Discover the Best of Playa Carrillo and Samara Beach, Costa Rica
Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica is home to several popular beach towns that have taken advantage of the region’s outstanding beauty.
Sámara, a small but developed beach town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, is a popular destination for families looking for a relaxing vacation. Sámara, on the Nicoya Peninsula, has a more protected bay than neighboring towns like Nosara and Santa Teresa. This, combined with the relative tranquility of the town, makes it a top choice among Costa Rican beach towns for vacationers.
On the other hand, Carrillo Beach, Samara’s sister beach, is located three kilometers to the south. Like its larger neighbor Samara, Carrillo is a laid-back beach town full of palm trees, but on a much smaller scale. Due to the low background noise, guests can rest and recharge here.
Everyone can say without a doubt that these are among the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, given the incredible scenery and sunsets they offer.
Playa Carrillo and Samara are accessible by air from San Jose and the Liberia Airport. The Sámara Domestic airstrip is where flights land, but it’s closer to Carrillo than to Sámara. Also, there’s a small airstrip in Nosara, but it’s mainly used for private flights.
The area is also accessible via bus from Nicoya and San Jose, or you can arrive in your own car.
If you’re planning to explore Guanacaste, don’t think twice and visit these fantastic places. Learn about the many things to do and let Find My Costa Rica provide you with personalized, premium attention.
Things to Do in Samara, Costa Rica
Samara has many of the conveniences of a large city, but it retains the feel of a friendly, laid-back beach town. Downtown Samara is a significant selling point for the city. There are many restaurants, surf schools, hip boutiques, travel agencies, and small hotels in the downtown area right next to the beach.
Many tourists to Samara don’t venture far from the beautiful beach, but the area is rich in natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Here are some things to do that will lead you to secluded pools, beaches, and forests.
Water Activities
- Swim in the calm water
- Learn to surf in the nice waves
- Practice diving and snorkeling
- Explore the coral reef just offshore
- Visit Playa Barrigona
- Practice Kayaking or take a boat ride
- Go to Playa Carillo
- Visit Izquierda Beach, a secluded beach with a natural swimming pool
Adventure
- Go hiking on the Werner-Sauter Biological Reserve
- Take a turtle nesting night tour
- Visit the macaw parrot breeding center
- Observe the abundant wildlife
- Visit the Belen Waterfall
- Take a horseback riding tour
- Rent a Scooter or ATV
Things to Do in Playa Carrillo
Playa Carrillo, on the Nicoya Peninsula in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, is where you should go for a relaxing beach vacation. Puerto Carrillo is a small town with such a chill atmosphere that even Costa Ricans enjoy visiting, especially around national holidays.
The town’s economy revolves mainly around catering to tourists. Carrillo has everything you could want for a relaxing vacation, like comfortable hotels and delicious dining options. Also, you can join exciting outdoor activities like hiking and camping and educational opportunities like dolphin and whale watching.
Additionally, you can find the following:
Adventure
- Hiking and camping tours
- Dolphin and whale watching
- ATV and off-road tour
- Go horseback riding
- Sport fishing tours
Relaxation
- Hotels and vocational rentals
- Practice Yoga
- Take a surf lesson
- Local cuisine
- Take a boat ride
- Boutique Hotels
- Enjoy beautiful sunsets
Carrillo & Samara Beach Weather
In both Samara and Carrillo, you can expect near-constant sunshine and the typical tropical climate, which includes both a dry and a rainy season. The dry season typically runs from around the start of December to the end of April, while the wet season typically runs from around the beginning of May to the end of November.
September and October are the rainiest months. A typical rainy day consists of sunny and hot mornings followed by cloudy skies and occasional showers in the late afternoons and evenings.
Samara and Carrillo experience average daytime highs in the low 90s Fahrenheit (32-35 C) and drop to the high 70s Fahrenheit (22-23 C) at night.
Want Help Planning a Trip to Samara or Carrillo?
Escape to the breathtaking beaches of Samara and Carrillo in Costa Rica! Experience the ultimate getaway with our premium vacation services. As you can see, Carrillo and Samara have many exciting things to do.
From stunning oceanfront accommodations to thrilling outdoor activities, we have everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. You can choose from a wide range of adventurous or relaxing activities to please your heart.
If you need help creating the perfect itinerary to explore the area and have a memorable holiday, our vacation experts at Find My Costa Rica are ready to guide you through the best options.
Contact us now, and let us show you the beauty and adventure of Costa Rica.
FAQS
1. Is Samara, Costa Rica touristy?
Yes, Playa Samara is touristy. It is a tiny but beautiful town located in the country’s northwest. Fewer than two thousand people call this place home. The city relies on its beautiful scenery and high-quality services to attract visitors rather than flashy architecture or trendy stores and bars. It’s widely regarded as one of Costa Rica’s prettiest beaches.
2. Is Samara, Costa Rica, safe?
In general, Samara is safe; however, the same “rules” of common sense should be applied here as they would everywhere else.
The city of Samara is a very secure destination for vacationers. Most people can communicate in English; public services are generally trustworthy; it is safe for women to travel alone, and, outside of rural places, the water straight from the tap is safe to drink.
3. What is Samara, Costa Rica, known for?
Playa Samara, Costa Rica, is well known for its stunning beaches fringed by palm and coconut trees. Costa Rica’s Playa Samara is the country’s most well-known and popular beach.
You won’t find a more stunning beach in Costa Rica than this one. The fact that a reef shields it is a significant plus.
4. Is Samara Beach good for swimming?
Because of the coral reef located offshore, the water in the large cove might be relatively calm. It is possible to swim and participate in other water-related activities, but you have to be careful. Nonetheless, this area is visited by surfers who find perfect waves to practice the exciting sport.
5. How far are Carrillo Beach and Samara from San Jose?
It takes around four or five hours to drive from San Jose to Samara and Carrillo; however, this time can vary greatly depending on the traffic and the condition of the road. There is also the option of flying into Samara. The flight takes forty minutes from San Jose. You can also fly into the Liberia Airport, which is closer than San Jose.
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