Samara is a quaint town located on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. It’s mostly known for its pristine beaches, lush tropical scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Recently, it has been attracting a number of travellers, especially backpackers, since the town provides the perfect opportunity to discover the natural splendour of Costa Rica. Today, we want to show you what makes Samara stand out, and as usual, we are offering our top choices for the best hostels in Samara, which we carefully chose to ensure the journey of a lifetime!
One of the main attractions of Samara is its beaches enriched with turquoise waters and white sands. Playa Samara and Playa Carillo are two of the most popular ones where you can bask in some rays and enjoy the gentle waves of the water. In addition, they also provide excellent surfing conditions for both beginners and experienced surfers. If any of you are looking into trying it out for the first time, Playa Samara is a superb place to start since the waves are gentle and pretty easy to ride. Finally, the beaches are filled with a variety of exotic marine life, making them popular spots for snorkelling and fishing.
Our favorite hostels in Samara are:
- Hostel Matilori - best for Solo Travelers
- Hostel Samara - best for Couples
- Las Mariposas - best for Backpackers
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
Nature enthusiasts will find Samara extremely attractive due to the abundance of outdoor activities. Travellers can take a boat tour to go dolphin and whale watching or hike through the nearby national parks to firsthand experience the diverse wildlife of Costa Rica. For instance, you can head down to the Marino Las Baulas National Park, located in the town’s vicinity, where you can see amazing leatherback sea turtles!
Another great thing about Samara is its laid-back vibe and the friendly local community. The town offers serenity like no other, making it a perfect spot to relax and escape the bustle of the city. Locals are known for their welcoming personality, which is greatly reflected in the best hostels in Samara – you’ll feel at home instantly!
Read: full guide to the absolute best hostels in Costa Rica – which is your favourite hostel in Costa Rica?
1. Hostel Matilori
2. Hostel Samara
3. Las Mariposas
In addition to the natural beauty, Samara also offers a charming downtown area. Calle Central, the town’s main street, features a variety of shops, restaurants and bars where you can truly take in the local culture. You may want to check out some souvenir shops as well since Costa Rican handmade crafts and artwork are known to include intricate detailing. The restaurants in the area serve plenty of traditional dishes, where excellent hospitality is always guaranteed! Furthermore, the downtown area is home to several hostels and guesthouses, providing travellers with various accommodation options, some of which are included in our list of the best hostels in Samara.
The hostels are usually family-owned and provide visitors with a personal and authentic experience. However, you should know that most of them are not the most up-to-date and definitely require certain upgrades, so don’t expect any special amenities or services. But don’t let that worry you – our chosen hostels have been carefully selected in order to provide the best experience while visiting!
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Samara
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Samara cost 13$ – 20$ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around 42$ – 96$ per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Backpacking Tips For Samara: By following our tips, you will be able to make the most out of your trip to Samara, Costa Rica. Here are a few of them:
- Keep in mind that Samara is a highly sustainable town and its locals are very eco-friendly. This means that you should be respectful of the environment and the culture, and you should always be aware of the impact that you have on the town’s surroundings.
- You may want to keep cash on hand at all times since some places don’t accept credit card payments. You’ll find a number of ATMs around the downtown area, or just ask your hostel’s staff for the nearest one.
- A quick web search of the tide schedule will definitely come in handy, especially if you’re planning to surf. Normally, the tide can affect beach activities like swimming, boating, snorkelling and even walking, so the search will greatly benefit you in planning your activities.
- If you want to see sea turtles in their national habitat, you should visit the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Ostional. What makes this place special is that thousands of turtles swim down to lay their eggs on the beach – the sight will stay with you for a lifetime!
- Visit the El Chico waterfall, located just 15 minutes from Samara, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim and cool off from the heat. Additionally, a hike to Cerro Inferno will provide stellar views of the town and the beach. Keep in mind that the trail is a bit challenging, and it’s not recommended for beginners. However, the view is absolutely worth it!
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Samara are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Samara.
- Hostel Matilori – best for Solo Travelers
- Hostel Samara – best for Couples
- Las Mariposas – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Samara. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Hostel Matilori
2. Hostel Samara
3. Las Mariposas
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Hostel Matilori |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Las Mariposas |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Hostel Samara |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Hostel Samara |
| 🏝 For Beach Lovers: | Hostel Matilori |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Las Mariposas |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Hostel Matilori |
Whether you’re looking for a social hostel with a lively atmosphere or a more laid-back option with a quieter environment, there is something for everyone in Samara! Here are our choices of the best hostels in Samara.
1. Hostel Matilori
Hostel Matilori is located on a quiet street in downtown Samara, just a few steps away from the beach. It is enriched with lush greenery, providing the perfect opportunity to experience the rich wildlife of Samara – iguanas and monkeys won’t be an uncommon sight! Additionally, Matilori is quite small, so you’re bound to run into all of its very sociable guests, making it the perfect accommodation for all solo travellers!
Due to its petite size, the hostel features 3 double rooms, 1 four-bed rooms and two dorms, all of which share a bathroom. As we’ve previously mentioned, hostels in Samara are in need of upgrades, however, this one is pretty well-equipped! There are two shared kitchens that include a variety of appliances and are stocked with ingredients as well. Digital nomads will also enjoy Matilori as it has high-speed internet and a tranquil work environment. Finally, you can ask the helpful volunteers for tours that explore all of the spots that make Samara truly special!
Location: Hostel Matilori is located in the centre Sámara. Sámara Beach is just 3 minutes’ walk, and Sámara Bus Station is 200 m away.
The best choice in Samara for
- Solo Traveler
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Hostel Samara
Nestled within a few steps from the water, Hostel Samara is an excellent spot to put your mind at ease and enjoy a truly relaxing time. It has a welcoming vibe, thanks to the incredibly helpful staff that are ready to cater to your every need. Generally, Hostel Samara isn’t really social, so if you’re looking for a quiet vacation, this accommodation would be a great choice, especially for couples. However, keep in mind that the hostel typically gets crowded during Samara’s “gold season”, which lasts from the end of December until the beginning of January, and during Easter as well.
Hostel Samara features multiple room options, from 8-bed dorms to private rooms. The latter includes air conditioning and a private bathroom, in contrast to the dorms that only have a fan. The accommodation was recently renovated, so the well-equipped kitchen is quite useful. Although the cleanliness at the hostel is exceptional, you may encounter ants in the common rooms. However, that is expected since most of them are located outside. Furthermore, in addition to the convenient location next to the beach, you can relax at the many hammocks scattered throughout the hostel. There’s even a restaurant downstairs where you could enjoy a quiet traditional meal.
Location: This hostel s set in Sámara and Samara Beach is reachable within 200 metres. Buena Vista Beach is 2.8 km from the hostel, while Barra Honda National Park is 49 km away.
A great choice for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Las Mariposas
Las Mariposas has a superb location, literally seconds away from the beach! Additionally, the hostel is known for its lively ambience and laid-back feel, where sociability is key! Due to its convenient position, Las Mariposas is the ultimate choice for backpackers, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet many like-minded travellers as well.
The hostel features basically furnished dorms and private rooms, all of which are equipped with fans and personal lockers. However, the beds do not provide satisfactory comfort, meaning that their mattresses need to be upgraded. On the other hand, previous travellers have noted that some of the dorms that fit 10 people can get pretty stuffy during the night since one fan is not enough for that many people. Moreover, the cleanliness at Las Mariposas needs an improvement, as some of the shared facilities, like the bathrooms, tend to get pretty grimy. However, the staff at this hostel is exceptional and will help you with all your needs – make sure to ask them about the sunset spot! With that said, if you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation where you won’t spend a lot of time, this can be a great choice.
Location: This hostel is located 500 m from Samara Beach, and around 2.7 km from Buena Vista Beach.
This is one of the best hostels in Samara for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Samara for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Samara is Hostel Matilori. You can read more about it here.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
What about the cheapest hostels in Samara?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Samara.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Samara
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
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How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Samara best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Samara?
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Our Favorite Hostels in Samara put on a map + sights
We’re listing all the three best Samara hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
Any questions about hostels in Samara?
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Flights to Samara?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
If you’re planning on traveling around in Costa Rica, here are some of our guides that should come in handy:
- best hostels in Costa Rica
- Best Hostels in San José
- best hostels in Uvita
- best hostels in Tamarindo
- best hostels in Quepos
- best Hostels in La Fortuna
- best hostels in Manuel Antonio
- best hostels in Tortuguero
- best hostels in Monteverde
- best hostels in Jaco
- best hostels in Bahía Drake
- best hostels in Playa Grande
- best hostels in Santa Teresa
- best hostels in Puerto Viejo
- Coolest Surf Hostels in Costa Rica
- 8 Best Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica
And other places:
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Samara guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
