Activities

Adventure & Relaxation: Your Sámara Activities

Sol Sámara Hotel is your perfect base for exploring the rich biodiversity and beautiful coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. Whether you seek adrenaline, wildlife, or total tranquility, a world of Pura Vida is waiting right outside our door.

Disclaimer: The following activities are recommendations of experiences available in the Sámara area and are not offered directly by the hotel.

Adventure Awaits

Explore Sámara

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) to Isla Chora

A delightful activity suitable for ages 7 and up! SUP is a global phenomenon rooted in Hawaiian heritage. Most find it easier than surfing, making it a perfect holiday activity. The incredible views of Playa Sámara Bay will make you wonder why you haven't tried SUP sooner. The calm waves at Sámara and Carrillo are ideal for starting your stand-up paddle adventure. Your lesson includes a safety briefing and technique instruction. After mastering the basics, we'll paddle out to Isla Chora, a secluded island known for its white sand and hermit crabs.

Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

If you've dreamed of kayaking to a tropical island with white sands, this is your chance. After a refreshing paddle through the waves, you’ll reach Isla Chora and escape into a relaxing underwater world. Feel the freedom to snorkel with tropical fish, play in the clear ocean waters, or simply relax and sunbathe. This tour offers a perfect balance of exercise and total tranquility.

Learn to Surf: Beginner & Advanced Lessons

For beginners, you’ll learn the basics: paddling, standing up, and turning correctly on the board. Your safety and a fun, secure surfing experience are our top priority. If you have some experience, our guides—who have been surfing since childhood—can show you more advanced techniques to improve your performance. With these surf experts, you're sure to be riding waves in no time! (This fun, 2.5-hour beginner course teaches the fundamentals of this exciting sport.

Dolphin Watching & Snorkel Excursion

If you’ve never seen a dolphin or whale, this tour is your opportunity to observe marine life in the North Pacific, a renowned location for spotting various marine mammals. We sail 3 to 15 kilometers off the coasts of Sámara and Carrillo to find these noble animals. You might be lucky enough to see Spotted Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, and Humpback Whales! On the way back, we stop at Isla Chora, a beautiful beach perfect for a cool swim and a look at the tropical marine fauna beneath the surface.

Kayaking through Mangroves: Wildlife and Bird Watching

Explore the abundant wildlife of the Buena Vista River near Playa Sámara. As you kayak through the mangrove tunnels, you'll marvel at the diversity of nature. Guided by our bird expert, enjoy the company of the Great Blue Heron, Anhinga, Roseate Spoonbills, and perhaps even spot some crocodiles. After observing the tropical birds and listening to their songs, the tour concludes on the shores of Buena Vista Beach—the perfect place to reflect on your great day. This tour is the best of Sámara for nature lovers and bird watchers.

Mountain Biking: Beach and Mountain Trails

An exhilarating mountain biking tour, which includes some bird watching, is one of the most exciting activities in Playa Sámara. If you enjoy riding dirt roads, through groves, and over small hills, this tour is for you. The route offers magnificent views and opportunities to spot monkeys, raccoons, coatis, anteaters, and other dry forest wildlife. (This tour lasts 3.5 hours.)

Our Features

On-site Restaurant

Start your day right with our delicious, included Costa Rican breakfast. Our full-service, on-site restaurant offers authentic "a la tica" cuisine for lunch and dinner, with a special focus on fresh fish and local seafood. Enjoy the true, savory flavors of Guanacaste without ever having to leave the hotel.