Your stay — Samara Palm Lodge
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Sámara.
The Property — Samara Palm Lodge
Samara Palm Lodge is a low-key three-star just off Samara Beach, built around a courtyard pool with rattan loungers and a thatched bar. The vibe is relaxed but not rustic: rooms are simple, air-conditioned, and clean, with tiled floors and mosquito nets. It suits couples or solo travellers who want affordable comfort within a two-minute walk to the surf, without the resort markup. Standing in the lobby, you smell salt air and hear howler monkeys in the trees beyond the car park — it feels like a sensible base for a beach week.
Chronicles of Sámara
Samara began as a small fishing village; its name comes from the Sámara tree (Pithecellobium saman) that shades the central plaza. Tourism took off in the 1990s after a paved road from the Pan-American Highway opened the Nicoya Peninsula. The town never built high-rises, keeping a single-storey, dirt-road character that appeals to backpackers and families alike. Today it’s a quiet alternative to Tamarindo, with a strong expat community and a focus on yoga, surfing, and wildlife-watching.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sámara guide →Best months
December to April: dry season with blue skies, steady trade winds, and manageable crowds. October to November: greener, quieter, and often discounted, though afternoon showers are frequent.
Peak / festival surge
December to February and Easter week (late March/early April). Samara fills with families and package tourists; hotel prices nearly double. Christmas and Semana Santa are the main drivers.
Budget shoulder season
May and June: rains start but usually fall in short bursts; prices drop 20-30%, and you get the beach almost to yourself. September sees the lowest rates.
Weather & packing
Samara’s climate quirk is that the dry season trade winds can make evenings feel cool, while the rainy season often delivers bright sun until 2pm, then a short deluge. Pack a light windbreaker for July evenings and a quick-dry towel for afternoon showers even in the dry months.
Live City Briefing — Sámara
- The new pedestrian bridge over the Rio Samara at the north end of the beach opened in late 2025, cutting the walk to Playa Carrillo from 45 minutes to 20 minutes.
- Construction on the main road (Route 150) from Nicoya to Samara has finished; the drive now takes a reliable 40 minutes instead of the previous 1-2 hours.
- July 2026 is peak turtle nesting season in Ostional Wildlife Refuge (90 minutes north); expect no vehicle access without a guide and no torches on the beach after dark.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Samara Palm Lodge, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (up one level) away from the front of the property. The lodge's low-rise layout means second-floor rooms may have less foot traffic below, but first floor with an exterior door can be quieter if set back from the street. Ask for a garden-side room, as the main road runs along Sámara's beachfront strip.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly facing the street or near the reception area. Street noise from Sámara's main road (which runs parallel to the beach) can be audible in front-facing units. Also skip rooms beside any common areas like the pool or breakfast nook, as these can get busy by 7am.
Best views
Request a room with a garden or pool view; the lodge's address on Sámara's main strip means street-side rooms overlook a road that leads to the beach (no sea views from the lodge - it's a 2-block walk). Side rooms may catch a sliver of green.
Quietest floors
First floor rooms set back from the street, ideally garden-facing.
🔊 Noise notes
Sámara's main road is a lively beach-town street with cars, bikes, and the odd tour truck from early morning. The lodge's open-air layout may also carry pool chatter. At busy times, live music from nearby bars can drift in.
Insider tips
1. Ask if a first-floor room with a hammock on the patio is available - these are often quieter and have direct garden access. 2. Check in early (by 2pm) to avoid the afternoon rush when the front desk gets busy with tour bookings.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Samara Palm Lodge
Free Wi-Fi throughout property. Typical speed 10–15 Mbps down; login via room number and surname.
No lift. Two-storey buildings with stairs only; no historic wings.
No physical newspapers. Free digital newsstand via PressReader available on lobby tablet.
Check-in from 14:00 to 21:00. Early bag drop permitted from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out fee of $30 USD until 13:00 (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals/departures. For longer storage, enquire at front desk.
No step-free access. Main entrance has three steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms. Ground-floor rooms available but require step entry.
On-site free parking for guests (unsecured, first-come-first-served). Nearest public car park is at Sámara Beach front, 300 m away, $5 USD per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT included in rates; no additional city tax.
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required to confirm booking; at check-in, a $100 USD incidental hold is placed on a credit card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Sámara (304 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Sámara — 365 m · ~5 min walk
Parque — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Scotiabank — 269 m · ~3 min walk
Farmacia Don Gerardo — 415 m · ~5 min walk
Cosechas — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Most travellers change cash at local banks or use ATMs dispensing colones; avoid airport exchange bureaux for poor rates.
Major cards (Visa, Mastercard) accepted in most hotels and restaurants; contactless common but small cash needed for market stalls and taxis.
Restaurants: 10% service charge often included, but locals leave 5–10% extra for good service. Taxis: no tip expected. Hotel staff: 1,000–2,000 CRC per bag or day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local soda coffee or a basic café americano: 1,000–1,500 CRC.
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda: 4,000–5,000 CRC.
Main at a budget soda or local eatery: 5,000–7,000 CRC.
No formal street-food scene; cheap eats are at sodas and local comedores near the main road or market area.
Supermercado Maxi Pali or Supermercado La Tica for budget basics.
No high-street chains; buy at local mercados or second-hand stores in Nicoya.
Local bus from Sámara town to nearby beaches: 600–1,000 CRC per ride. Budget way from San José airport: direct shuttle bus (approx 18,000–22,000 CRC) or local bus via Nicoya (multiple legs, cheaper).
Eat at sodas for lunch rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets not hotel minibars; exchange or withdraw colones at bank ATMs, not airport or hotel desks.
Emergency Contacts
Sámara+506 2690-1111 (Tourist Police) or +506 2690-2290 (Samará Hospital)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sámara, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Samara Palm Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Scotiabank — 269 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Don Gerardo — 415 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Tamarindo → Casitas Laz Divaz, Sámara
💡 Check the schedule in advance to plan your trip
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Sámara
💡 Buy tickets online or at the airport to secure a seat
Other towns in Guanacaste → Casitas Laz Divaz, Sámara
💡 Book in advance for a flat rate
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Casitas Laz Divaz, Sámara
💡 Book in advance to ensure availability
About Sámara
Wikipedia ↗
The Costa Rica national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Costa Rica) represents Costa Rica in men's international football, which is governed by the Federación Costarricense de Fútbol (English: Costa Rican Football Federation), the governing body for football in Costa Rica founded in 1...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Samara Palm Lodge?
Request a room on the first floor (up one level) away from the front of the property. The lodge's low-rise layout means second-floor rooms may have less foot traffic below, but first floor with an exterior door can be quieter if set back from the street. Ask for a garden-side room, as the main road runs along Sámara's beachfront strip.
Which rooms should I avoid at Samara Palm Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly facing the street or near the reception area. Street noise from Sámara's main road (which runs parallel to the beach) can be audible in front-facing units. Also skip rooms beside any common areas like the pool or breakfast nook, as these can get busy by 7am.
Is Samara Palm Lodge noisy?
Sámara's main road is a lively beach-town street with cars, bikes, and the odd tour truck from early morning. The lodge's open-air layout may also carry pool chatter. At busy times, live music from nearby bars can drift in.
Which rooms have the best views at Samara Palm Lodge?
Request a room with a garden or pool view; the lodge's address on Sámara's main strip means street-side rooms overlook a road that leads to the beach (no sea views from the lodge - it's a 2-block walk). Side rooms may catch a sliver of green.
What are insider tips for staying at Samara Palm Lodge?
1. Ask if a first-floor room with a hammock on the patio is available - these are often quieter and have direct garden access. 2. Check in early (by 2pm) to avoid the afternoon rush when the front desk gets busy with tour bookings.
What time is check-in at Samara Palm Lodge?
Check-in at Samara Palm Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Samara Palm Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout property. Typical speed 10–15 Mbps down; login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Samara Palm Lodge?
13% VAT included in rates; no additional city tax.
Where can I eat cheaply near Samara Palm Lodge?
Casado (rice, beans, salad, protein) at a soda: 4,000–5,000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Samara Palm Lodge?
Local bus from Sámara town to nearby beaches: 600–1,000 CRC per ride. Budget way from San José airport: direct shuttle bus (approx 18,000–22,000 CRC) or local bus via Nicoya (multiple legs, cheaper).
When is the best time to visit Sámara?
December to April: dry season with blue skies, steady trade winds, and manageable crowds. October to November: greener, quieter, and often discounted, though afternoon showers are frequent.
Top Attractions in Sámara
💡 Take a short walk north of Sámara Beach to find this hidden gem.
💡 Take a guided tour to spot monkeys and birds in their natural habitat.
💡 Try some local fruits and snacks, and practice your Spanish with the vendors.
💡 Watch the sunset over the ocean for a truly unforgettable experience.
💡 Book a lesson with a local instructor to learn the best techniques and safety tips.