The Best Hotels to Book in Samara, Costa Rica

Sit back and enjoy the view at Hacienda Barrigona
Sit back and enjoy the view at Hacienda Barrigona | Courtesy of Hacienda Barrigona / Expedia.com
Sarah Holt

Samara, on Costa Rica‘s Nicoya Peninsula, may not be as famous as Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo, but it’s just as worthy of a visit. The beach is bright white, the restaurants authentic, and it’s bordered by acres of jungle. Here are a few of the leading places to stay in this lesser-known town – bookable on Culture Trip.

Cabañas Lamaite

Hotel

Cabañas Lamaite
Courtesy of Cabañas Lamaite / Expedia.com

There’s a treehouse look to Cabañas Lamaite, a five-minute drive from the town centre. Almost everything is made of wood and bamboo, from the walls to the sun loungers by the pool. Pretty cushions, bright throws and art add colour, and there are wooden signs painted with heartwarming Spanish sayings. The hotel has its own little restaurant, serving a Costa Rican breakfast and dishes like tacos and nachos through the rest of the day.

Hotel Giada

Hotel

Hotel Giada
Courtesy of Hotel Giada / Expedia.com

Hotel Giada is less than five minutes’ walk from the pearly sands of Samara Beach. Rooms here are simple spaces with balconies – some of which overlook the pool and lounger-topped lawns. The Di Mare Di Vino restaurant, one of the best in the area, serves a combination of Costa Rican and Italian dishes, including a range of wood-fired pizzas that visitors adore.

Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows

Hotel

Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows
Courtesy of Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows / Expedia.com

You’ll never lose sight of the sea when you stay at Nammbú Beachfront Bungalows. This collection of rooms is set on the edge of Carrillo Beach in the bay that neighbours Samara, and some of the rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water. You can also see the ocean from the infinity pool and the terrace at the restaurant, where breakfast is served in the morning and an à la carte menu is available at night.

Hotel Leyenda

Hotel

Hotel Leyenda
Courtesy of Hotel Leyenda / Expedia.com

Hotel Leyenda is set in a quiet area of countryside five minutes’ drive from Carrillo Beach, Samara’s sister strip of sand. The hotel provides a shuttle bus to the beach, where there are chairs for its guests. The pool will tempt you to stay on-site, though – it’s a split-level number with a refreshing water fountain. The hotel restaurant is well-regarded and serves everything from fresh seafood platters to spaghetti.

Samara Pacific Lodge

Lodge

Samara Pacific Lodge
Courtesy of Samara Pacific Lodge / Expedia.com

Featuring whitewashed walls, tiled floors and wooden ceilings, the rooms at Samara Pacific Lodge sleep from two to eight people, making them a great choice for families and groups. The pool has a separate section where kids can splash about, too. When it comes to getting out and about, meanwhile, Samara Beach and its selection of bars and restaurants are a 10-minute walk away.

The Hideaway Hotel

Hotel

The Hideaway Hotel
Courtesy of The Hideaway Hotel / Expedia.com

The word “hideaway” in the name refers to the fact that this hotel is in a quiet pocket of green countryside, home to howler monkeys and parakeets. It’s not remote, though. You can walk to both Samara or Carrillo beach in less than 10 minutes. For the days when you don’t feel like venturing out, the hotel has a pool and bar restaurant – visitors rave about the mango margaritas and home-made guacamole.

Hacienda Barrigona

Hotel

Hacienda Barrigona
Courtesy of Hacienda Barrigona / Expedia.com

Around 500 acres (200ha) of forest engulfs Hacienda Barrigona, a 20-minute drive from Samara. There are just 10 rooms here, which adds to the sense of seclusion. During the day you can unwind by the pool, hike the trails that surround the property, paddleboard through the local mangroves, or walk down to Barrigona Beach and its 700m (2,300ft) of white sand. In the evening, you can sit down to a communal meal cooked with local ingredients.

Montelaguna Boutique Hotel

Boutique Hotel

Montelaguna Boutique Hotel
Courtesy of Montelaguna Boutique Hotel / Expedia.com

This 18-room boutique hotel is within walking distance of two long, blonde beaches – Samara and Carrillo. If you’re planning on spending the day on the sand, you can order a picnic basket to take with you and even borrow a hammock to string up once you get there. If you’re sticking around the hotel instead, there’s a quiet pool and a waterside restaurant that serves lunch and dinner.

For more places to stay in Costa Rica, see the best villas and holiday apartments in the country now; they’re bookable via Culture Trip. Fill up your itinerary by finding how to spend 24 hours in Tortuguero: a wonderland of wildlife on the east coast.

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