Easy Beach Living for $2,000 a Month in Sámara, Costa Rica

Easy Beach Living for $2,000 a Month in Sámara, Costa Rica
The beach shapes daily life. The bay’s gentle waters make swimming easy, and pools form naturally during low tide.

During my recent visit to Sámara, I often heard retirees say, “We’re busier than ever, and we love how Sámara has everything we need.”

That busyness comes from a full social calendar, including Bingo days, birthday celebrations, sunset cocktails, live music, and potlucks—a shift from the pace of typical North American life.

Sámara is a lower-profile destination with a laidback, tight-knit feel filled with daily activities that foster connection. 

Located within Costa Rica’s Nicoya Blue Zone, it offers beach living in a region where people generally live long, active lives.

Most visitors fly into Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, about two hours from Sámara. From the Costa Rican capital, San José, you can take a flight to Nosara, which is much faster than the four- to eight-hour drive, depending on traffic. Local buses and shuttles are reliable options as well.

Walkability

Something that struck me when I was there was how walkable Sámara is. Being able to walk everywhere makes beach life feel easy and fun. There is something luxurious about slipping on flip-flops and heading to the ocean. That kind of walkability makes daily life practical—many residents don’t need a car. 

Everything becomes easier on foot. Not dealing with traffic or parking, especially in high season, adds to the appeal, and walking naturally brings more movement into daily life.

Some retirees get around on a quad, others ride a bike, and many rent a car when they need to go farther. For more restaurants, services, and a larger yoga/surf culture, Nosara is about a 45-minute drive away.

If you were thinking of renting, Sámara has plenty of options. For those on a budget: a small, no-frills place about a 15-minute walk from the beach, without air conditioning, will only set you back about $600 a month.

If you were thinking of buying, this three-bed, two-bath home called Casa Colores is currently listed at $299,000. The best bit? Sunset drinks at Las Olas Beach Bar are less than a 10-minute walk away.

Debbie Davis, who has owned a condo in Sámara for the past 15 years and obtained her pensionado residency status in 2022, came to Costa Rica with patience and a willingness to adapt. She describes feeling like a teenager—her days are filled with fun and friends.

“My days start on the balcony with coffee and an ocean view. If I need to run errands, like grocery shopping, I do them by 10 a.m., before the heat sets in. I prioritize homemade meals, exercise in the pool around 11, and do a bit of work in the afternoon with a local law firm, helping other expats through my own experience. At sunset, we return to the balcony—it’s a routine we love.”

Another retiree, Deborah Perricone, appreciates the lower stress levels she feels in Costa Rica. “Life just isn't as complicated down here; I feel very safe in my home, surrounded by tropical jungle.”

Playa Carrillo is one of the most picturesque beaches in Costa Rica. 
Playa Carrillo is one of the most picturesque beaches in Costa Rica. |©iStock/OGphoto

Families Relocating to the Beach

Families come to the beach in search of a new life, spending more time together, prioritizing community connection, and living outside in nature. Another draw is the growing number of schools and extracurricular activities, including Mareas Academy, La Petite, and Sámara Pacific School.

Just 10 minutes south, Playa Carrillo is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. There’s a long stretch of pale sand lined with towering palms, hardly any development directly on the beach, and crystal-clear water. A local reminded me to be aware of what was overhead—falling coconuts are a possibility. Weekdays feel almost empty here; on weekends, local families fill the beach with coolers and hammocks.

What About Healthcare?

To be honest, I thought Sámara was too remote, especially for retirees, with limited healthcare and services. Yet after chatting with people who now call this beach their home, at least for a good chunk of the year, I realized Sámara draws those who want to simplify life and spend time outside among community.

Liberia has a public hospital and private clinics, such as Hospital Metropolitano and Hospital San Rafael Arcángel. Nicoya is under 40 minutes away, providing major services, banks, hospitals, and shopping. 

Most residents have the numbers of two local private doctors saved in their phones; one even runs a small emergency clinic with a few hospital beds. A chiropractor from Nosara visits monthly, an acupuncturist works near the gas station, and three dentists serve the area—one sharing office space with an orthodontist from San José who comes monthly for braces. For more complex care, many head to the Central Valley.

Cost of Living

Sámara is generally more affordable than places like Nosara and Tamarindo, with restaurant meals averaging around $15. A semi-retired couple who bought a condo in 2010 and spend about six months a year here live on roughly $2,000 a month—less than they spend in Kentucky. Their monthly budget includes $700 for groceries, $600 for entertainment and dining out, $257 in HOA fees, about $50 for nail appointments, and roughly $50 for electricity, since they don’t use air conditioning.

If you are ready to trade stress for sunsets and a fast-paced life for peace, Sámara offers an everyday routine rooted in nature and community, flowing with the ocean’s tides. 

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