 Air Activities:
Canopy Tours
Samara’s canopy tour has been family owned and operated for 13 years, with 12 platforms up to 65 feet high, and 10 cables stretching up to 400 feet long. Truly ecologically friendly, nothing is bolted or nailed to the trees – all platforms are hanging from or strapped to branches. Watermelon, pineapple and organic cookies are served at platform five, which offers a stunning panoramic vista of the beach. Tours usually last from one and a half to three and a half hours, depending on group size.
Read about Samara on our travel blog
Ultra Light Flight
Soar through the air on an impossibly small autogiro, piloted by the most experienced aviators in the country. Flights typically depart from the Carrillo airstrip, and can last up to four hours between fuel-ups. Capable of flying 40-120 miles per hour and up to 5000 feet in altitude, the aircraft can fly from Nicaragua to Panama in a matter of hours. Flights rise above winding rivers, lonely cow pastures, dramatic bays, and lush countryside. Gain an entirely new understanding of the phrase ‘bird’s eye view’ on one of these spectacular trips.
Land Activities:
ATV Adventures
Tackle the hilly pathways surrounding Samara and Carrillo on an unstoppable four-wheeler. Rentals are for full or half day and normally include one tank of gas. Be sure to stick to the back roads, as it is illegal to take these rugged machines on the beach.
 Bird and Wildlife Watching
Large families of howler monkeys like to socialize in the trees by the beach. Squirrels, kinkajous, coatimundis, iguanas, and sometimes elusive jaguarundis can be spotted in and around downtown Samara, along with a wide variety of hummingbirds. Various species of fish, sharks, manta rays, and marine turtles dwell under the sea at Isla Chora, while dolphins and humpback whales often appear in the colder waters offshore. Beautiful sand dollars of all sizes are abundant at nearby Playa Carrillo.
 La Selva Wildlife Refuge in Carrillo helps rehabilitate wounded and abandoned creatures to be released into the wild. Animal lovers can visit with margays, jaguarundis, toucans, crocodiles, skunks, armadillos, coatimundis, and even a baby howler monkey at the rescue center. Sanctuaries such as these rarely receive government funding in Costa Rica, and largely depend on the donations and entrance fees paid by visitors.
Gambling
One of the most beautiful hotels in Carrillo boasts a medium sized casino with a wide range of games and slot machines. Step outside every once in a while for a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean.
 Horseback Riding
Horseback riding along Playa Samara during sunset is one of the most unique experiences the area has to offer. Local ranchers offer a fantastic journey from the north to south end of the beach at affordable rates. Watch the sky illuminate with shades of pink, purple, and orange with one of these gentle horses as your companion.
Learn Spanish
Spanish courses are offered for those interested in honing their foreign language skills, and also for college or university students seeking credits. Just fifty feet from the beach, the classrooms are barely above the high tide line. Family home-stays, in which students live with a Costa Rican family for a short time, are available but optional for total immersion. Scholars should be prepared to muster all self control available not to skip class in favor of hanging out at the beach. 
Massage
Massages are high quality and reasonably priced at Playa Samara. A massage school right on the beach offers training programs that prepare students for U.S. national board certification. Apprentices learn on the job, providing sore and tired vacationers with plenty of therapists eager to practice their trade.
Shopping
The road leading from the bus stop to the beach is lined with small, air conditioned shops selling everything from swimsuits and sunglasses to Costa Rican crafts and jewelry. Next to hotel Giada sits Dragonfly, an art and jewelry store owned by extremely talented local artisan Leonardo Palacios. Across the street from the police station is a large square filled with street vendors and their wares. With the right negotiating skills, colorful T-shirts, souvenirs, accessories and more can be purchased here at bargain prices.
 Yoga
Normally, yoga classes claiming to be given ‘on the beach’ offer an ocean view from far away. In Samara, lessons are truly taught directly on the sand. Classes are sure to leave partakers relaxed and limber – the combination of repetitive, concentrated movements (like crunches) followed by yoga is invigorating. The cost is $10 per 90-minute class.
Water Activities:
Kayaking
Kayak to the tranquil Isla Chora for a magnificent snorkeling opportunity, or simply to enjoy its soft pink sands. Beware of departing in the afternoon, as it oftentimes rains at this time of day. Accessible land disappears at high tide and especially during thunderstorms, so adventurers should leave early in the morning – and alert someone on land of when to expect their return.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Isla Chora is undoubtedly the best snorkeling spot in the Samara area. It is about a mile offshore and can be reached by kayak or by boat, although some locals boast to have swum there in the past. Fish, rays, marine turtles, and sometimes sharks can be found swimming among the live coral surrounding this tranquil island.
Sport Fishing
Visitors can fish both inshore and offshore with knowledgeable captains familiar with the best spots for big game fish. Common catches include mahi mahi, marlin, giant tuna, sailfish, yellow fin tuna, black fin tuna, grouper, snapper, rooster fish, and snook. Both half and full-day excursions are available. Learn more about Sport Fishing in Costa Rica.
 Surfing
Waves at Playa Samara are wonderfully suited to beginners, but may not challenge the advanced. The majority of experienced enthusiasts visit nearby Playa Camaronal for more dependable breaks, leaving Samara to those who are just picking up the sport. Three similarly priced surf schools are located at the northern end of Playa Samara.
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