Experience the best of Sámara

Sámara sits on a wide, curved bay on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, in Guanacaste province. A coral reef and the small island of Chora shelter the beach, so the water inside is calm and shallow, good for swimming and for learning to surf. Palm trees line the sand, and the streets behind hold small hotels, cafés, and surf and yoga schools.

A short drive south-east, Playa Carrillo curves under coconut palms, and more coves with golden sand lie along the coast. Inland, Barra Honda National Park has limestone caves, and Nicoya is an old town with a colonial church. Farther north, at Ostional, olive ridley turtles come ashore in large numbers to nest, and the dry forest of the peninsula shelters howler monkeys and many birds.

Guanacaste's cooking is built on corn: tortillas, tamales and sweet corn cakes, with rice and beans and fresh fish or ceviche from the bay. The dry season from December to April is sunny, and the green season from May to November brings afternoon showers. The province is also cattle country, with a cowboy tradition and marimba music.