Things to do in Playa Sámara
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Tabanuco
Named for the founder of Sámara, Esteban ‘Tabanuco’ Castillo Vargas, this posh beachfront bar-restaurant is the most upscale and romantic eatery in town. The open-air deck with driftwood beams is bathed in twinkling lights. The international menu features seafood and grilled meats. Don’t miss the crema de mariscos (cream of seafood soup).
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Soda Sheriff Rustic
One of a few classic sodas in town. The beachside location sells itself, though the filling breakfasts, killer casados and low, low prices aren’t too bad either.
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Soda Sheriff Rustic
One of a few classic sodas in town. The beachside location sells itself, though the filling breakfasts, killer casados and low, low prices aren’t too bad either.
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Shake Joe’s
This hip beachside spot is awash with chilled-out electronica and cool, calm travelers lounging on the huge wooden outdoor couches. You can grab a burger here after your surf session, but the ambience is tops when the sun goes down and the drinks start to flow.
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Restaurante Las Brasas
This upscale Spanish restaurant on the main street has all the signature dishes including tortillas, paellas and roast suckling pig. It also has a well-stocked wine cellar, and the upstairs balcony is perfect for people-watching.
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Restaurante Jardín Marino
This large, airy soda is always packed, and if you sit yourself down and order something here, you’ll see why. The typical food is fresh and of high quality – a casado de pescado here means grilled fish, not a deep-fried filet. It’s on the main road leading to the beach.
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Koss Art Gallery
Visit Jaime at his outdoor studio on the beach, where he frequently displays his richly hued works in the high season. Call ahead for a viewing.
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Galería Dragonfly
You’ll see Leonardo Palacios’ mural as you walk the main street; the gallery inside houses uniquely wrought jewelry in all sorts of media such as leather and seashells, along with sculpture, paintings and decorative pieces in a very organic style.
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El Lagarto
Grilled meats are the big draw at this beachfront alfresco restaurant draped by old trees. Watching the chefs work their magic on the giant wood-fired oven is part of the fun. Our New York strip steak was cooked to perfection. Wash it all down with the biggest margaritas you’ve ever seen. It’s a bit touristy and pricey but worth the splurge.
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Casa Esmeralda
A favorite with locals, the extensive menu here has a good selection of Tico and international dishes. We loved the fish with avocado sauce, and the friendly staff. There are also a few sunny but overpriced rooms for rent upstairs.
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Al Manglar
Consistently the best restaurant in town, this thatched-roof, open-air restaurant serves some of the best Italian food in town at reasonable prices. The pasta dishes such as gnocchi and ravioli are real winners. Pizza-lovers, don’t miss the Manglar special, with ham, bacon, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms, cooked to perfection. It’s tucked on a side street behind El Lagarto.
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Wing Nuts
The local zip-line operator is Wing Nuts, located on the eastern outskirts of town off the main paved road.
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Samara Fishing Trip
The French-owned Samara offers a variety of inshore and offshore sportfishing trips.
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Pura Vida Dive Center
This highly recommended dive center arranges diving, snorkeling, fishing and dolphin- and whale-watching tours. Or get your PADI open-water certification (US$400) in three or four days. Ecuadorian dive master Oscar has thousands of dives under his belt, speaks English and has excellent equipment. His shop is located across from Posada Matilori, about 100m east of the main road.
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Jesse’s Sámara Surf School
The experienced and personable Jesse has been teaching wannabe surfers for years, as does his daughter Sunrise. Their friendly, expert instruction is highly recommended by readers (private one-hour lesson US$40). Jesse also arranges custom surfing safaris to secret spots all over the coast and offers yoga and pilates classes.
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Flying Crocodile
Several kilometers west, in Playa Buenavista, the Flying Crocodile offers ultralight flights (20-minute tour US$75). It also offers flight lessons (US$170 per hour).
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Centro de Idiomas Intercultura
Has a campus right on the beach. Language courses begin at US$285 per week, or US$425 with homestay accomodations.
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C&C Surf School
Another great choice, which gives one-hour private lessons for US$30; the fee includes another hour of board rental afterwards, and the school donates 10% from every surf lesson to a local children’s school and a turtle conservation project. It also rents kayaks and surfboards and arranges a variety of tours and trips throughout Costa Rica. Its shop at the north end of town also has a basketball court, skate ramp and gym.
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