Beachside Retreat Surrounded by Rainforest

Unlike waves at most beaches on the northern coast of Costa Rica, the waves that roll into the horseshoe-shaped bay near Playa Samara are relatively calm and easily navigable. Guests of the waterfront Villas Playa Samara take advantage of this phenomenon on kayaking tours—one of many activities available onsite—that send paddlers skimming over the ocean, just a few feet above colorful coral reefs. Located far from urban bustle and surrounded by 200 acres of tropical jungle, the resort makes a relaxing home base for adventures by land or sea.

Hotel Villas Playa Samara resembles a Spanish-style village with its white stucco walls, red tile roofs, and wild herds of matadors roaming the grounds. Deluxe garden-view rooms, which lie only steps from the beach, come furnished with a private terrace. The onsite Arrecife Restaurante offers inviting island views on its patio, where diners can sample international cuisine and traditional Costa Rican breakfasts consisting of gallo pinto, maple ham, and fiambres.

Samara Beach, Costa Rica: Coral Reefs and Rainforest Adventure

Villas Playa Samara makes it easy to book an array of outdoor adventures in the rainforest or on the crescent-shaped beach. A nearly three-hour kayak trip, included with this Getaway, features a guided sojourn to Isla Chora—a secluded island with shores composed of pink and white sand. Snorkeling through the crystal-clear waters along the bay provides an up-close look at tropical marine life such as hermit crabs.

Mountain-biking and ziplining tours take explorers deep into the jungle. A float down one of the rainforest’s rivers may supply glimpses of howler monkeys and iguanas. Anglers can take to the Pacific on sport-fishing charters, which steer to big-game fishing spots. Even novices stand a fair chance of hooking tuna and mahi-mahi or wrestling with a trophy-size plankton in the boat's fighting chair.