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How is the vibe? We are thinking of 3/4 nights in Samara after Monteverde and then on to Drake. We would love a more authentic feel to the town, not all American expats. If you do any tours, a lot of times they include transportation too. Apparently its been renovated this year. Several years ago, the municipality decided to construct two pontoon walkways one at the police station, the other down the far end at Cangrejal. 320 Square Feet Age Built In 2018 Levels 1 Floor (s) Last Updated: December 23, 2021 Location: Latin America > Costa Rica Address: C. Smara, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica Project Type (s): Multi-Family Residential, Short Term Rental Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Units: 2 Note: Map location may not be exact. Then I blew out my knee while working with one of our draft horses, and I needed surgery. All have wildlife to see, but Montezuma and Samara has the best hiking. At this price, renters can expect Costa Rican-style amenities, which may include line-drying laundry and bathrooms equipped with electric shower heads. Do you have any idea about the mosquitoes that time of year? Its a great spot for kids too. We were looking at Nosara, but heard it can get to be quite a dust-bomb and everything is covered in dust because of the dryness and heat. Youll miss sunset, which is a bummer, but its better than driving in the dark that far. If you did have a car, though, you would be able to explore to the north and south (Nosara, Punta Isidra, etc). Sierpe is quite far from Samara so if you have found someone to take you there for $65 a person, that is a very cheap option. Looking at La Hermosa, Samara, Esterillo Oeste. Montezuma and Samara both have snorkeling opportunities and you can do SUP in Nosara and Samara. I heard there was a shared shuttle to Samara but it leaves earlier. Thank you for help!! Cost of living In samara? - Costa Rica Forum - Tripadvisor I still listen to a lot of music, but now its entirely for fun and enjoyment. My boyfriend and I find it hard to decide on whether to go visit Samara or Montezuma after Manuel Antonio. A lot of people who visit Tamarindo, or read about it on the internet, think of moving here because they too want to have a peaceful life living in nature. Your site is fanatstic. For the drive back to the Liberia airport from Samara, is there anything to see or do along the way? It has an excellent 24/7 private medical clinic nearby (BeachSide) and Hospital Metropolitano has a small satellite office nearby as well. Local handmade art and jewelry can be found in the Mom & Pop boutiques on the main road in and out of Samara. Gusto Beach is one of the best spots in town. Definitely not all day, though you will want to bring repellent. Are cab rides pretty affordable to get around for the week? Social media has not, nor does it really serve our town (its no longer a village) well. Thanks again for all the information. The downtown abuts the beach and is full of restaurants, trendy boutique shops, tour operators, and some small hotels. Youll get the calm beach in Samara and wildlife in Manuel Antonio. The hotel has four types of rooms, including some larger family rooms able to accommodate six people. As your eyes open, you register a glorious sunrise peaking over the tops of the tree covered hills outside out windows, and you hear the songs of a dozen species of birds enter your room with a cool breeze from the sea. I am fairly sure that we saw bicycles for rent last time we were in Samara, but if you are coming for a month, it may be more economical to buy an inexpensive bike at the Maxi Pali in Nicoya and then resell it when you leave. Samara is a good place for kids and will be a nice spot for your family. Microbar has the largest selection of local craft beers on tap that weve ever seen in Costa Rica. It has proven to be an extremely popular event that everyone looks forward to, and attendance has been very consistent, even as the months and seasons change. How difficult will it be to get taxis to pick us up? First, thank you for blogging. We are thinking Nosara or Samara but open to other suggestions and why.. Travel really is the only thing you can buy that does make you richer. It was hectic, and rewarding, but I was very stressed. Summary of cost of living in Samara, Russia: A family of four estimated monthly costs are (148,651.5) without rent (using our estimator). For decades we lived in rural Vermont, in the cold but breathtakingly beautiful mountains of the Northeast Kingdom. I just read an above post about attacks with machetes, and it scares me a little! Tamarindo is bigger and has more restaurants and bars, and more of a party scene. We are updating it regularly. But looks like it is improving. $920. They did have a small arribada in early March so you never know. Our Rental Car Discount Page has a lot of information about renting a car. Cheers. Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica 2023. The temperature is very comfortable and you snap a few pictures of the kids and the changing colors of the sky, sitting next to the one you love. The western shore of theGuanacaste Peninsula, where we now live, is filled with tiny tourist towns like ours, where you can buy fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables at the soccer pitch downtown daily. The forest is still pretty, though, and theres a decent amount of wildlife around town. Dinner was better than any dinner back at home. Hey guys- thanks for all the helpful info. All this info is super helpful. Hope you both enjoy Costa Rica! Usually, two or three nights a week I do yoga at Ser Om Shanti in town, where the angelic (and very experienced) Mariel Marmorato guides us through our practice. Could you suggest a route? Is there a bus we could take from Manuel Antonio to Samara for a reasonable? The holiday home provides guests with a patio, pool views, a seating area, cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge . The waves are bigger in Nosara if that makes any difference to you and snorkeling is better in Samara for that reason. I am arriving at LIR on Aug. 16th but not until 3pm. Look at Cahuita on the Caribbean side too. You can do yoga, surf lessons, and there are monkeys in the rea. Traveling with young children in Costa Rica is fairly easy too. If it was one on one, they could make it very kid friendly. we will be renting our house as we get to know the market. Last trip, we visited Playa Hermosa (northern one) and really liked La Gaviota Tropical hotel. The beach in Samara is much calmer and better for swimming with young children, so personally, I would lean towards that. Its a small town that will always hold a special place in your heart and that will change your life. Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and Arenal all appeal to us. Are there any rainforests and waterfalls nearby? ICE has it in Manuel Antonio as well and sometimes we hear complaints of it going out. This bakery is a little off the main drag but easily found by looking for the big Boulangerie sign on the front of the building. Some businesses will have closed permanently but there should still be plenty to choose from. Living in Samara for a month with kids - Playa Samara Forum Hotel Belvedere is a favorite among visitors. Do they run at certain times? It sets itself apart from any other place with a perfect blend of locals and foreigners for a cultural explosion. then take the boat taxi in Sierpe to Drake. Now on to the rest of the Samara Costa Rica travel guide. We are returning to Samara in the New Year after enjoying it so much last February. Hi Lori, There is a Pali in Samara that is priced well (Walmart owned). Suggestions on something to do that day near or on the way to San Jose? Hi Pam, Yes, Samara sounds like what youre looking for. The staff at Villas Kalimba is very friendly and helpful. We would ask your vacation rental host if they have the number for a trusted taxi driver then you can just use them the whole time youre there. We are going second week in april and are booking a place this week. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This hostel is a great option for backpackers looking for an inexpensive place to stay close to town. Thank you, Costa Rica Surf Trips is a great surf company in Samara. Hi Nancy, Heres a map with the route we recommend. Youve finished your coffee and maybe stopped for a second at Locanda or another cafe right along the beachfront. ARTS AND CULTURE. Samara is a great option for a mixed group. Splitting your time is a good idea. I feel like we could definitely find a cheap bus to San Jose on August 3, for our departure flight on the 4th. I dont mind taking a hopper plane for in-country travel want to make the most of my short time there. We are 3 couples looking for a less touristy, fun, beach town in Costa Rica for extended stays. On our last day (28th) we will end our trip at Manuel Antonio National Park before going back to San Jose for the team to fly home. The local residents have managed to keep this small yet special town undisturbed with an amazing four-mile stretch of beach and dirt roads. Hi Katie, Yes, you can rent SUP boards from some of the surf companies right in town. Hi there, My husband and I have our 3 children with us (ages 6, 8, and 10) and many place charge $40-50 per person. Ill be with my 10 year old daughter and didnt want to rent a car. Good luck with the house search! 2. This makes it a decent place to swim and also enjoy water sports. Thanks! Is it possible to rent a car for a day trip or are there enough local drivers that we could just arrange the trips with them? I have a place to stay. My husband and I are then going to stay an extra week to enjoy a beach. Smara, Guanacaste Costa Rica - Go Visit Costa Rica Only September and October can be very rainy where you can have several hours of extremely heavy rain. We have no car and will start with Tortuguero, then Puerto Viejo and finally Samara. Required fields are marked *. Hi Peggy, It is warm here year-round and February will be dry season when it is the hottest. Have a great trip! Unfortunately, there isnt a cocoa plantation near Samara. Yet, half-days in front of the computer, followed by cellphone conversations at the beach, were still fueling my Type-A personality, so I finally gave that up and retired. I am wondering if Samara would get old after 2 weeks. This includes rent, food, yoga, and small getaways. Hi Nigel, Costa Rica just announced that the land borders will reopen starting on April 5th. I dont think four nights is necessarily too long to spend in Montezuma. Samara, Nicoya Peninsula - Costa Rica 2023 Travel Guide | Anywhere Is it mostly like a short downpour every afternoon kind of a thing, or is it just a lot of rain all day? thanx. My husband had a steel plate in his neck and I had a bum knee. Heres a link to a post with more information: Rainy Season in Costa Rica How Wet Is It? Hi Debbie, Samara might get old after two weeks, it is a fairly small town, but it is a good spot if you wont have a car. Im a little leery about driving at night, especially our 1st night. If you want things within walking distance, you would be better off somewhere like Villas Kalimba, Casa Del Mar, or Hotel Belvedere. job at a brokerage firm and moved to Costa Rica. During all my years living through Michigan and Illinois winters, daydreaming of tropical getaways, I now know it was a beach town just like Playa Samara I was longing for. The Costa Rica Beach Town That Tropical Dreams Are Made Of By Jackie Minchillo Town is quiet in the morning; a few local vendors set up roadside shops where they sell wood carvings, tapestries, and the like. Microbar is definitely the coolest place in town. Samara looks like the ultimate base to travel to and from other smaller parts, however my question is really around Montezuma, is 4 nights too many? Thank you for a great article! $115-250 double occupancy. And locals often ride horseback along the water, some offering rides to tourists, but some simply enjoying the serenity of gentle waves and salty air. We are flying in mid February to Liberia but are staying in Samara. We think nine days per destination is fine. We are looking for a beach town with amenities such as grocery stores and stores that sell baby necessities, preferably with everything within walking distance. We love the idea of monkeys visiting and seeing the iguanas. As for the small, beach village vibe well, that disappeared a long while ago although its probably subjective depending on where you come from but when I first arrived to live in Samara in 2011 the gentle, fishing community vibe was about as sweet as it gets with laid-back unobtrusive bars and a smattering of restaurants now Samara is a drinking town with a fishing problem. Looks like a good option if youre considering it longer-term because of the freestanding bungalows with kitchens, living space, etc. Re: Cost of living In samara? Tracy. Of course Costa Rica and Samara have crime just like anywhere else in the world, but its not a scary place. We like to have something planned for each day and then be able to wing it for the other part of the day. For schools, we have only lived on the central and southern Pacific coast with kids so arent sure where the best options are in those other areas. . Hi Susan, Shared shuttles are often cheaper, but with 4 people, it actually ends up being less expensive to go with a private shuttle for this trip (a shared shuttle would be $50 per person). Any feedback on the program or other ideas for our son that will help build his Spanish? My husband and I are travelling to Costa Rica in November with our 2 small children (4 and 1). I read about the flooding and wonder if there are problems with the roads from San Jos? The quality isnt great but its a good place for dry goods and the basics and then you can supplement with good produce from the farmers market. . Samara Costa Rica: Family-Friendly Beach Town Guide Were Matt & Jenn, a couple who left Boston to pursue a dream of traveling, living, and starting a family in Costa Rica. Private shuttles are nice because they have a custom departure time so they can pick you up right from the airport immediately after you arrive. I love getting up early and running on the beach, which lines a big bay where sport-fishing boats and catamarans that offer sunset snorkeling tours are moored. We are planning ahead to our 2nd Christmas trip in Costca Rica. Hope your family has a great trip! Here are some of the best places weve tried. There is a special dialect around the Peninsula. Hi Mike, It really depends on where youre visiting. See our Drake Bay post for info on the boat taxi. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are still many wonderful, inspirational and natural-world adventures to experience except for many that means a quad-bike tour of some 10-12 noisy vehicles tearing around and raising the dust levels in dry season without any due care or attention. Expert consulting for future expats in Costa Rica who wish to fast track the process of their move by receiving the specialized information they need, trustworthy connections within the country, and high level 1:1 support through the entire process. Talk to your Airbnb host about security at the house to make sure your belongings will be safe when youre not there, and if you will have a rental car, dont leave anything valuable unattended inside. You pick a prime location with uninterrupted views for the approaching sunset. My only concern is that our adventure will take place during the middle of August this year. Should we take the ferry to get there? Thanks! There arent any big attractions between the two towns, but youll get to see the countryside and some small beaches on the way. We were also hoping to see turtles nesting. My husband and I would love your advice and possibly help. The wide cove has relatively calm water due to a coral reef just offshore. However, we are also a bit afraid that Montezuma might be too quiet during rain season. Development has hit the northern Pacific coast, and those interested in luxury condos and world-class cuisine dont have to look far. Costa Rica Guide - A Stable, Easy, and Affordable Retirement Gem Hi Mary, I think there are some in Nosara, about 35 minutes away. What is the best way to get from Samara to Monteverde? Good luck with renting it out! What would your recommendation be for a day of exploring? Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. Samara Beach is one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches. Vacation Home Casa Maritima, Smara, Costa Rica - Booking.com We are planning to go from Samara to El Castillo (near Lake Arenal). Very informative, Hi Evelyn, Either would work as both are walkable and have a lot of restaurants/amenities in the main area of town. The turtles nest at beaches around there too and at remote beaches south of Samara. The climate is warm and sunny year-round, which is ideal for those who enjoy a tropical lifestyle. The sand is bright white, the water is intensely blue, and it feels far removed from civilization. Does anyone know if there are Internet cafe near Mareas Academy? Our daughter at the time, was in kindergarten and she fell back off the dining chair where we were staying and fell 15-20 feet down a hill. Manuel Antonio is another family-friendly destination with a ton of wildlife. You will find 20-somethings grabbing a beer at one of the beachside bars, couples strolling at sunset, and children at play in the calmer ocean waters. Great article. Each has a distinct feel so maybe read our summary of each place in our Destinations Summary Guide to see which sounds the most appealing. Toucans and Parrots would be awesome, but I know I wont see those in Samara really. Hope you both have a great visit! When I first moved toTamarindo, it was an up-and-coming fishing village that drew surfers from around the world. There are also rental car companies in town when you want to take a day trip. It draws both young professionals and those looking for a gratifying and peaceful second career. In February I dont expect it will be so hot, so Im counting on the hike being bearable for all of us. 16 years later, what I can see and bear witness to is the [so called] first world coming to stay and trashing the place. We are planning to start our trip in Jaco (which we love), head down to UVita and then we are trying to decide between Nosara or Samara. Are there SUP boards to rent in Samara or should we bring our own? I speak a patched-together Spanish which is extremely useful in this Latin American country. Smara: A Travel Guide to Costa Rica's Coolest Beach Town You can often find better prices for rentals on there, but all the beach towns are getting more expensive since a lot of people are moving to/spending extended time in Costa Roca right now. Im trying to plan a few other destinations. Hi Carrie, It sounds like Samara would be a good spot for your family. Other than that, no. Accommodation, food, and entertainment are all reasonably priced, making it an affordable place to live. Good morning, Hi Manu, I think internet is better overall in Samara compared to Nosara. Costa Rica is known for being a popular tourist destination, but Smara offers a different perspective. The hike through the Werner-Sauter Reserve is moderately difficult and you need a guide to visit. jos. Everyone heads back to the car for the brief drive home and has a nap in the shade or under the comfort of the air conditioner. Enjoy! During the dry season, you can take the shortcut through the riverbed from Samara and get there in 15-20 minutes. Thanks so much for the great information you provide! Further thoughts? There are a few of them if you search. Link to . With the family well-rested and refreshed, you all head out the door again for the short journey into town and check out a few of the cute boutique shops along the main street of Samara. While diving is typically better in Samara, youalsocan snorkel. Hope that helps! Its much more walkable than Brasilito/Conchal. Suggested stops welcome. 506 Tennis Center and Colibr Tennis Club. Youve walked a glorious mile or so along Playa Samara. It is about one mile inland from the main road. This post on Samara is very intriguing. Im wondering if you think its necessary to rent a car for the daily life in Samara or if we could get by renting a car only for weekend excursions (and then if we would have to get back to the airport to get the car or if there is anything local in Samara)? If you think of it when youre ready, shoot us an email with the details and we can keep it in mind for clients. At the center, you will get to see hundreds of these charismatic birds coming back to the center to feed. But for others seeking a more authentic visit to Costa Rica, there is Samara. Playa Samara, Costa Rica | A Guide to Slow Travel Are there any agricultural tours near there? Hi Jenn and Matt. Share on Pinterest. On your short walk back home, you stop in at the little grocery market to pick up breakfast: a fresh papaya, pineapple and mango, some local cheese and a couple of plantains. Typically that time of year, we have sunny mornings then an hour or two of rain in the afternoon or evening. Dolphin watching tours are around $60 per person. Hi Jen, The only place close to Samara that we know of with public hiking trails is Samara Trails, which we talk about in this post. There is a Spanish school there and its a good destination to visit in rainy season. We know if an excellent Spanish school in San Jos that also offers online classes. Its small too and has a nice community of locals and expats. Just make sure the reviews mention something about that before booking. We are flying into San Jose and renting a 44 b/c the prices to Liberia are high. Each villa is equipped with a kitchen for when you want to eat in, and the owner/chef is sometimes available to cook meals as well. A couple of other places are El Cactus Hostel for $34 and Hostel Las Mariposas for $25. Samara sounds like a great town with some nightlife to offer. Manuel Antonio is out of the way in the wrong direction plus you will get beach time in Samara. Hi Kevin, Right around the main area of Samara isnt too jungly. Do we need to book this ahead of time? Expats Living In Samara Enjoy "First Fridays." - We Love Costa Rica