Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ostional village is about 8km northwest of Nosara village. During the dry months there is
one daily bus from Santa Cruz (two hours), departing Ostional at 5am and returning from
Santa Cruz at 12:30pm. Times change, so be sure to confirm. In any case, at any time of
the year the road can get washed out by rain. Hitchhiking from Nosara is reportedly easy.
If you're driving, plan on taking a 4WD as a few rivers need to be crossed on the way to
Ostional. Ask locally about conditions before setting out. From the main road joining
Nosara beach and village, head north and cross the bridge over the Río Nosara. There's a
T-junction 2km after the bridge. Take the left fork (which is signed) and continue on the
main road north to Ostional, about 6km away.
Beyond Ostional, the dirt road continues on to Marbella before arriving in Paraíso,
northeast of Junquillal. Be careful and ask before attempting this drive, and use a 4WD.
Playa Sámara
Is Sámara the black hole of happiness? That's what more than one expat has said after
stopping here on vacation and never leaving. And perhaps it is more than the sum of its
parts? Because on the surface it's just an easy-to-navigate beach town with barefoot, three-
star appeal and a crescent-shaped strip of pale-gray sand spanning two rocky headlands,
where the sea is calm and beautiful. Not spectacular, just safe, mellow, reasonably deve-
loped, easily navigable on foot and accessible by public transportation. Not surprisingly,
you'll find it's popular with vacationing Tico and foreign families and backpackers, who
enjoy Sámara's palpable ease and tranquillity. But be careful, the longer you stay the less
you'll want to leave.
If you've got some extra time and a 4WD, explore the hidden beaches north of Sámara,
such as Playa Barrigona, equally famous for its pristine beach as for its celebrity resident,
Mel Gibson.
Activities
Experienced surfers will probably be bored with Sámara's inconsistent waves, though be-
ginners will have a blast.
Pato Surf School
SURFING
(
8761-4738;
www.patossurfingsafari.com
; board rental per day US$15, lessons US$25-35)
