A quick and complete guide for getting to and enjoying Playa Buena Vista, a great beach close to the popular coastal town Samara.
There are incredible beaches all along the Nicoya Peninsula coastline in Costa Rica and one of these is Playa Buena Vista (Great Views Beach).
The beach is a long and wide crescent-shaped strip of dark sand with rugged cliffs at either end.
What I love about Playa Buena Vista is how beautiful and peaceful it is, but also how close it is to Samara, a popular coastal town a short walk away and a great base for exploring this part of Guanacaste Province.
Read on for a quick yet comprehensive guide to visiting Playa Buena Vista near Samara.
Where is Playa Buena Vista?
Playa Buena Vista sits pretty much in the middle of the Pacific coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula, which is in the north of Costa Rica.
The nearest well-known destination is Samara, a small but bustling beach town roughly 3 km away, or 40 min walking.
Further up the coast, around a 2-h drive away, is Tamarindo, one of, if not the most touristy beach towns in the entire country.
San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, is roughly a 4-h drive inland to the east.
How to get to Playa Buena Vista
The most convenient way to visit Playa Buena Vista is to base yourself in Samara and either walk (40 min), bike (20 min) or drive (10 min). While there are hotels much closer to the beach, Samara is the ideal base as it’s a developed town with plenty of amenities.
The route to Playa Buena Vista from Samara is straightforward. Leave Samara on the main road out of town heading west.
You’ll shortly come to a fork in the road at Samara Palm Lodge. Bear left and continue until you come to the Samara-Nicoya bus stop, which sits on another junction.
At this junction go right and continue along the road staying left when you come to the fork at Casa Cantarrana. Now head straight along the road following it all the way to Playa Buena Vista without turning off anywhere.
The road brings you to a parking area just before the beach with space for several vehicles.
At low tide you can walk from Playa Samara to Playa Buena Vista along the coast, which is a much more scenic route than the road.
After Playa samara, you’ll walk along the quaint Playa Poza de Chico (Boy’s Pool Beach), Playa Izquierda (Left Beach) and the rocky Playa Rosada (Pink Beach).
Playa Rosada is separated from Playa Buena Vista by a cliff and you’ll need to cross its rocky base – so take care here.
Unfortunately, there are no buses between Samara and Playa Buena Vista, but it’s a nice walk or bike ride.
The river at Playa Buena Vista
The Rio Buena Vista (Good Views River) snakes down the beach into the ocean separating the parking area from the beach. Although you can wade through the river to reach the beach, you should stay out of it as it’s home to crocodiles.
Instead, follow the narrow strip of sand that mirrors the river until you come to the cliff. Here you can walk across a shallow point of the river.
Things to do at Playa Buena Vista
Swimming and surfing are the main activities at Playa Buena Vista. However, there are riptides here so you shouldn’t swim beyond your depth and you need to be a strong surfer.
The waves at Playa Buena Vista can be big and powerful so you might struggle if you’re a beginner. Playa Samara is a better spot for beginner surfers with good, gentle waves at high tide.
At the opposite end of Playa Buena Vista are stone tables and benches below the shade of trees. This is called Punta Buena Vista and is a great spot to eat a picnic.
You can also drive to Punta Buena Vista from Samara which takes around 40 min. But if you’re coming from Samara I don’t recommend this as the walk across the length of the beach is nice.
What to bring to Playa Buena Vista
You don’t need to bring much to enjoy Playa Buena Vista. Just make sure to pack your swimming gear as well as plenty of water and sunscreen. There is little tree coverage along the beach and you could get dehydrated here easily.
I’d also prepare a lunch to have at the beach. Not only is it a really nice place to picnic, but the nearest restaurants and shops are around 1 km away.
Where to stay at Playa Buena Vista
For a quieter spot than Samara, you could book 1 of the hotels close to Playa Buena Vista, which are generally high end. If you want something more budget friendly, then you’ll have to stay in Samara.
My accommodation recommendations are based on a combination of location, price and consistently high ratings across major booking platforms.
Hotel Casa Buenavista: from $90 US/night
This adult-only hotel is probably one of the nicest hotels in the Samara area and has the highest of ratings. Guests can stay in a double room within the main house or rent the bungalow which is equipped with a kitchen. The location is excellent, just a 10-min walk from the beach and there are small shops and restaurants 5 min away. The hotel has an open-air pool and breakfast is an optional add on. Rooms start at $90 US a night.
Cabañas Lamaite: minimum 2-night stay from $260 US
Cabañas Lamaite is a luxurious yet rustic looking property with a wooden interior finish. The hotel is just a 15-min walk from Playa Buena Vista, around the corner from Casa Buenavista. Guests can either stay in the loft or the apartment and both are equipped with a kitchen. The property has an open-air pool with plenty of loungers to relax on. Prices start at $260 US for a minimum 2-night stay.
Spirit of the Jungle Lodge: from $90 US/night
This beautiful property is nestled among palm trees a 10-min walk from Punta Buena Vista. The hotel has a large open-air pool and plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the nature. Guests have access to free WIFI and the rentable apartment has its own kitchen. There is an on-site restaurant too. Double rooms start at $90 US a night while the apartment starts at $100 per night.
Book Spirit of the Jungle Lodge.
Don’t miss Playa Buena Vista near Samara
If you’re heading to Samara, then be sure to add Playa Buena Vista to your to-do list. This is one of the best beaches in the area and, at just a 30-min walk away, it’s a quick escape from the crowds.
See my complete guide to Samara for more recommendations and also my guide on the best time to visit Guanacaste to time your trip right.
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