Sámara Hotels and Carrillo Beach Hotels in Costa Rica

Samara and Carrillo Beaches Best Hotels and Attractions

Two of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches, Samara and Carrillo, beckon on the northwestern “Gold Coast” of Guanacaste province, just a 2-hour drive from Liberia International Airport.

Samara Beach boasts a long, gently curving stretch of sand nestled in a wide, shallow bay. Hardy, small trees and coconut palms above the high-tide line offer welcome shade from the midday sun. Behind the beach, the town of Samara provides a variety of lodging options, restaurants, grocery stores, bars, and gift shops. Activities in Samara include snorkeling on the north end of the beach, sea kayaking to Chora Island, swimming, surf lessons, or simply relaxing and soaking up the laid-back atmosphere. Gentle, shallow waters make this beach ideal for families with children.

Just 10 minutes south lies Carrillo Beach, known for being one of Costa Rica’s cleanest beaches—a less-visited haven with near-empty shores. The clear sand and gentle waves make it the perfect place to spend a relaxing beach vacation. Carrillo has a nice boulevard in front of the beach where locals sell fresh coconut water to visitors. If you are lucky, you can discover a local “carrito de copos,” which, on a hot day, offers shaved ice with ice cream and condensed milk on top.

Best Things To Do In Samara and Carrillo Beaches

Samara Catamaran Seafari

Discover Samara Beach’s unique sights on this guided boat tour! Cruise through clear waters with playful bottlenose and spotted dolphins. During migration season (August-November), keep an eye out for humpback whales. Explore the vibrant underwater world at your own pace with the snorkeling gear provided. This tour is perfect for all ages and experience levels!

Nammbú Bechfront Bungalows is the best Samara and Carrillo hotel, a unique beach hotel to discover the local nature wonders.

Samara + Chora Island Stand Up Paddle & Snorkeling

Escape to Chora Island, a secluded paradise near Samara! This SUP and snorkel tour lets you paddle to the island’s white sand beach. Dive in and explore the hidden underwater world. Relax on the deserted shore with refreshing drinks and tropical fruits. Perfect for an active and scenic Costa Rican adventure!

Surrounded by natural beauty, one of the best Samara hotels is the Punta Islita Hotel which offers a truly unforgettable experience. It is also not far to explore Samara and Carrillo.

Sea Kayak Adventure

Kayak and snorkel your way to Chora Island off Samara Beach. Accessible to all levels, this tour includes a quick kayak lesson and roundtrip transport. Paddle through calm waters to the island’s pristine beach, ideal for sunbathing or snorkeling in the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. After exploring the underwater world, enjoy fresh fruit and drinks while soaking up the sun.

Fishing in Samara and Carrillo

Land your dream catch near Samara & Carrillo! Our expert guides will show you the best spots to hook jacks, snapper, grouper, and mackerel. All equipment and helpful tips included for a memorable fishing adventure. Enjoy year-round inshore fishing for snapper, roosterfish, amberjack, and more!

Surf Lessons

Want to learn to surf in beautiful Samara? We connect you with the area’s top instructors for private or group lessons. Playa Samara’s calm waters are perfect for beginners and families. Relax, learn from the pros, and catch some waves! Rentals available after your lesson.

Hiking Trails

Join us in visiting one of the only private reserves in Guanacaste. Located in Playa Samara, the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve’s paths will lead you to a fantastic hiking tour through the tropical dry forest. A habitat that is one of Central America’s most vulnerable and rare biomes, the characteristic of the dry forest is that the leaves fall from many trees for the six-month dry season. This is convenient because some animals are easier to see in the canopy, like the troops of howlers and white-faced monkeys and the many birds like parrots, toucans, trogons, and motmots. This hiking tour is perfect for Costa Rica birdwatching photography enthusiasts.

Carrillo Horseback Riding

Explore Carrillo’s beauty on horseback! Ride along sun-kissed beaches and through lush mountains. See monkeys and iguanas while your guide shares cool facts about the area’s nature. Enjoy stunning ocean views, feel the fresh air, and watch amazing sunsets – all on a comfy ride.

Macaw Conservation Project

The Macaw Recovery Network in Punta Islita, Costa Rica, works to preserve Scarlet Macaws (Lapa roja). Once extinct in the area, these red feathered friends are being reintroduced through a breeding program. Visitors can observe macaws in their natural habitat, supporting conservation efforts while witnessing these majestic creatures. Over 50 Scarlet Macaws have been released, creating a thriving reserve.

Wildlife Observation In Samara & Carrillo Beaches

Samara and Carrillo have great opportunities to see marine life, especially sea turtles, at the nearby beaches of Ostional and Corozalito and whales and dolphins in season. The place is also perfect for looking for animals and birds in the dry forest because there are significant remaining protected forest patches like the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve. Here are some of the interesting species you might encounter:

  • Among mammals, you can find White-faced capuchin monkeys, Howler monkeys, Coatis, Armadillos, and Tamandua Anteater.
  • Among birds: Gray-cowled Wood-Rail, Northern Jacana, Wood stork, Bare-throated Tiger-Heron, Boat-billed Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, Common Black Hawk, Roadside Hawk, Black-headed Trogon, Keel-billed Toucan, Turquoise-browed Motmot, Ringed Kingfisher, Amazon Kingfisher, White-whiskered Puffbird, Laughing Falcon, Crested Caracara, Northern Barred-Woodcreeper, Yellow-throated Euphonia.
  • Also, you can find: Basilisk Lizard, Central American Whip-tailed Lizard, Green Iguana, Boa Constrictor, Tropical Slider Turtle, American Crocodile.

Getting To Samara & Carrillo Beaches

Samara and Carrillo are a 2-hour, 112-kilometer (70-mile) drive from Liberia International Airport (LIR). If you’re planning to travel from elsewhere, several ways await to get you to these beautiful beaches.

Private Transfer by Bus

Relax on a scenic 5-hour, 222 km (140-mile) land transfer from San José in a private car with our bilingual drivers.

By Plane

Charter flights SJO directly to Nosara or Islita. Then a land transfer to Samara-Carrillo.

Shuttle Services

Opt for a more budget-friendly option with multiple stops.

Visit In Samara & Carrillo Beaches With Costa Rica Sun Tours

Samara and Carrillo are well-known, famous, and beautiful beaches in Guanacaste. Discover sea adventure tours, look for nesting sea turtles, practice surfing in calm waves, or relax on pristine beaches. Contact us to plan your perfect Guanacaste escape!