Ranked by the OnlyBeaches Index (OBI) — a 1-10 score blending water purity, conditions, crowd levels and vibe. Updated every 30 minutes.
Isla Chora Beach
Tiny island beach just off Sámara Bay used for kayaking, snorkeling and day trips.
Playa Buena Vista
Long, quiet beach north of Sámara with a wilder feel and strong local appeal.
Playa Cangrejal
Quieter eastern end of the Sámara bay area with softer wave conditions and local use.
Playa Izquierda
Small rocky surf beach between Buena Vista and Sámara, best known to experienced surfers.
Playa Mala Noche
Small rocky-cove beach near Sámara Bay, useful for hidden swimming and snorkeling discovery.
Playa Matapalo de Sámara
Quiet local beach sector north of Sámara and Buena Vista with understated coastal value.
Playa Rosada
Small low-key cove near the Sámara coastline that appeals to explorers avoiding the main bay.
Playa Sámara
Protected bay with town services, gentle water and the region’s strongest visitor recognition.
Punta Indio Beach
Pocket beach near the rocky headland by Sámara Bay, useful for small-cove discovery coverage.
Sámara sits in Guanacaste, Costa Rica and is home to 9 ranked beaches on OnlyBeaches. Every beach here is scored by the OnlyBeaches Index — a 1-10 metric blending water purity, live conditions (waves, water temperature, wind), crowd intelligence and vibe.
Whether you're after the highest-scoring beach in Sámara or a quieter hidden cove, the list above is refreshed every 30 minutes using live Stormglass and OpenWeather data.
