nw trek wild drive

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Top ways to experience Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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• Just Opened

Northwest Trek’s Newest Experience Is a Seriously Wild Drive

It’s time to dust off the driving gloves and say sayonara to the city because a just-opened drive-through adventure is calling. It’s a close encounter of the animal kind, where you and the kids, tucked safely in your car, get up close and personal with bison, moose and caribou who are roaming free. Start your engines!

Northwest Trek’s Wild Drive is probably the most fun your fam will have in the car this year. The new program gives families a chance to be part of a car caravan that travels through the park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area. Each guided tour is led by an experienced naturalist, who shares entertaining tidbits and facts via an app you download to your phone. That’s right, you’ll have all the educational entertainment your kids need piped right to your car. Plan to spend about an hour on this all-car-all-the-time tour you won’t soon forget.

Shift into Gear

As you make your way through the grassy meadows and forested hillsides, the kids should be on the lookout for the eight Pacific Northwest native animals that call the park home. We’re talking Roosevelt elk, mountain goats, caribou, big horn sheep and elusive moose that take a keen eye to spot. Don’t forget the bison, who always seem to steal the show. They love to sit close to the road and pose for pictures. Who knows, with the springtime baby boom, you might even spy a bison calf close to mom along the way. The cars will move slowly through the grounds so you’ll have plenty of time to see the animals that are out and about. Clearly the hardest part of this trip is deciding which parent has to drive and keep their eyes on the road.

Safety First

Be reassured this adventure puts health and safety first, as every aspect can be no-contact, if you choose. Tickets are purchased in advance online , and are shown to an attendant through your car window. Staff will wear masks (you can too!), and stay socially distanced from cars. And other than a possible pit stop, there’s no need to get out of the car or come in contact with anyone other than your car mates.

What to Bring

Unlike a typical visit to Northwest Trek, this adventure is all about car time, and that means being prepared. Put food and drink at the top of your list, as eating while you make your way through the park is totally fine (just don’t feed the animals). Hand sanitizer, masks and any other safety items you would normally pack during this time come next. Finally, plan some silly road trip games and activities to keep the kids busy on the way down and back.

If your crew needs a break from car time, consider packing a picnic or getting out for an easy hike. For a picnic, try Spanaway Park , just off of Highway 7, outside Tacoma. It sits along a lake, so you can eat with a view, and there’s plenty of room to stretch your legs. Remember restrooms and playground equipment are closed here. Families can also check out Nisqually State Park , a little beyond Northwest Trek. It’s a smaller, little-known state park, so socially distancing along the riverside trails should be a cinch. Remember to pack your Discover Pass for this one.

Good to know: 1. Cell reception can be spotty at the park, so download mobile tickets and the audio app you need for the tour to your device before you head out.

2. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before your tour starts. There’s no joining the group once they’ve departed.

3. Families will have limited access to restrooms at the park before and after the tour.

4. Car capacity maxes out at eight people for this experience.

5. Some time slots are already sold out, so if you want in, get your tickets soon .

11610 Trek Dr. E. Eatonville, WA 360-832-6117 Online: nwtrek.org

Days: daily, starting May 27, 2020 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $70/vehicle, members; $80/vehicle, non-members

—Allison Sutcliffe

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Northwest Trek's Wild Drive: A New Way to Visit Amazing Animals

Drive your own car through trek's free-roaming area.

By Nancy Chaney

Published on: may 19, 2020.

It's not every day you get to drive right by a herd of bison grazing in the green grass. This unique experience will soon be available to Seattle-area families when  Northwest Trek Wildlife Park  reopens May 27 to begin offering its new  Wild Drive  driving tours experience.

As local families seek safe outings and activities to break up the monotony of quarantine, this is welcome news.

Located in Eatonville, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle,  Northwest Trek is an animal park known for its free-roaming spaces where Northwest native animals live in their natural habitat. Resident critters include bison, mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep and deer. Bears, wolves, foxes, beavers, cougars, bobcats, eagles and many more species also call the park home. Northwest Trek, run by Metro Parks Tacoma , has been closed to the public since March 14.

Wild Drive tours will allow motorists to drive the roadways of Trek's free-roaming area. These winding roadways were previously only accessible through the park's signature narrated tram tour. 

“Wild Drive is unlike anything we’ve ever offered at Northwest Trek,” noted Tim Reid, president of the Metro Parks Tacoma board of commissioners, in a statement.

What to know

• The first important thing for families to know about Wild Drive is that you need to  book in advance for a specific date and time . Do not just show up at Northwest Trek and expect to be able to drive the tour route.
• Tour dates are open to the general public beginning Wednesday, May 27, and hourly tour departure times run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tours last about one hour, and families should arrive 15 minutes in advance of their scheduled tour time.
• Tours cost $80 per vehicle and each vehicle requires one ticket. Trek members receive a $10 discount.
• Vehicles must hold members of only one immediate household, with a maximum of eight people. (You cannot bring your 15-passenger van or fill your pickup bed with people; read more about vehicle restrictions in the Wild Drive FAQ .)
• A park naturalist will lead a caravan of visitors in their private cars while narrating a tour over an app so families can learn all about the native species they're viewing (this sounds like it could tick the box on a homeschool science lesson, eh?).
• Drivers should plan to drive very slowly, less than 10 miles per hour, and will slow to a stop at intervals where the best views of the animals are found.
• Visitors cannot get out of their cars, touch or feed the animals, or smoke. Check out the complete list of safety and social-distancing rules on the Wild Drive FAQ .
• Find out more about the animals you can expect to see on the Wild Drive field guide page .
• Outside of the free-roaming area, the rest of Northwest Trek — including other animal exhibits, the Kids' Trek playground and zip tours — remains closed.

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About the author.

Nancy Chaney is a Seattle-based writer and editor, and former out + about editor for ParentMap.

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Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek is a 725-acre wildlife park tucked away in the forest near Mt. Rainier. Unlike any play area in the Puget Sound region, it is designed to stimulate imaginations, encourage exploration, connect folks with wildlife and immerse kids in nature.

Tram tours are temporarily unavailable but there are three exciting ways to explore the park.

The park entry ticket gives access to the core habitat area. Beautiful winding paved paths lead you to grizzly and black bears foraging under trees, wolverines running over logs, gray wolves, cougar, lynx, and more, plus an immersive bald eagle exhibit. The nature-inspired Kids Trek playground and Zip Wild ziplines add to the fun! Bring a picnic or eat at the café.

Get eye-to-eye with inquisitive otters. Spot elusive fishers snuggling in their dens. Stare out a lynx or cougar, seldom seen in the wild, and learn how to protect all these species.

The Northwest Trek experience gives you a peek into the lives of native Northwest animals.

Bison cluster in the flat areas, eyeballing cars as they drive by. The caribou and the elk seem close enough to touch. The mix of animals that can be seen from the comfort of your own car is remarkable and the chance to see them in this way is a one-of-a-kind experience. On the Wild Walk path, you get even closer. Excited children will retell their journey for weeks to follow, while adults too will have a story to share.

08-22-19 (Photo/Katie Cotterill) Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

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Our Wild Drive Experience at Northwest Trek

A big thank you to Northwest Trek for inviting us out to try the new Wild Drive Experience at Northwest Trek. We had a blast and are excited to share our take as well as tips and tricks!

I should mention that one of the highlights of our elementary school years is when the entire class gets to go on a field trip to Northwest Trek. Unfortunately for both of my older kids, they missed the opportunity to go with their class.

Wild Drive Experience at Northwest Trek – Know before you go

The price for the tour is $80 for the entire car. Depending on your family size, it makes it pretty comparable to the traditional ticket prices with the trams.

Bonuses of doing a Wild Drive Experience

How to schedule your Wild Drive Experience at Northwest Trek

5 thoughts on “Our Wild Drive Experience at Northwest Trek”

This looks like so much fun!

Thanks for the review! Were going tomorrow and was curious how it was going so far. Looks like you had a great time!

This looks like a fun trip .

• Pingback: Social distanced visit to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Rave & Review

How long did it take for wild ride, and how long did you allow for inside park ? Also kids trek of course varies, but in general?

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Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Hours updated 3 months ago

Review Highlights

“ The tram is currently down, I do believe that an electric system is being put in place so that is in transition. ” in 112 reviews

“ My family went to NW Trek for the first time this last weekend and we all loved it and can't wait to go back! ” in 20 reviews

“ Trails through the woods were well marked so that you could see wolves, bears, lynx , bobcat, cougar, and others. ” in 11 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

11610 Trek Dr E

Eatonville, WA 98328

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About the Business

Established in 1975. Dr. David "Doc" and Connie Hellyer donated the original land that became Northwest Trek Wildlife Park to Metro Parks Tacoma in 1971. After four years of diligent fundraising and planning, Northwest Trek officially opened its doors on July 17, 1975. Over the next 15 years, the park expanded its exhibits, debuting the snowy owl, cougar, bobcat, lynx, wolf and bear exhibits. On January 20, 2006, Dr. Hellyer passed away and in July of 2012, his devoted wife, Connie, passed away. Their passion and commitment to Northwest wildlife and habitats lives on at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The park continues to play a significant role in the lives of community residents and generations to come. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Is it safe to bring your toddlers?

Yea, I see families with toddlers all the time. The tram tour is 40 minutes minimum - I have been on it when it has gone an hour before - so you may want to pack snacks!

How much time do You need at this park?

It takes me roughly 3 hours to get through Northwest Trek provided I don't go on any of the trails. The tram ride is about an hour by itself. Some times, if it's cool enough outside, it will take me four if the animals are particularly active. I… more

Recommended Reviews

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• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

248 reviews

Beautiful wildlife park! Lots to see, we were there when the wolves started howling so that was the highlight of our trip! Very fun nature inspired kids play space make sure to hit on your way out. It was our first time here and I did have to ask for directions and everyone I encountered was super friendly and helpful. Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water.

One of the bald eagles

My son had wanted to go here ever since he say a Blippi episode. We finally had to chance to go. You can have an experience of driving through and walking through the park, special 4 wheel drive with walk through park, or just walking through. There are lots of picnic tables for lunch time or snack time. There is a huge play area for the kids. They also have a Cafe and food stands open during parts of the year. Don't forget a gift shop. The food was so so but we were supporting them. My son says thumbs up.

Don't think I'd spend $23 again for the walking tour but still glad we got to see some cool animals. The cats were hiding the entire time so we didn't see any during our 2 laps around the park in the morning but got some up close viewing of the bears doing funny things which was cool.

DO IT! Visited Aug 2022 Located 1hr south of Seattle is this wildlife park that you can buy tickets to walk into or drive through (which also allows you walk-in the entrance as well). You get the biggest bang for your buck if you drive through then walk in the park but we didn't have enough time to do both. We drove through in our car, which they started during the pandemic and worked out for us. I'm not sure when they'll switch from private vehicle to their brand new electric trams but it's going to happen soon. The "Wild Drive" was $90 for a vehicle up to 8 people. The walk in entrance would have been about the same cost for the 4 of us and we got to see a bunch of caribou, bison, and deer without leaving our air conditioned car. We could've seen more wildlife if we went in but we were exhausted. I wish we had spent a whole day here, I'm sure there's a ton of stuff we missed.

See all photos from Lori I. for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

We did just the walk around the park and it was excellent. Next time we will do the drive thru. All the little critters were out so it made a magical time.

See all photos from Cari J. for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

It was a great time, enjoyed it very much. The animals were so beautiful! Loved the new trams!

My and the minions love going here, best to go first thing before more people show up or all the noise may scare the animals into hiding particularly the foxes. Speaking of noise, the news electric trams were pretty good with fast access even with it being just recently started. They are a bit cramped and if the other families sharing the tram with you have a screaming miscreant child, you're stuck there for an hour with no where to run, while your sanity bleeds out your ears faster then an eldritch horror could even hope to take from you. Overall though, after the excedrine kicked in, it is always a good experience and well worth the membership.

See all photos from Eric L. for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Awesome Experience. The animals here are RESCUES and are native to the PNW. What a great experience, to learn about these animals. The Wild Drive is cool and feels like Pokemon Snap. :) 10/10 experience for people who love and care for animals, habitats and preservation of nature.

Disappointed with overall visit. There was a few animals to see and the rest were not visible or sleeping is what the staff said. We really only got to see the eagles up front and the badger. We were looking for the fox and we had multiple locals saying they've gone a lot of times and never seen the fox. They said the zoo just prompts to have people visit. I give it a 2 stars because our son liked the part for kids but that wasn't why we went for specially for over $50. Will not come again and I do not recommend.

I was disappointed in the number of animals we saw when we did the drive thru. The lady who told us about the animals and the property was great. We only saw three different animals. I'm sure if my family would have wanted to walk through the enclosure then it would have been worth the money. But the drive thru was not.

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Our Visit To Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Near Mount Rainier

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

During a recent trip to Seattle for a family reunion, we had the opportunity to do some sightseeing around the Puyallup area. We rented a great Airbnb near Graham , Washington, close to my Aunt and Uncle’s house for a few days. Our extended family with kids of all ages wanted a fun half-day outdoor excursion to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the northwest and create lasting memories. On the recommendation of my Aunt, we decided to visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Mount Rainer.

It was a wonderful experience, and we wanted to share it with the world! And here is a fun fact! Did you know that I was born and raised in Washington State?

In fact, both of my parents are from there, and most of our extended family is still in the greater Tacoma / Puyallup area. We try to travel there once every few years!

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 723-ace natural wildlife area near Mount Rainier’s base. It’s best described as a mix of a park, a wildlife preserve, and a zoo. Particularly, it offers a spectacular array of fun and engaging activities for families with kids of every age.

Just a few of the exciting things you can do at the park are watch many different native northwest animals such as grizzly bears, otters, and eagles, drive through a giant free-range preserve filled with animals, find and study the indigenous giant banana slug, and enjoy a forest-themed kids playground filled with nets, rope ladders, bridges, and slides. 

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Tickets

Preferably, you should purchase your tickets in advance. The price per ticket is $3 less if you purchase online rather than at the entry gate.  

You can purchase tickets here: https://www.nwtrek.org/visit/prices/

Online prices per ticket:

• Ages 65+: $20
• Ages 13-64: $22
• Ages 5-12: $14
• Ages 3-4: $10
• Ages 0-2: FREE

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Hours Of Operation

The hours and days of operation vary depending on the time of year. I highly recommend you check out the Northwest Trek hours of operation before planning your visit.  

How To Get There

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Address: 11610 Trek Drive East, Eatonville, WA 98328

Dining, Parking, Rentals, And Other Amenities

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has a restaurant and snack shop called the Forest Cafe near the main entrance. It offers a good selection of foods for kids and adults. They have burgers, chicken tenders, fries, drinks, snacks, and kids’ meals. Trek Treats is a snack kiosk open seasonally and located along the walking paths. Furthermore, the park has a sheltered picnic pavilion, meadow tables, and free water refilling stations. 

The Gift Shop is lovely and has a wide selection of artisan-made pacific northwest gifts and souvenirs.  

The park is ADA-accessible. You can rent single strollers for $10 and double strollers for $12. Wheelchairs can be rented for $12. Additionally, they even rent umbrellas for $6 for those rainy Washington days!

How Long Does It Take To See Everything at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park?

If you plan to walk around the park, see the animals, explore the Cheney Discovery Center, and play at the playground, you should plan on spending about 2.5 hours. Also, you should budget extra time if you are scheduled to take the vehicle tours. Be sure to check the hours of operation before you visit, as they vary considerably depending on the time of year.  

Walking Paths At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has a network of excellent walking paths snaking throughout the park. Walking these paths is a fantastic way to get a feel for the natural majesty and beauty of the pacific northwest. The emerald green landscape is lush and filled with massive trees, delicate ferns, shady glens, crystal clear creeks, and bucolic ponds.

Map Of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

You can download a map of the park, and its trails, here . It’s a great resource when navigating the park and planning your visit. In addition, I will also insert a copy here now.

Seeing The Animals At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

The walking paths will lead you through a wonderfully designed set of natural enclosures that will get you breathtakingly close to all kinds of animals, large and small. 

Part of the path will lead through upper and lower deck viewing areas where you can see grizzly bears (brown bears) and black bears. Nearby are separate enclosures with red foxes, wolverines, and grey wolves.

Further along, is the “cat loop.” This trail takes you to several large areas inhabited by cougars, lynx, and bobcats. Another part of the walking trail takes you through beautiful enclosures designed to be both above and below water.

You can watch playful river otters, raccoons, skunks, porcupines, and beavers here. A trail branch is designated for birds called “Eagle Passage.” Also, they have several gorgeous bald and golden eagles, owls, and vultures here. These massive birds are regal and beautiful. Sadly, they cannot fly due to pre-existing injuries and are living their best lives at the park. 

Animal Encounters at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

When we went, the animals were active and easily visible. It was a warm summer day in late July, almost hot by Pacific Northwest standards. The river otters were fascinating to watch, with their limitless energy and desire to play.

Likewise, the aquatic displays are especially great for kids because they can get a close-up view of the river creatures. A massive grey wolf rested probably three feet from us, just beyond the glass viewing area. The wolverines darted to and fro. The weather was dry, and it hadn’t rained in a few days, so, unfortunately, the beloved and iconic banana slugs were in hiding, much to Matt’s dismay.

The cats were also lying back in the shade for the most part. Obviously, if we had gone earlier in the day when there was less heat, more of them would have been out and about. Nonetheless, we were able to catch a glimpse of most of them.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park may be the only smallish park I have ever visited that is home to grizzly bears and wolves. It was a fantastic treat to see the vast array of animals, some of which you may only see in major metropolitan zoos and other world-class facilities.

Kids Trek Playground

The Kids Trek Playground is at the front of the park, near the main entrance and dining area. Kids Trek is a fun and well-designed playground. Specifically, it’s perfect for kids ages 3-8.

The playground is themed like a forest landscape. Its centerpiece is an impressive fake 20-foot tall hollow tree stump you can climb inside to access the upper level of the playground. In addition, there are rope nets and ladders connecting different areas, tunnels where small ones can crawl and explore, and several fun slides.

A charming little stream flows through the playground, allowing kids to get a little wet as they play safely. The area is a lot of fun, even for adventurous adults, and is a great place to blow off steam and wear the kids out. Also, its proximity to the dining area and restrooms makes it a perfect spot to spend time and enjoy the outdoors.

Above all, this was the biggest hit with my 3-year-old nephew!

Cheney Discovery Center

Located nearer the back of the park, the Cheney Discovery Center is an interpretive nature center packed with many fun things for younger kids to do and see. The building houses various reptiles, gophers, snakes, amphibians, banana slugs, and other creatures viewable in tanks. It’s got tons of puzzles and books to occupy small kids and educate them about the local flora and fauna. There is an extensive collection of animal-themed puppets and a stage where you host your own puppet show!

The Cheney Discovery Center is home to a large and diverse array of stuffed animals (the taxidermied kind) where kids can touch and learn about many small and large animals up close. Equally important, the King of the Invertebrates, the banana slug, is prominently represented. You can see them in tanks, watch videos about them, and read everything you ever wanted to know about these fascinating gastropods.

Furthermore, an on-site naturalist is available at the Center to guide you through the exhibits or answer any questions you or your children may have. 

E.H. Baker Cabin 

Abutting the wolf enclosure is a building called the E.H. Baker Cabin. In this forest cabin, kids can crawl through a tunnel, explore a variety of educational tools about wolves, and become regular members of a wolf pack! There’s a natural wolf pelt to feel and an exhibit explaining how we can all do science daily.

This is an excellent place for kids to play, imagine, and channel their inner naturalist.

Self-Guided And Guided Driving Tours at Northwest Trek

Although we didn’t do this, I wanted to mention the driving tours. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Mount Rainier offers two types of driving tours through its 435-acre free-roam area. Both include park admission, so factor that into your decision.

In one, you drive your own vehicle, and the other, albeit much more costly, allows you to ride in theirs. The free-roam area is a game preserve inhabited by numerous animals that can move freely and graze across a large area of grass and woodlands. You can see Roosevelt elk, moose, bison, and mountain goats living in their natural habitat.

The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Wild Drive

The Wild Drive is self-led and allows you to drive your car on designated roads throughout the free-roam area. The price is $90/group for non-members . The maximum group size is eight and includes the people in your vehicle. The tour is about an hour long. Reservations are required.

Park admission is included with this option, so it may actually be a way to save money if you have a large group.

Keeper Adventure Tour

The Keeper Adventure Tour is a guided jeep tour through the free-roam area. A park naturalist takes your group in a jeep on a guided tour. These tours are much more personalized and allow you to get closer to the animals wherever they might be grazing. The price is $90/per person for non-members .

The maximum group size is nine. The tour is about an hour and a half long. Reservations are required. All guests must be 5 or older to participate.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Tram Rides

A tram ride through the animal free roam area was once very popular in the park. As of this writing, the tram rides have been temporarily suspended. The park is replacing the legacy trams with new modern electric trams. The trams will, hopefully, again be available soon, with an anticipated launch date of September 2023.

The Zip Wild zip line course is also closed until further notice.

Honestly, we didn’t miss either of them and had a great time exploring the park on foot.

Plan Your Visit to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Without a doubt, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Mount Rainier is a great place to take your family. It offers so many different options for fun. It is a perfect way to explore the beautiful natural world of the Pacific Northwest. Walking through the park and watching the amazing animals will leave you with a sense of awe and reverence for nature.

Lastly, seeing the animals in the wild and learning about their life and habitat is a magical learning opportunity for your family. Playing at Kids Trek and exploring the Cheney Nature Center add to this beautiful park’s fun and excitement too. I highly recommend making Northwest Trek Wildlife Park a part of your trip to Mount Rainier, Seattle, Tacoma, or Washington State.

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2 Comments on “Our Visit To Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Near Mount Rainier”

What a great review! Thank you! Trams start back up in late September 2023.

Hope you come back and visit again!

I am glad that you enjoyed it David! I will update my post to show that date!

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Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Sarah

Northwest Trek – Wild Drive Tours & Wild Walk Experience

This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated for this post. Please read our disclosure policy here .

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Northwest Trek – Wild Drive Tours & Wild Walk

Northwest Trek , one of our favorite places to visit here in Pierce County, is expanding their opening to the public. They first opened in mid May after they have been closed for several months due to the Stay at Home orders with Wild Drive tours. And they are now expanding into the Wild Walk experience available too. We will share more below about each of these options and you can choose to do one or the other or both options for visiting Northwest Trek right now.

Wild Walk Experience:

Just as Point Defiance Zoo is opening in mid June, so is Northwest Trek featuring the Wild Walk experience (in addition to the Wild Drive experience that is going on now), which is opening on Thursday June 18th, 2020 . You will be able to purchase tickets for the Wild Walk experience starting Wednesday June 10th, 2020 .

The Wild Walk is a chance to see the animals along the walking path around the park. It will be different in that they will have a one -way route marked throughout the park for social distancing. They are also requiring timed tickets so they can control the number of people at the park. (Start purchasing your tickets on Wed 6/10). Everyone needs a timed ticket, bought online beforehand, even members.

Changes during the Wild Walk Experience :

There will  be  changes in your Northwest Trek experience for the safety of all the guests & employees. Here are the changes:

• One Way Path around the Northwest Trek walking paths to see animals  – these will be marked with arrows & signs around Northwest Trek
• You are encouraged to wear a mask & keep your 6 foot distance between people
• Kids Trek, Zip Wild, Cheney Discovery Center, Baker Cabin, Forest Cafe, picnic pavilion, trams & other trails will be closed
• There will be no Keeper Chats to avoid congestion
• They will have kiosks for outside food & drink (no outside food allowed)
• Drinking fountains will be closed, so bring your water bottles full (& extra bottles if you need to refill)
• No stroller/wheelchair/scooter rentals – so bring your own if you need this
• No cash – so bring debit/credit cards for any in-trek purchases

What will be the Hours?

Starting Thurs 6/18, they will be open daily from 9:30am – 6:30pm.  The last timed ticket entry will be 5:30pm, though.

Also, they will be offering a special visiting time for seniors over 65 & those at high risk of Covid-19 on Tuesdays from 9:30 – 10:30am. So you will need to choose that time when you buy your tickets.

Wild Drive Tours:

They have started Wild Drive Premier Tours   – this is where you are allowed to drive in your own car thru the free roaming area of Northwest Trek, instead of riding the Tram ride. You can use your own car to drive thru & see the moose, bison, mountain goats, bighorn sheep & more! Definitely an up-close & personal look at the animals in a way that has never happened before, while being able to safely follow the governor’s health & safety protocols right now.

This may be available for a limited time & it’s such a unique opportunity, but reservations are required so that you have special timed ticket times to arrive & drive thru this area.  They will also have an app to download so you can listen to information on the tour from the lead car, telling you about the animals you will see & information typically.

This information is on  Northwest Trek’s Facebook Page : Tours are guided with a staff lead car who narrates the tour and a trailing car. They said to allow about an hour total & around 45 minutes in the free roaming area with the small tour group.  There is no restroom access during the tour and very limited restroom access before or after the tour is what their site says under FAQ.

(If you have a Northwest Trek membership, the membership will be extended for however long they are closed – if it’s 3 months, then it will be extended 3 months, etc. This is a separate activity that is not included with membership, but they do give members a $10 discount per vehicle. Contact Northwest Trek for more information & questions about the extended membership. See more details on their  Facebook page here ). 

We heard from reader Terese who visited in May & here’s what she had to say:

It was pricey but we figured it was a great way to continue to support the zoo that we love so much. We just got back from the experience and loved it! You feel a ton closer to the animals in your car!

You line up in the parking lot and they give you an app to download so you can listen the the tour like the tram. There is a lead car telling you about the park and doing the look here thing. They have it really organized and made sure everything is done carefully.

Details of the Wild Drive Tours :

Cost per vehicle (not person): $70 for members / $80 for non-members Ages: this is available for any age, but it should be one family or household per vehicle, with a maximum of 8 people per vehicle General Public Tours: Starting May 27th, open on Wednesdays – Sundays (see website for sold out dates)

*Remember that reservations are required for this drive-thru tour! This may be quite popular, so you will want to call quickly to reserve a day/time.

Do you have discounts for snap card holders?

Hi Jordon, I don’t know if they offer any discounts. You might want to ask Northwest Trek directly here: [email protected]

Dear Northwwest Trek, We are a family of 10 and would love to come visit. We could it be possible for us to exceed the maximum amount of 8 to 10 so the whole family could go? We drive a 15 passenger van. Thank you so much for your time & attention. Sincerely, Sara Rehnert

Hi Sara – We are not Northwest Trek, but we just shared this information we found on their website, so I would definitely reach out to their customer service folks to find out the answer. Here’s their email: [email protected]

Are they in cages or is this free range?

This is the free range roaming area that you would be driving thru.

I need clarification on quantity. Is it vehicles or people?

Their website says up to 8 people per vehicle for $80 vehicle, but you can also email them if you have further questions. Thanks!

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Two Weeks in Costa Rica

Travel and Moving Blog

Samara: Guanacaste’s Most Overlooked Beach Town

• Jenn and Matt
• Destinations

171 Comments

Last Updated: April 8, 2022

Many of the beach towns in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province have become extremely popular over the years due to their gorgeous sands and turquoise waters. Development has hit the northern Pacific coast, and those interested in luxury condos and world-class cuisine don’t have to look far. But for others seeking a more authentic visit to Costa Rica, there is Samara. While Samara has its share of amenities, it still has a local vibe and small beach-town feel. In this post, we’ll give our tips for getting the most out of your visit to Samara, including recommendations for hotels, activities, and restaurants.

About Samara

Samara is located in Guanacaste Province on the northern Pacific coast. It is about two hours from Liberia International Airport (LIR). The drive from the airport is along all paved roads, making it is an easy destination to reach.

One of the main draws of Samara is its centrally located downtown. The downtown abuts the beach and is full of restaurants, trendy boutique shops, tour operators, and some small hotels.

Another draw is its surrounding forest and wildlife. Unlike areas to the north, thick tropical dry forest borders Samara. Even on hotel grounds, you can find animals like monkeys, iguanas, and many kinds of birds.

Samara’s biggest attraction is its beautiful beach. Playa Samara attracts all types of travelers with its rows of palm trees and light tan sand. You will find 20-somethings grabbing a beer at one of the beachside bars, couples strolling at sunset, and children at play in the calmer ocean waters.

Tip: If you’re looking for a more developed beach town in Guanacaste, consider Tamarindo , Playa Flamingo , Playas del Coco, or Playa Hermosa .

Activities in Samara

While many people visiting Samara do little more than hang out at the beach, there are plenty of things to do. Here are some activities that will show you hidden waterfalls, beaches, and nature-filled forest.    

The main beach, Playa Samara , is the area’s most popular and for good reason.

The wide cove has relatively calm water due to a coral reef just offshore. This makes it a decent place to swim and also enjoy water sports. It’s one of the better beaches in Costa Rica for families.

Playa Carrillo is more of a locals’ beach, just to the south. This beach is also very pretty, with light sand, rows of palms, and calm waves for swimming. It doesn’t have the amenities of Playa Samara like restaurants and tour operators so be sure to bring everything you need for the day.

To learn more about this beach, read our post, Playa Carrillo: A Favorite Locals’ Beach in Guanacaste .

Playa Barrigona is farther from town and accessible if you have a rental car. This beach is the site of Mel Gibson’s seaside estate and considered by many to be the most beautiful in the area.

Although it is a trek to get to along rough, dirt roads, we were impressed once we arrived. The sand is bright white, the water is intensely blue, and it feels far removed from civilization.

If you venture to Playa Barrigona, bring everything you need as there isn’t anything for miles. Don’t leave valuables in your car as there have been problems with theft. A 4×4 vehicle is recommended, especially for the rainy season.

Directions to Playa Barrigona: Playa Barrigona is 1 km off the main road that goes to Nosara. The entrance was unmarked at the time of our visit. During the dry season, you can take the shortcut through the riverbed from Samara and get there in 15-20 minutes.

In the rainy season, it will take a bit longer via the inland route up Route 160 and over the Buena Vista River Bridge.

Hiking at Werner-Sauter Biological Reserve

This is the best option for hiking in the area. The Werner-Sauter Biological Reserve is a 140 hectare (346 acre) private reserve just outside Samara. Here, you can discover the tropical dry forest and learn from an expert guide why it is such an important, though often overlooked, ecosystem.

In between observing the Reserve’s abundant wildlife like monkeys, porcupines, and owls, you will climb to a lookout with an amazing view of the beach and forest.

We loved our trek through the Reserve. We couldn’t believe how much wildlife we saw and how much we learned, even after hiking throughout Costa Rica.

The hike through the Werner-Sauter Reserve is moderately difficult and you need a guide to visit.

For more information, read our post, Samara Trails: Exploring the Tropical Dry Forest .

Water Activities

The gentle waves at Playa Samara are perfect for beginner surfers, including kids.

There are several different surf companies along the main beach in Samara. Lessons are around $60-80 per person, depending on if you want a group or private lesson.

Diving and Snorkeling

If you’re interested in diving, the Samara area has some good spots to check out.

Neighboring beaches host shipwrecks where you can see creatures like white-tip reef sharks, snapper, and maybe even hammerhead sharks and bull sharks. Conditions are better during the rainy season (May to November) when the water is cooler. Two-tank dives (5 hrs.) are around $120.

While diving is typically better in Samara, you  also   can snorkel. Many people combine kayaking with snorkeling on a visit to the white-sand Isla Chora. Kayak-snorkel tours to Isla Chora are around $50. 

Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

A fun way to explore the scenic coastline near Samara is on a boat tour. Not only do these tours get you out on the water, but dolphins can be seen in and around the bay year-round. When we did this tour, bottlenose dolphins were swimming right under the boat, catching the waves. You also can see whales seasonally.

Dolphin watching tours are around $60 per person. If you have a group, you can even rent the whole boat. Learn more with our post, Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling in Samara .

Belen Waterfall

Only 20 minutes from downtown Samara is the Belen Waterfall. This small cascade and series of swimming holes is a popular spot among locals, yet few tourists know about it. The entrance is located in the middle of the countryside and is unmarked. There are no facilities and you will find only a rustic trail that leads to the river.

Tours are available, but it is easy enough to go on your own if you have a rental car . Just be sure to have good directions as we drove right past it our first time.

Important : We recommend visiting this waterfall during the dry season only (approx. late December to early April) for safety reasons.

Read our post, Belen Waterfall: A Hidden Swimming Hole Near Samara , for more information.

Horseback Riding

Another fun way to experience Samara’s beautiful scenery is on a horseback tour. Most operators include a ride through the jungle, where you’re likely to see wildlife, as well as some time to trot on the palm-tree-lined beach. Prices for tours are around $50 per person. 

Visit a Macaw Center

About 50 minutes south of Samara is a macaw parrot breeding center that is doing some amazing work. Scarlet and Great Green Macaw Parrots have become endangered in Costa Rica, and this group is working to increase the population through their breeding program.

This is not a wildlife rehabilitation center. Instead, they breed the parrots and then let them fly free. At the center, you will get to see hundreds of these charismatic birds coming back to the center to feed.

If you have your own car, you can reserve a tour directly through the Macaw Recovery Network’s website ($20 per person). If you don’t have one, tours with transportation are possible.

Restaurants in Samara

Samara has an impressive selection of restaurants for such a small town. Here are some of the best places we’ve tried.

Cantina de Baco

Cantina de Baco is a newer spot with a really fun vibe. Their concept is flavors from around the world and connecting the community with local art.

A tapas menu offers many choices for dishes, organized by country. Some of our favorites were the local enyucados (yucca and cheese croquettes), Gallo Duo with homemade chorizo, and Mediterranean shrimp. Look for this restaurant near the soccer field in town. Their menu is on Facebook .

Another great addition to Samara’s restaurant scene i s Teca Beach . The French-inspired dinner spot offers upscale cuisine and unique ambiance. Costa Rican coffee bags adorn the ceiling, and soft lighting creates an intimate feel. Teca Beach has a tapas menu, fish and meat dishes, and delicious burgers.

Samara Pacific Lodge

Another excellent choice for dinner is Samara Pacific Lodge . This French restaurant has a small menu, which rotates daily, but you can’t go wrong with the choices. Typical offerings are fresh fish, pork, beef, and shrimp. They also have an option for kids. Our tuna steak was cooked perfectly, and we also loved our pork with apple and pineapple sauce. Wine pairings are available for all entrees.

This restaurant has only six tables and a small bar so be sure to make reservations. 

Bouticafe Bohemia

For the freshest food around, there’s Bouticafe Bohemia . This chic, yet casual, breakfast and lunch spot offers healthy smoothies and lighter options for food.

Much of what goes into the toastinis, salads, crepes, and bagels is homemade, like the almond butter, jam, and pesto. Our brie and apple crepe and veggie sandwich were just what we needed after a lot of travel. Bouticafe Bohemia also doubles as a yoga and Pilates studio. 

Gusto Beach

While in Samara, you have to take advantage of the beachside dining. Gusto Beach is one of the best spots in town. They have tables set up right on the sand, good cocktails, and delicious food, with many Italian offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

During a road trip through Guanacaste, we had one of our favorite meals at El Lagarto . The concept at El Lagarto is simple. They cook everything—meat, fish, and veggies—on a one-of-a-kind wood-fired grill. Everything gets that smoky char flavor, and the grill masters really know how to cook meat to perfection. Prices are a little high, but they use naturally raised meats and organic produce. 

Boulangerie

For authentic French baguettes and decadent croissants, don’t miss the Boulangerie . This bakery is a little off the main drag but easily found by looking for the big “Boulangerie” sign on the front of the building. We wish we lived closer to Samara so that we could enjoy their breads and treats all the time. 

Samara Organics

Samara Organics is a small organic food market right in the center of town. In addition to produce, they also have coffee, fresh juices, breads, locally made snacks, and natural products like insect repellent and essential oils. 

If you’re interested in checking out the local farmers market , it’s now on Saturdays in the park on the side street near Samara Organics. Here’s a map with the location. Open 9 am – 1 pm.

Microbar is definitely the coolest place in town. The tiny, dimly lit space and eclectic décor will make you feel like you’ve stepped off the beach and into a trendy speakeasy in the city.

Microbar has the largest selection of local craft beers on tap that we’ve ever seen in Costa Rica. When we visited, there were 20 or so brews. We tried a bunch of different sample sizes. Aletails (cocktails made with beer) are also available.

Opens at 5 p.m. Cash only. 

Hotels in Samara

Samara has a range of hotels for all budgets. You won’t find large chain hotels here, but rather quaint villas, lodges, and hostels. Many are located right in town, which is great if you’re traveling without a rental car. If you prefer something more secluded and quiet, there are also places outside the downtown.

Here are our picks for lodging in Samara.

Montelaguna Boutique Hotel

We’ve stayed at Montelaguna Boutique Hotel and really enjoyed it. This hotel is outside town, just a few minutes’ walk to the beautiful Playa Carrillo. Rooms are modern and range from affordable double and triple rooms to spacious suites that are great for families and groups. The pool is also really nice. $90-200, includes breakfast. Check Rates and Availability Here .

Villas Kalimba

Villas Kalimba is right in town, but feels very private. The six individual units are surrounded by lush flowering gardens and a tranquil pool. The property is also directly across from the beach. Each villa is equipped with a kitchen for when you want to eat in, and the owner/chef is sometimes available to cook meals as well. The staff at Villas Kalimba is very friendly and helpful. $115-250 double occupancy. Check Rates and Availability Here .

Hotel Belvedere

Hotel Belvedere is a favorite among visitors. Although the property is located just a short walk to town, it is more secluded and quiet. The small hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with balconies overlooking the jungle. Wildlife like monkeys, birds, and iguanas are often seen around the grounds. The hotel is divided into two separate buildings, each with its own pool area. $60-75, double occupancy. Check Rates and Availability Here .

Samara Pacific Lodge is a comfortable budget option in a secluded location surrounded by pasture and forest. The hotel has four types of rooms, including some larger family rooms able to accommodate six people. The large saltwater pool and comfy lounge chairs are very inviting, and of course, staying here means easy access to the lodge’s delicious French restaurant (mentioned above).

It is best to have a rental car as it a few miles from the downtown. $80-185. Check Rates and Availability Here .

Hostel Samara

This hostel is a great option for backpackers looking for an inexpensive place to stay close to town. Hostel Samara has three dorms and also five private rooms with A/C if you’re looking for more comfort. A spacious common area has TV, some space for lounging and checking email, and a well-equipped kitchen. Shared dorm, $16-20 per person; Private room, $45-$60 (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here .

If you’re looking for a laid-back beach escape, you’ll love Samara. Although this modest town doesn’t span more than a few blocks, it offers everything you need for a fun and exciting vacation. 

Have a question about visiting Samara? Ask it below. 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book a hotel using one of the links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our Privacy Policy for more information.

Looking for more info to plan your trip to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:

Llanos de Cortez Waterfall – Tips for visiting one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Guanacaste.

La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination   – Samara is a great beach town, but for adventure activities like zip lining, hanging bridges, and whitewater rafting, you can’t beat La Fortuna. Read our guide for visiting here.

Manuel Antonio Trip Planning : Trying to decide if Samara is right for you? Manuel Antonio is another family-friendly destination with a ton of wildlife. Learn more about this popular central Pacific coast town with this post.

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A Complete Guide To The Hip Beach Town of Samara, Costa Rica

If you are looking for an under the radar town to spend your time in Costa Rica in, do yourself a favour and visit Samara, Costa Rica. It is a hip beach town, the perfect size and there are so many things to do in Samara, Costa Rica that you can easily fill up your time.

I would consider Samara the little sister of Nosara. It is a bit smaller and still retains an authentic Costa Rican culture.

Samara is only 30 minutes from Nosara and it is a lot cheaper. It is also located in the Guanacaste province. It should definitely be added to your Costa Rica Travel plans.

Samara, Costa Rica crime rates are low making it super safe for families and solo travellers as well

CHECK OUT OTHER POSTS ON COSTA RICA:

• Nosara Travel Guide:   The Complete Guide to staying in Nosara
• Unique Hotel In Nicoya  : Add this jungle luxury hotel to your Costa Rica Itinerary
• Things To Do In Playa Pelada Beach: The Best Beach in Nosara
• Costa Rica Travel Agent : We Booked our entire Costa Rica Trip with The Travelogist and it was amazing

How To Get To Playa Samara Beach Costa Rica from Liberia

Samara Costa Rica is located in the province of Guanacaste in the Nicoya region. This little town can be reached by car in about 2.5 hours from Liberia International Airport. This is the easiest way to get there. The roads on this route are pretty paved and well maintained.

If you are coming from San Jose, Costa Rica the drive is about 4.5 hours.

Group or Private Shuttle

There are lots of shuttles that leave on the daily from Liberia Airport to the town of Samara. If you booked a shuttle with a group, the price per person on average is about $50-$60. If you book a private shuttle to Samara, you are looking at about $150 total. Prices are in USD!

Public Transportation

Travelling to Samara Costa Rica on a budget? Lots of people are and taking public transportation there is a great way to keep your Samara budget on track! There are buses twice daily from the Liberia Airport and you can see that schedule here. Routes from Liberia to Samara show 3 hours but expect some delays

How To Get To Samara Beach from Nosara?

There is a long route from Nosara to Samara that is recommended if you do not have an SUV. This route is through Nicoya on Route 21. From Route 21, you will then take Route 150 right into the town of Samara. It is very straightforward.

The short route or short cut is through Route 160 which requires you to cross a river. The river is called Rio Buena Vista and during dry season, it is very shallow and easy to cross. One week when we crossed, there was almost no water.

During wet season, I would avoid the short cut from Nosara to Samara.

When to Visit Samara Costa Rica?

In my opinion, the best time to visit Playa Samara is between March-April. Crowds from the holiday season have tampered off a bit and you are still not in rainy season.

The town of Samara gets very busy during high season which runs from December to end of April with the absolute peak time being from December- February. I would avoid it at that time.

Rainy season is from May-November. While there is something special about rainy season in Costa Rica, it also can be very frustrating with flooding and difficulty getting around.

Samara, Costa Rica weather or Costa Rica weather in general can be unpredictable though so there are times when you expect rain and it could turn out to be beautiful!

Samara boasts an active expat community, comprised of mostly North Americans and Europeans.  Around 1,500 people make up Samara and its outskirts year round.  

Looking to visit some other tropical destinations? Check out these posts!

• Cancun or Tulum: Which Mexican hotspot is right for you?
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Antigua and Barbuda
• Best Caribbean Islands for First Timers
• Review of the most luxurious cruise ship: Celebrity Ascent!

How Many Days Do You Need In Sámara beach?

Some people quickly pass through Samara for a day or two and some people come to Playa Samara and never leave!! haha.

If you are staying in Nosara, you can easily do a day trip to Samara.

If you are doing a whole trip through the Nicoya peninsula, I would recommend 2-3 days to really take it all in!!

The Best Hotels in Samara

Playa Samara features a lot of price friendly hotels, bed and breakfasts and Air Bnb options. Accommodations are much cheaper than in Nosara ( almost half the price) so that is worth considering when planning your Costa Rica Trip.

There are some great Samara, Costa Rica Air Bnb options as well!

If you are looking for hotels though, below are the best hotels in Samara based on each pricing level.

Hotel Azura-Top End Option

Hotel Azura is a luxury all inclusive option that is a new spot in the area. It is on the south end of Samara beach and very secluded. The pool is the real eye show stopper of the resort and although Samara beach is beautiful it is very hard not to set up shop there.

Travelling with kids though? Unfortunately this hotel is Adult only!

Price Range: $400 +

Book a Hostel Stay with Hostel World HERE

Mid-range hotel in samara.

Villas Kalimba is a mid range hotel that has a great location, beautiful pool and bigger rooms. A lot of the rooms have mini kitchenettes which is great if you want to cook or store some items! Definitely recommend this place if you are travelling with kids!

Price Range: $200 +

Samara Palm Lodge-Budget Hotel Option in Samara

Samara Lodge is one of the most reasonable places to stay in Playa Samara and is rated one of the best overall places to stay by Trip Advisor.

Samara Lodge is a 5 minute walk from the beach so it’s quieter than some places directly on the beach. The rooms are simple but a great option for the price.

Price Range: $75 +

The Best Restaurants in Samara Costa Rica

You will not have a problem grabbing a bite to eat in Samara. There are plenty of restaurants along the beach and on the main strip. Another great thing about the Samara food scene is that you can find a mix of just about everything! Local Tico places, Fresh Vegetarian Options, Italian, American and they even have a Super Samara supermarket if you want to cook up something yourself.

Here are some of my favourite Samara restaurants!

Gusto Beach Restaurant- The Best Restaurant in Samara

Gusto Beach is the best beachfront restaurant in Samara. This Italian restaurant makes you feel like you have been transported to Italy! It has a killer Aperol Spritz list and really good pizzas

If Italian food isn’t your thing (Are you Ok?), they do have plenty of other options on the menu.

This place is great for breakfast, lunch OR dinner. The Dinner crowd/scene is a bit more rowdy while during the day it is very chill.

This place is a steakhouse and barbeque restaurant. It features a one of a kind wood burning grill which makes the dishes truly unique. It also has prime real estate on the beach! If you are looking for a nice dinner in Samara Beach, this restaurant is a nice option.

Prices are similar to Gusto Beach.

Bohemia Café

This cute little cafe in Playa Samara, just off the main street, is a great spot to grab breakfast or lunch. It serves up juices, crepes, paninis, pastries and some unique coffees. If you are a digital nomad, you can sit here and work too on their outdoor patio.

Prices are very reasonable.

L’Authentique

L’ Authentique  is home away from home. The ambiance, food, and service team welcome you as if you were long-lost family or friends returning after a long trip. Julien and Eva are the charming, ever jovial couple. They are attentive, efficient, and super friendly. 

This tapas restaurant with French inspired cuisine and wine is 10/10. It features imported cheeses, cured meats and unique sharing style dishes. They also have the most amazing French bread. The ambience is also something special.

TIP: Get the Tapas platter. Best bang for your buck!

Marea Surf Shop Cafe

Located on the main strip, this place is all sorts of cool. It is not only a cafe but it is also a surf shop with some nice gear. We both picked up a Marea branded tshirt and felt like we were cool Costa Rican Tico surfers haha.

They serve up coffees, smoothie, pastries and ACAI BOWLS! Yum. Naturally I got one of those and it was very, very yummy.

Malehu Coffee

One of the newer places in town, Malehu Coffee has delicious coffee in a modern and chic setting. This is located just off the main strip. It is open bright and early at 7AM which was nice for us since the kids were up really early!

First class spot all the way! The pastries are fancy and so are the lattes and it was a nice change of pace from some casual breakfasts we were having. Very good! They have Italian and European coffee and also Costa Rican coffee.

Microbar- The Best Place For a Cocktail in Samara

This little bar in Samara was very cute and had craft beers, speciality cocktails and happy hour specials. It is just a tiny little space but has big personality. We loved the decor inside and as the sun went down, the place really got busy. There isn’t a ton of nightlife in Samara so Microbar is a great place to meet friends for drinks

Some other Amazing Restaurants in Samara worth checking out:

• Falafel Cafe – Mediterranean Food
• La Dolce Vita- Another Italian Spot. Kind of similar to Gusto Beach. More lounge-y!
• La Aldrea- Amazing smoothies and juices!
• Casa Esmeralda- The best place for fresh seafood! Loved the Calamari
• Luv Burger- With a spot in Nosara and now Samara, this is a great spot for a Veggie burger…and a vibe!
• Roots Bakery- fresh pastries and great coffee!

The Best Things To Do in Playa Samara

There are lots of things to do in Samara, Costa Rica but you can also just sit at the beach and lounge the entire time. We did a bit of both and loved the balance of it all. Here are some of our favourite things that we got up to in Playa Samara.

Werner Sauter Biological Reserve

Werner Sauter Biological Reserve is a great place to spend a morning or afternoon. You can see a range of animals like birds, monkeys and other types of wildlife!

The Macau reserve is close by so don’t be surprised to find some flying around here too!

There are also hiking trails within and there is a rewarding look out point of the town and beaches!

You can do this with a guide or with a tour or you can do it on your own! Doing it with a guide is about $60 per person.

Visit Nearby Beaches

While Playa Samara is a beautiful and fun beach, if you are staying in town for a few days you should definitely check out some of the neighbouring beaches.

Playa Carillo and Playa Barrigona are about 10-15PM away and are two of the most beautiful beaches in not only the Nicoya but in all of Costa Rica. They are comparable with the beaches on the pacific coast or dare I say Central America in general. Seriously stunning shorelines.

Playa Samara is sandwiched between the two so get in an ATV or car and do a little day trip to either!

You can also go further south down to Santa Teresa!

Visit A Waterfall

 La Roca Waterfall is only about 15-20 minutes away from Samara and is definitely worth checking out if you are in town for a few days. There isn’t a ton of waterfalls in the Nicoya area so it’s a great option to get your Costa Rica waterfall fix. It’s about 20 minutes to get to the waterfall itself and is an easy hike.

Keep in mind this is not like the waterfalls near Manuel Antonio

Take Surf Lessons in Playa Samara

Taking Surfing lessons in the Nicoya area of Costa Rica is a rite of passage and pretty much something that should be mandatory! It really gives you a true feel of what life is like in these areas.

Tico’s Surf School is a great option to book a lesson. Playa Samara is also a great beach to learn to surf as the waves are very small compared to Nosara.

Snorkle at Isla Chorro

Not far from Samara, is the little island called Isla Chorro. There are local boats that can bring you out there to snorkel or you can rent a kayak if you really feel adventurous! You can see some beautiful fish ….and some times there is even dolphin spotting’s!

Helpful Hints for your Visit to Samara Costa Rica

• Samara, Costa Rica has a big expat scene so expect to see a lot of international travellers
• There is a supermarket there if you need groceries. The town of Nicoya is about 25 minutes away if you need to hit a bigger box store
• Most places accept Credit Cards
• There are no public bathrooms on the beach

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[…] Samara Travel Guide: The Complete Guide to staying in SamaraUnique Hotel In Nicoya : Add this jungle luxury hotel to your Costa Rica ItineraryThings To Do In Playa Pelada Beach: The Best Beach in NosaraCosta Rica Travel Agent: We Booked our entire Costa Rica Trip with The Travelogist and it was amazing […]

[…] to look into the different areas of Costa Rica, you can explore Puntarenas, Ojochal, Tamarindo, Samara, or the Santa Teresa areas. In this Costa Rica itinerary 5 days we will be exploring the popular […]

The Nosara vibe is totally different to Samara… which is also larger and more diverse in a number of ways… Nosara being more of a “trust-fund hippy set” from its surf destination inception… Sámara is not Nosara’s lil’ sis’.

At the risk of being ‘nit-picky’, Luv Burger was established in Sámara before heading to Nosara.

As with many Guanacaste beach havens, over-development and commercialization is frequently to the detriment of Tico’s and the road/traffic/transport, water supply/waste management, internet and communications infrastructure simply can’t keep up… put simply its all getting to big and too busy too fast… sorry, but the plethora of blogs posted by short-term transient nomads is not help the communities and neighbouring pueblos & barrios.

Sámara does have ‘quiet days’ even through the December to February’peak’ – something to be grateful for as the once ‘dreamy somnambulant paee’ takes us back to times of real ‘pura vida’ – that being, grateful for each naturally abundant day or night.

Bendiciones y Saludos

Agree absolutely.

[…] https://thedaydreamdiaries.com/guide-to-samara-costa-rica/ […]

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37 Best Stops Between Playa Samara and Manuel Antonio

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How long is the drive from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio?

The direct drive from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio is 177 mi (284 km) , and should have a drive time of 5 hrs 55 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Arenal Volcano National Park , San Jose , La Fortuna de San Carlos , Tamarindo , Jaco , Garabito Municipality , and Alajuela , as well as top places to visit like Palo Verde Boat Tours and Samara Beach, or the ever-popular Guiones Beach.

Top cities between Playa Samara and Manuel Antonio

Parque nacional volcán arenal.

Municipality of Garabito

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Best stops along Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio drive

Guiones beach.

Palo Verde Boat Tours

Samara beach, catarata llanos del cortés y poza escondida, parque nacional palo verde, centro de rescate las pumas, parque nacional volcán tenorio, santa teresa beach, montezuma waterfalls trailhead and parking lot, místico arenal hanging bridges, curi-cancha reserve, monteverde cloud forest biological preserve, baldi hot springs resort hotel & spa, fortuna waterfall, tortuga island tour.

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Adventure Park & Hotel Vista Golfo

Proyecto asis, jose´s crocodile river tour, poás volcano, the riding adventure, rescate wildlife rescue center, doka estate costa rica coffee tour and plantation, national theater of costa rica.

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Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

National Museum of Costa Rica

Biesanz beach, park entry, parque manuel antonio, manuel antonio beach, other popular road trips from playa samara, explore nearby places.

• Manuel Antonio
• Playa Matapalo
• Esterillos Este
• Esterillos Oeste
• Santa Maria
• San Gerardo de Dota
• San Isidro del General
• San Isidro del General District
• Santiago de Puriscal
• Playa Hermosa

All related maps of Manuel Antonio

• Map of Manuel Antonio
• Map of Quepos
• Map of Parrita
• Map of Playa Matapalo
• Map of San Carlos
• Map of Sardinal
• Map of Savegre
• Map of Loma
• Map of Bejuco
• Map of Esterillos Este
• Map of Baru
• Map of Copey
• Map of Dominical
• Map of Esterillos Oeste
• Map of Santa Maria
• Map of San Gerardo de Dota
• Map of Carara
• Map of Cartago
• Map of San Isidro del General
• Map of San Isidro del General District
• Map of Aserri
• Map of Santiago de Puriscal
• Map of Playa Hermosa
• Map of Ballena
• Map of Uvita
• Map of Orosi
• Map of Paraiso
• Map of Ujarras
• Map of Cachi
• Map of Camaronal
• Map of Tarcoles

Manuel Antonio throughout the year

• Manuel Antonio in January
• Manuel Antonio in February
• Manuel Antonio in March
• Manuel Antonio in April
• Manuel Antonio in May
• Manuel Antonio in June
• Manuel Antonio in July
• Manuel Antonio in August
• Manuel Antonio in September
• Manuel Antonio in October
• Manuel Antonio in November
• Manuel Antonio in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Manuel Antonio?

Get inspired for your trip to Manuel Antonio with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Manuel Antonio Itinerary
• 2-Day Manuel Antonio Itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i drive from playa samara to manuel antonio.

Yes! You can drive from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio.

How far is Manuel Antonio from Playa Samara by car?

The drive from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio is 177 miles (284 km).

How long does it take to drive from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio?

Driving from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio should take you 5 hrs 55 mins in normal traffic.

How much would gas cost from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio?

Gas from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio would cost around $15 to $36 , depending on your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Where should I stop on the way from Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio?

You could check out Palo Verde Boat Tours and Samara Beach, or the always popular Guiones Beach!

What are the best cities to visit between Playa Samara and Manuel Antonio?

People love visiting Arenal Volcano National Park, San Jose, and La Fortuna de San Carlos, among others.

What's the weather like in Playa Samara?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Playa Samara in January
• Weather in Playa Samara in February
• Weather in Playa Samara in March
• Weather in Playa Samara in April
• Weather in Playa Samara in May
• Weather in Playa Samara in June
• Weather in Playa Samara in July
• Weather in Playa Samara in August
• Weather in Playa Samara in September
• Weather in Playa Samara in October
• Weather in Playa Samara in November
• Weather in Playa Samara in December

What are some other road trips from Playa Samara?

There are plenty! Below you'll find links to all the road trips we've assembled for Playa Samara.

• Playa Samara to Arenal Volcano National Park drive
• Playa Samara to Panama City drive
• Playa Samara to San Jose drive
• Playa Samara to Mexico City drive
• Playa Samara to Playa del Carmen drive
• Playa Samara to Manuel Antonio drive
• Playa Samara to Cancun drive
• Playa Samara to Tulum drive
• Playa Samara to La Fortuna de San Carlos drive
• Playa Samara to Granada drive
• Playa Samara to Chichen Itza drive
• Playa Samara to Antigua drive
• Playa Samara to Rincon de La Vieja drive
• Playa Samara to Jaco drive
• Playa Samara to Playa Conchal drive
• Playa Samara to Leon drive
• Playa Samara to Oaxaca drive
• Playa Samara to Tortuguero drive
• Playa Samara to Cahuita drive
• Playa Samara to Merida drive
• Playa Samara to Puebla drive
• Playa Samara to Palenque drive
• Playa Samara to Guanajuato drive
• Playa Samara to Uvita drive
• Playa Samara to San Salvador drive
• Playa Samara to Coba drive
• Playa Samara to San Miguel de Allende drive
• Playa Samara to Poas Volcano National Park drive
• Playa Samara to Huatulco drive
• Playa Samara to Copan Ruinas drive

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places