Samara has for a very long time, been a  traditional holliday destination for Costa Rican families on vacation. Unlike many other travel destinations in Costa Rica, most of the businesses and hotels in Samara are owned and run by Costa Ricans.

With a low-key atmosphere and moderately priced accomodations and activities, it is a very safe and relaxing place for families to come together. The town of Samara is widely known to be a safe and wholesome environment, which unlike many other Pacific resort towns in Costa Rica, maintains a thriving fishing and farming community in addition to being a popular tourist destination.

Popular with swimmers and windsurfers, located on the shore of an idyllic pale sand beach in a half moon bay, and  protected by a coral reef,  Samara is a cozy, little beach village, perfect to soak up beach life and sun in an unhurried atmosphere.
In many ways, Samara is the stereotypical picture of a relaxed seaside village. A dirt road serves as the main street, and leads directly down to the palm-tree lined beach. Bars and restaurants are open air with sand floors and beach decor, and the main activity seems to be parents relaxing and staying cool, while keeping watch over their children playing, swimming, biking, and learning to surf.

Shallow waters and easy surf in the bay is perfect for beginners just learning to ride waves. More advanced surfers can head about twelve kilometers north, to Playa Camaronal, for a bigger challenge. Windsurfing, sport fishing, or kayaking into the Rio Ora estuary or out to Chora Island next to the reef are also popular area activities. Horses, scooters, and bicycles are readily available for land exploration as well.