Samara, Costa Rica

Driving North from Samara to Nosara:

Driving from Samara to Nosara you have two road options: The year-round driveable road over the hills or the coastal road across the Rio Buenavista.

At any rate you should fill up on gasoline before you continue to the north or south of Samara. If you are headed to Tamarindo the next gas station is only 12 km past Tamarindo on the way to the Liberia airport. Another option is driving inland from Junquillal to the town of Santa Cruz. Driving south the next gas station is in Cobano only. In a pinch you can ask locals for small vendors who sell gasoline from a barrel.
The Samara gas station is 7 km uphill on the way to Nicoya, 500 m past the intersection of the hillside road to Nosara.

Map of Samara to Nosara
Playa Nosara Nosara Costa Rica Nicoya Samara Map

In dry season you can drive the coastal route from Samara via Cangrejal, across the Rio Buenavista:

Monterreyna Playa Buenavista

Playa Buenavista, north of Samara

A few kms after the Rio Buenavista a small road goes down to the valley of Monterreyna, and further on to the wide and deserted beach of Playa Buenavista.

Here two rivers flow into the sea and the lagoon behind the beach provides good birdwatching. Be cautious however as there are crocodiles slumbering in the wetlands.

In rainy season it is impossible to ford the Rio Buenavista. From Samara drive 6 km uphill until you hit the dirt road to your left which leads downhill to Nosara through lush jungle. After 12 kms you reach Barco Quebrado where the road forks: taking the left you get to Playa Buenavista, turning right will bring you to Nosara.

Nosara Playa Garza

Playa Garza, close to Nosara

6 kms before reaching the beaches of Nosara you pass through the small fishermen village of Playa Garza.
An offshore reef protects the crescent bay with its broad, white-sand beach. Here you can have a break under the palm trees and take a refreshing plunge in the sea.

Playa Garza is Nosara's anchor and launching spot for sport fishing and boat trips. Fishing buffs can check for a tour with a local operator in Playa Garza, or just book a tour at your hotel in Nosara. As of now there are no hotels or cabinas in Playa Garza.