Essentials
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Playa Samara Beachfront and Downtown (near the 'Center' road).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- El Lagarto or Cangrejal (quieter, better internet infrastructure, walking distance to town).
- City
- Playa Samara, Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approximately 4,000 residents
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available via Itellum or Coopeguanacaste, typical speeds 50-200 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC). 1 USD ≈ 505 CRC. Banco Nacional and BCR have ATMs nearby.
- Tap Water
- Generally drinkable, though many expats prefer filtered water or 'bidones' (5-gallon jugs) for taste.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Liberty (formerly Movistar) and Claro offer best coverage; Kolbi is state-owned. ~$10 for 5GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Nacional (BNCR) and BCR; Wise and Revolut work at most ATMs with transaction fees.
- Accommodation
- Mix of boutique hotels, eco-lodges, and rental villas; Airbnb and VRBO are dominant.
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly yes in restaurants/supermarkets, but cash (Colones) is preferred for small sodas and street vendors.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Facebook groups ('Samara Rentals') range from $800 to $2,500/month.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Casa de Max ($20-30/night) or Matilori ($25/night).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Locoworking Samara ($20/day, $250/month) - High-speed fiber and AC.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Roots Bakery (good Wi-Fi, excellent coffee) or Microbar (quiet during afternoons).
- Networking Events
- Samara community meetings and 'Expats in Samara' weekly coffee meetups at various cafes.
- Social Events for Expats
- Samara Organics Market (Saturdays) and regular beach volleyball matches at the main beach.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is not available; use local licensed red taxis or unofficial 'Colectivos'.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Samara Info Center or Samara Adventures ($15-20/day for manual bikes, $45/day for scooters).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Carrillo (5km south), known for being pristine, palm-fringed, and wave-free.
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines flies into Nosara or Liberia (LIR).
- Top International Airline
- American, United, Delta fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR), 2 hours away.
- Highway Access
- Route 150 connects Samara to Nicoya city and the Inter-American Highway.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Alfaro Bus Terminal (Direct buses to San Jose and Nicoya).
- Public Transport Passes
- Pay per trip in cash (Approx. $1.50 for local buses to Nicoya).
- Regional Travel
- Private Shuttles (Interbus/Tropical Tours) to Santa Teresa or Tamarindo for ~$55.
Culture and Attractions
- Art Galleries
- The Marea Art Gallery.
- Historic Buildings
- Traditional wooden 'Sabanero' houses in the surrounding countryside.
- Local Heritage
- Nicoya Blue Zone heritage (longevity and traditional corn-based diets).
- Must-See Landmarks
- Isla Chora (Kayak to the island for snorkeling).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Galería de Arte (Local artists' shop in town center).
- Historical Sites
- Colonial Church in Nicoya (one of the oldest in Costa Rica, 35 mins away).
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia Santo Cristo de Esquipulas.
- Annual Events
- Fiestas Cívicas Samara (January) featuring traditional rodeos and street food.
- Cultural Districts
- The central 'Calle Principal' (Main Street) lining the beach.
- Theater Venues
- None; nearest theater is in San Jose/Liberia.
- Local Markets
- Samara Farmers Market (Saturday mornings) for organic produce.
- Music Scene
- Live Music at Bar Arriba or Lo Que Hay on weekends.
- Street Art
- Hand-painted signs and surf-themed murals throughout downtown.
- Cooking Classes
- Local 'Soda' owners occasionally offer traditional Costa Rican tortilla making lessons.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Werner Sauter Biological Reserve (Private hiking trails).
- National Parks Nearby
- Diria National Park (1 hour drive) or Barra Honda (caves, 1.5 hours).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The entire Samara-Carrillo beach stretch (7km total).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador Samara (Hilltop view overlooking the bay).
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Mala Noche estuary and mangroves.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally permitted on the beach away from the hotels; check local seasonal fire restrictions.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Post Office) or local courier services like DHL (via Nicoya).
- Tech Repair Services
- Nearby Nicoya has several cell phone and computer repair shops (e.g., Soporte Técnico).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Some local hostels like Matilori have communal tables.
- Language Classes
- Intercultura Costa Rica Spanish Schools (Beachfront campus).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública de Nicoya (Nearest library); Locoworking is the best study spot.
- Community Centers
- Asociación Pro-Fomento de Samara (APROS).
- Gaming Lounges
- None available; typical focus is outdoor activities.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; the nearest major casinos are in Liberia or El Coco.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital La Anexión in Nicoya (35 mins drive) for emergencies; local clinic: Ebais Samara.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Paradise ($15 drop-in) or hotel-based classes at Hotel Las Brisas del Pacifico.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Samara Gym (local weights/machines) or beach workouts at 'The Gym Samara'.
- Laundry Services
- Lavenderia Samara (Approx. $10 per medium load wash and dry).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; order via WhatsApp directly with restaurants for local delivery.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gallo Pinto (Breakfast) and Casado (Lunch) at Soda La Perla (~$7).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- LuvBurger (plant-based beachfront burgers) and Samara Organics.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pura Vida Gelato (Authentic Italian style on the main road).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Samara or Pali (in Nicoya for bulk buying).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre (limited); most nomads use local Facebook 'Buy/Sell' groups.
- Grocery Delivery
- Available through Super Samara via WhatsApp messaging.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Microbar (craft beer) and La Gema (late night dancing/music).
- Local Brewery
- Microbar serves local Guanacasteca craft beers on tap.
- Wine Bars
- Gusto Beach (beachfront wine selection and Italian cocktails).
- Street Food Stalls
- Skewers 'Pinchos' and shaved ice 'Copos' sold by vendors on the beach path.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mama Gui (High-end Italian) and El Lagarto (Wood-fire grilled meats).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $152,000 for a condo).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 for land + small build).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $120,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $144,000 for a house).
- Corporate Tax
- Sliding scale from 5% to 30% depending on gross income.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% standard rate.
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (Only income earned within Costa Rica is taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for individuals (Salaried workers).
- VAT
- 13% (IVA).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Limited enforcement, but new transparency regulations are being introduced.
- Property Tax
- 0.25% of the registered property value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 2.4% (Includes transfer tax and legal fees).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Law 10008: 0% tax on foreign-sourced income for Digital Nomad Visa holders.