Bahia Beachfront Hotel Restaurant

We spent a week here as a family of four and had an amazing vacation in Samara. It’s a small family run hotel and restaurant, and the staff made us feel like part of the family. The place is a little rustic but very clean, and everyone was friendly and ready to help with whatever we needed. We’ll be back!

The restaurant had amazing food, though it took us three days to work out happy hour. It’s 2 for 1 on the same cocktail, not on beer or wine, in case that helps the next estupido gringo. No big deal. We got lucky with our booking and had the biggest suite, with a kitchen and a large terrace, which was perfect for the two of us. The second bedroom had a big bed but was so tight there was no room to stand at either side, so we used it for our suitcases. Great beachfront hotel, about a 10 minute walk along the beach to town.

We found this place while driving from Tamarindo to Samara, and it turned out to be a gem. Tamarindo felt much too crowded and busy for us, while the beachfront setting here was just right. The hotel isn’t fancy, but it’s very nice, clean, and well equipped: air conditioning, a dehumidifier, a fan, a tiled walk-in shower, and hot water. No pool or gym, but the ocean is right outside, and a walk in the sand is its own workout. There are beach chairs, a restaurant with delicious food, and a bar. Local beer was about $5 and a great sandwich was $13, the same prices as in town. Costa Rica overall isn’t the bargain it was 8 years ago. The road to the hotel looks overgrown, rough, and muddy, next to an abandoned hotel, but it’s not as bad to drive down as it looks. Dogs roam freely around Samara and live their best beach life. If that bothers you, the area may not suit you. Bahia is no exception, and we loved it. The room and staff were great, and we had sunsets, sunrises, and long beach walks. For the price, it’s hard to beat. Tell Alonso we said hello.

We’ve often gone with friends for an aperitif, and everyone there knows us. This time I went to pay by card, but there was no internet. I asked the woman working there how we could sort it out. She said they only took cash, told me to go find some, and walked away. When I came back and explained we had no cash, she argued that people in Costa Rica should always carry cash in case the power goes out, the internet is slow, or something happens in the street. She said I had to go home for money and left again. I returned to the table annoyed but tried to stay calm, asking what else we could do. She said she knew us and could put it on account if I left some ID. I offered a photocopy because I couldn’t leave the original, but she said the copy was useless and the document wouldn’t get lost there, then walked off again. I asked if I could use Sinpe Móvil. She said she didn’t have the number, even if she had one, and left yet again. Then I went to the two waiters at the register and asked how to pay without internet. They immediately apologized and said I could have paid with Sinpe Móvil. I paid and left because I couldn’t face seeing the woman again. Her service was absolutely terrible. She argued as if the problem were ours and didn’t even know what payment options the restaurant offered. The boys were very kind. Management should be careful when choosing staff. If that woman is there again, we won’t return.