11 Best Places to Stay in Samara Costa Rica (near the beach!)

Heading to Samara in Costa Rica? It’s a cute little, family-friendly town that doesn’t have any big chain hotels. Instead, you’ll get really cute rentals and hotels, some that come in great luxury and some that come at affordable prices. If you need the best places to stay in Samara Costa Rica, this is your list!

We stayed 4 days in Samara and highly recommend you do the same. Our rental was a 5 minute walk to the beach. But we saw plenty of other great places around that would be perfect for families to stay in.

I’ve researched and seen so many great places to stay in Samara so you can easily pick which fits your budget and idea of the perfect place.

If you’re not sure where to stay in Samara, Costa Rica, this list will provide great options at every budget. Choose from a hotel or a rental. Either way, you’ll get some great places to stay!

More-Affordable Places to Stay in Samara Costa Rica

In-Town Casa

3 bedrooms, sleeps 8
5 minute walk to beach

I have to mention this rental first because it is where we stayed. It was the cutest place and had plenty of room for our family to stretch out, so of course I think it is one of the best places to stay in Samara. In my opinion, it’s the very best. We absolutely loved staying here.

This rental is in a convenient location with the ability to pretty much walk everywhere in Samara.

Need dinner? Right across the street.

Need ice cream? Right across the street.

Need groceries? A short walk down the same street.

And the beach is an easy walk down a couple blocks.

I rave on and on about why we loved this rental in this post about the coolest rental in Samara.

The Hideaway Hotel

Sleeps up to 8 (in the 3 bedroom penthouse)
5 Minute Walk to Beach
Breakfast Included
3.5-star Hotel

The Hideaway Hotel in Samara kinda looks like a big, beautiful home. Really though, it’s one of the top rated hotels in Samara.

It’s located on the road between Samara and Carrillo, giving you quick access to either beach.

The hotel has a pool (and bar), restaurant, and only 12 rooms so it doesn’t feel too crowded.

The rooms all have wi-fi, TV, and A/C.

Hostel Samara is located right inside the entrance to this restaurant

Hostel Samara

Sleeps up to 4
5 minute walk to Beach
1.5-star hostel

I don’t typically think of Hostels as a typical family lodging option. But this one is a nicer, more private hostel. And if you’re needing something very affordable in Samara, why not check it out?

You can book private room if your family takes it up (like the 4 person room), and even have your own private bathroom.

Enjoy the shared kitchen to chat with others and a cool rooftop terrace to overlook town.

Hostel Samara is located right in town, with the entrance right alongside a great restaurant. You’ll have quick, walking access to many great activities in Samara.

We actually ate at the restaurant one night and were surprised at how many people came in to this hostel through the night. We said “that must be a good hostel!”

I looked it up later, and sure enough, it’s rated highly with people mentioning it being very clean, enjoying their family stay there, and loving the staff.

Mid Range Hotels and Rentals in Samara

Tree House Inn

Beachfront
2.5-star hotel

If you want a unique place to stay in Samara, this is it!

The Tree House Inn is limited on space, but big on fun. There are only 6 tree-house-style apartments. The complex has its own pool and is beachfront. Though only 4 of the apartments have the beach view and breeze and the other 2 are behind with a pool view.

Each place has a small kitchen, though it’s right in town if you’d like to make a short walk to a restaurant.

And even though it’s a treehouse, you’ll get wi-fi.

See the Tree House Inn website for more info. Click “Rates and Contact” for instructions on how to book.

Villas Verdes

Sleeps up to 11
5-10 minute walk to the beach
3-star hotel

This place just kinda screams “Jungle getaway” when you see it, making it one of the very cool places to stay in Samara.

There are 8 villas available. It’s nice to have privacy and lots of space when traveling with the family. Plus, each are individually decorated so it doesn’t feel like a chain hotel by any means.

Depending on the size of your family, you can book a villa that sleeps 3 or one all the way to 11 people (and a few in between).

Kids will love the pool on the property. Adults will love the A/C, option for multiple rooms in your villa, kitchens, and short walk to the beach.

Boutique Hotel Leyenda & Spa

Sleeps up to 6
Free shuttle to Beach
Breakfast Included
4-Star Hotel

Hotel Leyenda is located in Carrillo, which is a neighboring beach to Samara and a short drive away.

This is another top-rated hotel in Samara. Guests loved that it was a little quieter, relaxing, and had multiple pools (with beautiful fountain features!)

This hotel has a modern beach vibe to it. It’s beautiful inside and out, with a gorgeous pool and location near the beach.

Kids will love the playground and kids pool. Adults will love the A/C and free beach shuttle to soak up some sun.

Choose room that fits up to 6, whether that’s with a sleeper sofa or a 3rd queen bed.

Tropical Rental in Samara Costa Rica

3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
10 minute walk to beach

If you want a sleek rental, this is one of the best places to stay in Samara that the whole family will fit comfortable.

This cute home is beautiful on the inside. It kinda reminds me of something you might see in the Joanna Gaines magazine. Sleek, modern, and welcoming.

Not only is it beautiful and modern, but it has its own pool. Because I know that’s what really counts when you bring kids on vacation.

Feel at home with concrete floors, glass doors that open to the pool, 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6), and they even let you use 4 bikes!

This home is located in the northern part of Samara, but it’s less than a half-mile to the beach.

The owner does note that since this is a newer property, more homes are being built nearby. So keep in mind there may be some nearby construction.

Rental Condo for 10 people in Samara

4 bedrooms, sleeps 10
5 Minute Walk to Beach

Do you need a place that sleeps lots of people in Samara?

This gorgeous condo can sleep up to 10 people in its 5 bedrooms. I especially love the floor to ceiling windows, giving you an amazing view.

It’s a two-story condo, giving you plenty of space and plenty of views. You can all enjoy the beautiful infinity pool area at the condo and feel even safer knowing you parked in a gated parking area with 24 hour security.

This condo has been renovated with sustainably sourced materials.

Larger Budget Places to Stay in Samara

Villas Playa Samara – All inclusive in Samara Costa Rica

Beachfront
3.5-star hotel

I am going to recommend this one cautiously. The reason I include it is that it is an all-inclusive hotel in Samara for families. (There is another all-inclusive in town, but it is adults only.)

Villas Playa Samara looks amazing. It is a beachfront, all-inclusive hotel on a larger property.

However, the reviews are mixed, with the most prevalent complaint being that it is outdated.

The hotel provides beach loungers, a fitness room, beach towels, pool and children’s pool, and entertainment. It is located on the road between Samara and Carrillo.

Modern Rental with a view

3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
5 minute walk to beach

This beautiful, modern rental is up the in the hills overlooking Samara Bay.

Wake up each morning in comfort and space. Take a swim in the 40-foot lap pool, or sit out back and watch for monkeys, birds, or iguanas.

This rental is located within the town of Samara and in a gated community of just 4 total villas. You’ll have easy access to shops, restaurants, banks, and grocery stores.

And yet, it’s just a short walk to the beach.

Guests highly-recommend this home and love the helpfulness of property managers.

Villa Rental

3 bedrooms, sleeps 6
5 Minute walk to the Beach

This homes screams luxury jungle experience. Though you can only see the jungle through the window in the photo above, the place actually has views of the ocean!

A few highlights include the infinity pool that looks out to the ocean, a covered seating outdoor area, huge living spaces, high ceilings, and a full (beautiful) kitchen.

Guests loved the easy walk to the beach. And town was only 10-15 minute walking if you went via the beach.

Where to Stay in Samara- great hotels and rentals

There are so many awesome places to stay in Samara Costa Rica. And I love that there is a place for every budget. From family-friendly hostels to large, luxury homes, it’s fun looking for the best place to stay in Samara, this perfect beach town.

If you want things a little easier, I recommend a hotel with included breakfast. If you want space to spread out, I recommend one of these gorgeous rentals. We stayed in a rental and, since we were in Costa Rica for 3 weeks, we really appreciated having multiple showers and rooms.

Any of these great places to stay in Samara gives you relatively quick access to town, whether walking or driving. You’re also within driving distance of a bunch of great day trips from the area.

So choose one of these fabulous places and enjoy one of my favorite places in Costa Rica!

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