Tamarindo and Samara, Costa Rica

We treated ourselves to a long, relaxing 23-night visit to Costa Rica, spending 12 nights in Tamarindo followed by 11 nights in Sámara.

We usually pack as much as possible into our trips, but this time we wanted to slow down. We spent a lot of time relaxing on gorgeous beaches, working in coffee shops, enjoying local restaurants, and even joining a local gym.

Although both towns are on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, they offer very different experiences. Tamarindo is a busier tourist destination with plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife. Sámara is smaller, quieter, and ideal for travelers who want a slower pace.

Most places we visited accepted US dollars, Costa Rican colones, and credit cards, although some businesses accepted only cash to avoid credit card transaction fees.

All prices listed below are in U.S. dollars and reflect what we paid during our visit. Prices, opening hours, and business arrangements may have changed since then.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Tamarindo is a busy, tourist-oriented beach town with plenty to do. There are lots of restaurants, bars, shops, and day trips to keep you entertained during a longer stay.

It's a great choice if you're looking for plenty of shopping and dining options and a lively town atmosphere alongside a beautiful beach.

Where We Stayed: Casa Cometa Airbnb

We stayed at an Airbnb for the first time ever!

We usually stay in hotels, but since we were planning a longer visit, we wanted some extra space. We chose Casa Cometa, primarily because of its central location.

We were less than a block from a grocery store and several coffee shops, and only a five to ten-minute walk from the beach, restaurants, and shops.

Other selling points included a swimming pool, washer and dryer in the unit, coffee maker, air conditioning, and hot water. These amenities aren't always guaranteed in Costa Rican vacation rentals, so we specifically looked for them.

Our accommodation cost: $1,948 for 12 nights, approximately $162 per night.

Our Favorite Beach Spot

Our favorite place to relax was on the beach directly in front of Langosta Beach Club.

There was a large, shady stretch of sand and some of the calmest, least rocky water we found in the area.

The beach club charged $50 per day during our visit, but the beach itself was free to the public. We chose to relax on the public beach most days.

Langosta Beach Club also offered reasonably priced food and drinks. We ordered their fish casado several times for $15 each.

A casado is a traditional Costa Rican meal that typically includes rice, beans, plantains, salad, and a choice of protein. Their version also included a fried egg and tortilla, making it especially filling.

Top Experiences in Tamarindo

Sloth Forest, Waterfall, and Coffee and Chocolate Farm Tour

We booked a day trip through Viator to visit a sloth forest, waterfall, and coffee and chocolate farm.

Our favorite parts were the sloth forest, where we saw sloths, frogs, toucans, and even a viper snake, and the waterfall stop at the end, where we could cool off.

The coffee and chocolate farm was fun too, although it was designed for tourists and didn't feel quite as unique as the forest and waterfall.

Our cost: $180 per person.

Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands with TamaDive

Our two dives near the Catalina Islands with TamaDive were incredible!

We saw tons of fish, stingrays, giant manta rays, reef sharks, octopuses, starfish, and more.

The instructors also took underwater videos and sent them to us afterward at no additional charge, which was a wonderful bonus.

Our cost: $140 for two dives, or $180 if you added a short refresher course.

Tamarindo Night Market

The Tamarindo Night Market was a fun place to explore on Thursday evening.

There were food vendors, craft stalls, and live music. We didn't buy anything, but we enjoyed walking around and taking in the atmosphere.

Schedule during our visit: Thursdays, 6pm to 9pm.

Tama Market

Tama Market was similar to the Thursday night market, but with more breakfast-oriented food vendors and a farmers market atmosphere.

Schedule during our visit: Saturdays, 8am to 2pm.

Explore Calle Central

Calle Central is the main street running through Tamarindo, lined with bars, restaurants, and shops.

It's a great place for people watching, browsing stores, and stopping for a drink or snack whenever you need a break.

We enjoyed taking regular evening strolls along this street.

Gym Energy Fitness Tamarindo

Since we were staying for almost two weeks, we wanted to maintain our exercise routines.

Energy Fitness Tamarindo had everything we needed, including free weights, cardio equipment, and plenty of weight machines.

They offered day, week, and month passes, making it convenient for visitors.

Sunset Beach Walks

Costa Rica's Pacific coast is known for beautiful sunsets, and Tamarindo didn't disappoint.

We walked to the beach to watch the sunset most evenings during our visit. This quickly became one of our favorite daily routines.

Where to Eat and Drink in Tamarindo

Tamarindo wasn't as inexpensive as we expected. Many restaurant prices were comparable to those in the United States, likely because of the large number of tourists.

Restaurant bills generally included a 13% tax and 10% service charge, although these were sometimes already included in menu prices and sometimes added at the end.

Food Courts and Casual Dining

Jardín Tamarindo Food Truck Park: This outdoor food truck park had plenty of options. We ordered spicy fried rice and pad Thai from the Kampaii truck for $23 total.

Mercadito de Tamarindo: Another outdoor food court with a variety of options. We ate here twice:

• Two casados for $25 total.
• Two poke bowls for $35 total.
• Two beers for $8.

Soda Buffet El Estero: A good choice for budget-friendly local food on the edge of Tamarindo. We ordered two fish casados for $24. They also came with a delicious local tamarind drink.

Green Papaya: A fun restaurant with swings and traditional Latin-inspired dishes. We ordered a beef burrito and tuna bowl for $38. It was cash only during our visit.

Longboards: A casual barbecue restaurant. We ordered a three-meat barbecue platter and two beers for $28.73.

Breakfast, Coffee, and Smoothies

Waffle Monkey: We loved this cute little spot on the beach and visited twice.

• Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich plus a waffle with banana, honey, and coconut: $22.
• Apple pie waffle plus a waffle with banana, honey, and coconut: $25.

Deli Café: A good place for breakfast and pastries. We paid $8.95 for two pastries.

Breaking Bread: A popular bakery and coffee shop close to our Airbnb. We visited several times. Two bagels cost $2.40, and pastries were generally $3 to $4 each.

Pico Bistro: This was one of our favorite places to work because it had good Wi-Fi and was right on the beach. We visited several times.

• Two breakfast sandwiches and an iced latte: $28.76.
• Traditional Tico breakfast and an omelet: $24.31.

A Tico breakfast typically includes eggs, rice and beans, plantains, tortillas, and fried cheese.

Derecho Sagrado: An indoor coffee shop with knowledgeable staff and excellent food. We especially appreciated learning about the local coffees they served.

• Iced coffee and avocado toast: $14.
• Two smoothie bowls: $22.

Nalu: A stall in a small food court offering lots of smoothie bowl options. We ordered two Nalu bowls for $20.

Sno Shack: Located farther away in Langosta. We stopped for a smoothie that cost $11.

Beachfront Restaurants and Happy Hours

Langosta Beach Club: We ate here many times and loved its beachfront location. During our visit, they also had live music on Wednesdays from 4pm to 6pm.

• Ceviche and fish casado: $44.28.
• Chicken sandwich, shrimp salad, and two beers: $66.
• Burger and salad: $58.

Sharky's: A fun happy hour spot with excellent people watching. We enjoyed several visits.

• Two margaritas: $10.
• Two beers: $10.
• Two beers and 12 boneless wings: $20.
• Two casados: $37.

Walter's Place: This beachfront restaurant had a sports bar atmosphere and plenty of space. Two beers cost $8.

Handle Bar: Part bike shop and part craft beer bar, with lots of outdoor seating. Their grilled cheese sandwiches were delicious, and they offered complimentary popcorn that was some of the best we've tasted.

• Two beers: $15.
• Two grilled cheese sandwiches and two small beers: $35.10.

Vaquero / Witch's Rock / Volcano Brewing: A beachfront venue with great sunset views and live music on Friday evenings during our visit. We ordered four happy hour cocktails for $28.

Other Restaurants We Enjoyed

Nari: A cute Italian restaurant with sidewalk seating along Calle Central. We ordered Bolognese pasta and a personal supreme pizza for $45.71.

Naans and Curries: An upscale Indian restaurant with an extensive menu. They started our meal with a complimentary snack of crispy fried dough and dipping sauces. Roti, rice, and two curries cost $69.

Wok N Roll: An Asian restaurant with a large menu. We ordered Cantonese fried rice and Korean beef noodles for $37.40.

Ice Cream: We tried ice cream from several vendors around Tamarindo. A single scoop typically cost $3 to $4.

Transportation in Tamarindo

We took a private shuttle from Liberia International Airport to Tamarindo for $110.

The drive took approximately 90 minutes. The driver was great, the van was clean, and they even provided water and beer.

Public buses are available for significantly less money, although journeys generally take longer.

We also used Uber for short trips around Tamarindo. During our visit, rides were very affordable and generally cost around $4.

Sámara, Costa Rica

Sámara is much smaller and quieter than Tamarindo, so we spent a lot of our time relaxing on the beach and swimming in the ocean.

It's a great destination if you prefer a slower pace, fewer tourists, and a wide beach with plenty of space to yourself.

We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, local restaurants, wildlife tours, and evening beach walks.

Where We Stayed: Casita Ruiz Airbnb

We chose another Airbnb for our 11-night stay in Sámara.

Casita Ruiz had a fantastic location and was also the only accommodation we found with an in-unit washer and dryer.

There were laundromats in Sámara, but we preferred being able to do laundry whenever we wanted.

We were less than a block from grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and other shops. The beach was approximately a five-minute walk away.

Other selling points included a pool, coffee maker, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and hot water.

Our accommodation cost: $2,260 for 11 nights, approximately $205 per night.

Our Favorite Beach Spot

Our favorite place to relax was under a group of palm trees just to the left of the ramp at the end of the main street leading onto the beach.

The area was near surfboard rentals and a massage table, but we could always find a comfortable, shady spot.

We spent many hours here relaxing, reading, and enjoying the ocean.

Top Experiences in Sámara

Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Tour

We booked a dolphin watching and snorkeling tour and were amazed by how many dolphins we saw!

We had recently taken a dolphin watching tour in the United States without seeing a single dolphin, so our expectations were pretty low.

Fortunately, this tour was completely different. We saw lots of dolphins, a couple of sea turtles from the boat, and some interesting fish while snorkeling at the end.

Our cost: $136 for two people.

Guided Nature Hike

We took a guided nature hike through the local forest.

Our guide did a great job spotting birds, but what surprised us most were the incredible trees.

The alligator tree and spiny cedar had trunks and branches covered in fascinating spikes. We'd never seen anything quite like them.

Our cost: $106 for two people.

Mangrove Kayaking Tour

We also booked a mangrove kayaking tour.

We kayaked upstream through a mangrove river toward the ocean, then enjoyed a leisurely return trip with the current.

Along the way, we saw birds, monkeys, and bats. A large pelican was our favorite sighting.

We also stopped at a beach where we found hermit crabs and colorful rocks.

One unexpected highlight was the food. This tour company provided some of the best snacks we've ever had on an organized excursion!

Our cost: $136 for two people.

Ziplining with Wing Nuts

We chose the Adventure Package with Wing Nuts.

The experience included five different ziplines, a rope bridge, and a final Superman-style zipline ride.

It was an exciting way to experience the forest canopy. We also saw several monkeys and birds while we were up in the trees.

Our cost: $80 per person, or $160 for two people.

Saturday Farmers Market

We enjoyed visiting the Sámara Saturday Farmers Market on both Saturdays during our stay.

The market featured local crafts, food vendors, and live music.

If you enjoy supporting local businesses and browsing handmade products, this is a great place to spend part of your Saturday morning.

Live Music at Limey's and Microbar

Several bars and restaurants in Sámara had live music on many evenings.

Our favorite spots were Limey's and Microbar.

During our visit, Limey's performances generally started around 6:30pm, while Microbar's started around 7:30pm.

We didn't find a consistently published schedule, so our approach was simply to walk past and see who was playing.

Evening Beach Walks

We walked along the beach most evenings, usually around sunset when the temperature was cooler.

The sun set behind the hills, and the beach became especially lively as locals came out to enjoy the cooler air.

It was one of our favorite parts of staying in Sámara.

Beach Yoga with Mandala

Several businesses offered yoga near the beach, but we chose a class with Laura through Mandala.

The class was held in a shaded pavilion, and yoga mats were provided.

It was a lovely way to stay active while enjoying the slower pace of Sámara.

Where to Eat and Drink in Sámara

We found Sámara slightly less expensive than Tamarindo, although restaurant bills could still include the 13% tax and 10% service charge.

We also encountered more cash-only businesses here. Both US dollars and Costa Rican colones were widely accepted during our visit.

Food Courts and Casual Dining

Natural Center: An outdoor food court with several dining options. We ordered two fish entrées and an iced latte from Mr. Pelicano for $45.

Mercadito de Sámara: Another outdoor food court with a variety of restaurants. We ate here three times:

• Two poke bowls from Ono Poke: $35.
• Two curry entrées from The Curry Palace: $29, cash only during our visit.
• Four empanadas: $15, cash only during our visit.

Pizza Paraíso: Despite its name, this restaurant served excellent tacos. We visited several times and ordered six tacos for $22.

Restaurants We Loved

El Dorado: A cute outdoor restaurant serving fresh seafood. Our meal was excellent, and the portions were large. If you're looking for a particularly good meal and don't mind spending a little more, we'd recommend it.

We ordered two cocktails, seafood pasta, and tuna steak for $64.

Ahora Sí: An authentic Italian restaurant specializing in homemade pasta.

We ordered two glasses of wine, bread, meat ravioli, and shrimp and fish pasta for $61. Everything was delicious, but the meat ravioli was incredible!

Dolce Vita: A romantic beachfront restaurant serving pizza and Italian dishes.

In the evening, you can sit beneath a tree decorated with hanging lights, creating a lovely atmosphere.

We ordered two beers and two pizzas for $60.

Limey's: We visited several times for happy hour and live music.

The restaurant had a great location on the main street for people watching. During happy hour, two beers cost just $5.

We also had dinner here once, ordering the fish of the day and chicken tenders for $25.

Breakfast, Coffee, and Smoothies

Marea Surf Shop: This tiny café had air conditioning and a large selection of smoothies, smoothie bowls, and toast. Everything we tried was delicious.

• Two large smoothie bowls: $22.
• Avocado toast and peanut butter banana toast: $12.

Roots Bakery: We stopped here for breakfast pastries on several mornings.

It was a very popular spot, and there was often a line. The pastries were well worth the wait, and we could easily see it becoming a regular breakfast stop for anyone staying in Sámara.

Our cost: Approximately $4 per pastry.

Mr. Walter's: A wonderful spot for a traditional breakfast.

The restaurant was essentially a small shack on a quiet street near the farmers market, with just two tables. We loved its simple, charming atmosphere.

Our cost: Two breakfast entrées for $16, cash only during our visit.

Craft Beer and Nightlife

Microbar: A tiny, charming bar just off the beach with an extensive craft beer selection and live music on many evenings.

We loved the atmosphere and visited for drinks and music.

Our cost: Two beers for $16.

Limey's: Another favorite for happy hour and live music. Two beers cost $5 during happy hour, making it one of the best drink deals we found in town.

Transportation in Sámara

We used private shuttles for our longer journeys because we wanted the flexibility to choose our departure times.

Our shuttle from Tamarindo to Sámara cost $140 and took approximately two hours. The van was clean, comfortable, and had excellent air conditioning.

For our return journey from Sámara to Liberia International Airport, we also booked a private shuttle. The trip took approximately two hours and cost $152.

We found the shuttle drivers professional and the vehicles consistently clean.

Private shuttles are especially convenient for families or larger groups, since the cost can be shared among passengers.

Shared shuttles were another option, generally costing around $50 per person during our visit. They operate on fixed schedules and involve traveling with other passengers.

If you're traveling alone or as a couple, have limited luggage, and can be flexible with departure times, a shared shuttle may be a more economical choice.

Our Costa Rica Travel Costs

Here's a quick reference of our main accommodation, transportation, and activity expenses across Tamarindo and Sámara. These are historical prices from our trip, not current quotes.

Accommodation

• Casa Cometa Airbnb, Tamarindo: $1,948 for 12 nights.
• Casita Ruiz Airbnb, Sámara: $2,260 for 11 nights.
• Total accommodation: $4,208 for 23 nights, approximately $183 per night.

Transportation

• Private shuttle from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo: $110.
• Private shuttle from Tamarindo to Sámara: $140.
• Private shuttle from Sámara to Liberia Airport: $152.
• Total private shuttle transportation: $402.
• Short Uber trips in Tamarindo: Approximately $4 per ride.

Tamarindo Tours and Activities

• Sloth Forest, Waterfall, and Coffee/Chocolate Farm Tour: $180 per person.
• TamaDive Catalina Islands Scuba Diving: $140 for two dives, or $180 with a refresher course.
• Langosta Beach Club: $50 per day for club access during our visit; public beach access was free.
• Tamarindo Night Market and Tama Market: Free to browse.

Sámara Tours and Activities

• Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling Tour: $136 for two people.
• Guided Nature Hike: $106 for two people.
• Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $136 for two people.
• Wing Nuts Ziplining Adventure Package: $160 for two people.
• Saturday Farmers Market: Free to browse.

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