Samara Pacific Lodge

We had a lovely 6 night stay here in February 2024. The rooms are basic but clean and comfortable. We had a family room for 6 of us and it worked really well. The staff were wonderful to deal with, helped us book activities and offered advice. Pool was a little on the cold side which was great after the hot sun. Breakfast, which was included, was really good. We really enjoyed our stay here and loved Samara.

This is a fine resort just outside the busy center of Samara (5 min drive offroad). We had a room directly at the pool which had something special. The room itself was not so big with a bunk bed in the first room, a 2p bed and some closets in the next room and then a separate bath room (with a nice big shower). It was good that the beds were separated but the airco was in the second room and it was therefore not so easy to get the kids room at the same cool temperature. At the back is a small terrace with a table and some chairs. Same is true for the front of the room, at the swimming pool. The swimming pool itself is quite big and the water is warm, while in the water you see the monkeys going through the trees. Breakfast and dinner are in the same restaurant. You have the standard choice for breakfast (typical, pancakes, toast, eggs, fruit, etc.) and it was all well prepared with good coffee. We also had dinner there (although the evening restaurant is separate from the hotel) and we enjoyed it very much. The cocktails were really good. Staff of the hotel and restaurant was very friendly and helpful.

After a few years' absence we were able to coordinate shuttles for a return; in particular a return to the room we enjoy and i'm not saying which one. Some have mentioned the location as a detractor; for us it is why we enjoy Samara Pacific and we don't have a car. Not being on the beach or in town is a blessing in this case, book-ended by beaches but with the added bonus of the diversity that the nearby 'jungle' and pastures offer. If you come to Samara for proximity to nature, then this location does not disappoint. In the property's environs at dusk, we've heard howler monkeys, seen skunks and raccoons etc. Our fave walk to catch the sunset from Buena Vista is always a highlight as the evening symphony builds starting with the cicadas. The last stretch of road is a nature preserve and besides the howlers we've seen armadillos and mot-mots, the dart-flight tailed bird with the strange voice. Speaking of voice, thanks to the merlin app, i finally know that the strange 'electric' calls from the fields at night are from a cousin of the nighthawks that fly above, the Common Parauque, that hunts from the ground. I was able to enjoy the full moon from the pool, we appreciated the personable Kenneth at reception and the hard-working and attentive Ron at breakfast and dinner. He's a gem for the resort (which someone else mentioned is better labeled retreat). One can do a loop from just past the nearby convenience store and neighbouring soda, a pleasant walk past the horse fields along or above the beach, and usually a shallow ford across a stream to Samara's main beach. From there you can return through the town and not have to retrace your steps. The only detractor we had was that a private party of electronic music rages somewhere nearby every 2nd saturday. Nearby, but it feels like the speakers are in your room. It didn't wind down til 4 am in our case and no one could sleep before that. Ridiculous that it needs to be so late and so loud. Hearing that from a new outdoor bar in Tamarindo was the reason we stopped going back to our fave place there. But if you can avoid that night, the rest is bucolic heaven.

Great food, price and service! Definitely recommend! Apparently I need to write 200 words for a review! So blah blah blah ver good blah blah outstanding blah blah very clean blah blah very friendly 198 199 200