Colina del Mar

Colina del Mar offers a special experience overlooking Playa Samara while perched on a hilltop surrounded by jungle animals above the small town’s bustling tourist shops and restaurants. This charming three-star renovated hotel provides a tranquil setting with incredible sunsets, complimentary breakfast, a refreshing pool, tiki bar, and wifi. During the day you can walk or drive approximately one mile down to the beach and explore the town.

Playa Samara, located on the outer edge of Costa Rica’s northwestern Nicoya Peninsula, has retained its village vibe with a number of unpaved roads and paths leading to the beach. An outlying reef breaks the waves along the east end of the crescent shaped, palm shaded shoreline where you can enjoy a gentle swimming experience. Surfers hang out on the less protected west end of the beach amid a variety of beach bars and restaurants closest to town. You can walk to the town and beach area from Colina del Mar in about 20 to 30 minutes or it’s only a five-minute drive. Many who walk opt to enjoy a taxi ride back up the steep hill when returning to the hotel. Because town is close, taxis are not expensive.

If you ever wanted to know how to surf, Samara is a great place to learn. In addition to surf instructors, you’ll find that stand up paddleboards, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing are all quite popular activities here. On land, you might like to go horseback riding along the beach or take an ATV for a spin. Even zipline adventures can be arranged. During certain times of the year, guided night tours along a neighboring beach can take you to look for turtles coming ashore to dig their nests.

From Colina del Mar’s hilltop location, you can see both beautiful sunrises as well as magnificent sunsets especially from the pool area and tiki bar. In the morning, you’ll likely be wakened by the sound of monkeys howling in the trees right off your private patio. Between the tropical birdlife, giant iguanas, and playful monkeys, you’ll discover some of the magic here that makes Costa Rica such a unique place to visit.

You’ll find a variety of rooms to choose from, including some that interconnect for groups traveling together, as well as a fully furnished apartment dwelling. The hotel boasts new comfortable beds plus each room has air conditioning, mini fridge, wifi, and a private balcony. Some rooms have kitchenettes. Whereas Colinas del Mar is not an adults-only hotel, it does have an age limit of 12 years old or older for their hotel guests.