Sámara is one of Costa Rica’s most beloved beach towns — and for good reason. Nestled on a crescent-shaped bay in Guanacaste, it offers calm Pacific waters, lush jungle, and a laid-back vibe that keeps travelers coming back year after year. But what really sets Sámara apart is the sheer variety of things to do. Whether you’re after ocean adventures, wildlife encounters, or scenic day trips, the best tours in Samara Costa Rica are right here — and this guide covers all of them.
Ocean Tours in Sámara
With warm, protected waters and abundant marine life, the ocean is Sámara’s playground. These are the tours you don’t want to miss.
Sunset Catamaran Tour (Adults Only)
Few experiences in Costa Rica match a Pacific sunset from the deck of a catamaran. The Sunset Party Catamaran is an adults-only tour that combines stunning views, food, open bar, and live music for an unforgettable evening on the water. It departs from Sámara bay and runs approximately three hours — the perfect way to end a day in paradise.
Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour
The waters around Sámara are home to spinner and bottlenose dolphins year-round. The Dolphin and Snorkeling Catamaran Tour takes you offshore to spot dolphins in the wild, then anchors near Chora Island for snorkeling in crystal-clear water. If you prefer a more intimate experience, the smaller boat version is an excellent alternative.
Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling to Chora Island
For those who want a more active adventure, the Ocean Kayak and Snorkeling tour paddles out to Chora Island — a protected wildlife refuge just offshore. You’ll snorkel among tropical fish, spot iguanas on the rocks, and kayak back with the current. No experience necessary.
Stand Up Paddle Board to Chora Island
Prefer to stand? The SUP tour to Chora Island is a fun, full-body workout with one of the best views in Sámara. Guides keep the pace relaxed and suitable for beginners.
Fishing — Inshore and Offshore
Sámara offers world-class sport fishing in both inshore and offshore waters. Inshore fishing targets roosterfish, jack, and snapper close to the coast, while offshore fishing goes after marlin, sailfish, and mahi-mahi in deep Pacific water. Both tours are available year-round.
Surf Lessons
Sámara’s gentle, consistent waves make it one of the best places in Costa Rica to learn to surf. The surf lesson is perfect for complete beginners — patient instructors, soft boards, and a beach that’s forgiving enough to actually have fun on your first day.
Nature Tours in Sámara
The jungle around Sámara is alive with wildlife, trails, and unforgettable scenery. These nature tours let you experience it all.
Horseback Riding
Riding along the Costa Rican coast on horseback is as magical as it sounds. Choose from a beach and jungle ride departing from Sámara or a scenic route through the hills above Puerto Carrillo. Both tours are suitable for beginners and experienced riders alike.
ATV Tours
Explore the back roads, jungle trails, and coastal viewpoints of Guanacaste on an ATV. Choose the 2-hour ATV tour for a quick thrill or the 3-hour version for a deeper adventure that covers more terrain and better viewpoints. Both depart from Sámara.
Gyrocopter Tour
This is the tour that stops people in their tracks. The Gyrocopter Tour flies you over Sámara’s coastline in an open-air autogyro — part ultralight, part helicopter, all unforgettable. The views of the bay, jungle, and Pacific from above are unlike anything else available in the area.
Mangrove Kayak
Paddle through Sámara’s mangrove ecosystem and discover the incredible biodiversity hiding in the roots and canopy above. The Mangrove Kayak tour is quiet, peaceful, and ideal for wildlife lovers — expect monkeys, birds, and maybe a crocodile if you’re lucky.
Sámara Trails
The Sámara Trails tour takes you through the hills and jungle above town on a guided hike. The views of the bay from the ridge are some of the best in the area, and your guide will point out local wildlife and plants along the way.
Turtle Nesting Tours
Witnessing sea turtles nesting under a star-filled sky is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in Costa Rica. Book with Maria offers nesting tours to both Ostional — home to one of the largest olive ridley nesting events in the world — and Corozalito, a quieter, more intimate beach closer to Sámara. Both tours run at night during nesting season.
Wingnuts Zipline
The Wingnuts Zipline sends you flying through the jungle canopy on a series of platforms and cables with views of the ocean below. It’s the most exhilarating way to see the landscape around Sámara from a completely different perspective.
Day Trips from Sámara
Sámara’s central location in Guanacaste makes it a perfect base for exploring some of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations.
Diriá Coffee Tour
Just a short drive from Sámara, the Diriá Coffee Tour takes you to a working coffee farm where you’ll learn the entire process from seed to cup. It’s a fascinating cultural experience and a great way to understand why Costa Rican coffee is world-famous. Read our full guide to the Diriá Coffee Tour for everything you need to know.
Palo Verde Boat Tour
The Palo Verde Boat Tour heads into one of Costa Rica’s most important wetland national parks. A slow river boat takes you past crocodiles, howler monkeys, hundreds of bird species, and some of the most dramatic tropical scenery in the country.
Tenorio River Rafting
For adrenaline seekers, the Tenorio River Rafting day trip combines white-water rafting on the Tenorio River with a visit to the stunning Río Celeste — the turquoise blue river that looks like it came from another planet.
Monteverde Adventure Day
Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s cloud forest jewels, and you can do it as a day trip from Sámara. The Monteverde Adventure Day includes transportation, a guided cloud forest walk, and time to explore the suspension bridges above the canopy.
How to Choose the Right Tour
With so many options, it helps to think about what kind of traveler you are:
- Families with kids — Horseback riding, snorkeling, mangrove kayak, and the Palo Verde boat tour are all family-friendly and low-intensity.
- Couples — The sunset catamaran, gyrocopter, and turtle nesting tours make for unforgettable romantic experiences.
- Adventure seekers — ATV tours, river rafting, offshore fishing, and the zipline deliver the adrenaline.
- Wildlife lovers — Turtle nesting, Palo Verde, mangrove kayak, and the dolphin tour put you right in the middle of Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity.
Book Your Tours in Sámara with Maria
Book with Maria has been connecting travelers with the best local guides and experiences in Sámara for years. Every tour is hand-picked, every operator is trusted, and every booking comes with personal attention and WhatsApp support throughout your trip.
Not sure which tours are right for your group? Maria offers a free vacation planning service — just tell her your dates, your group, and what you’re after, and she’ll put together a custom itinerary at no charge.
Sámara is waiting. The only question is where you want to start.