The trip to Samara started out well as we were surprised to find it actually took LESS time than originally planned – a first for the roads in Costa Rica. The beach town was very small and quaint again like Montezuma – a single road, perhaps a ½ mile, ¾ at best. We found our hotel easily, and were impressed as we walked through our little tree house hut. Below there were two hammocks and a bbq and breakfast area, and above our room was spacious and beautifully…and directly on the beach.

The beach was incredible – soft sand and such a gentle slope it was almost hard to get to where you couldn’t touch. The waves were very gentle, and the water warm. The beach was not too busy at all, as it was still the off season and Samara is just starting to boom. Our first day was just spent relaxing on the beach – and finding our favorite restaurant.

We had heard Gusto’s was good so we went there for dinner – and found it to be surprisingly good Italian food! I mean, better then almost every place back home! After talking to our waitress we found that it was owned and run by Italians. She informed us that where there is a beach, you will find Italians.

The next day giant plates of fresh fruit (watermelon, pineapple, papaya and banana – our typical breakfast for the entire two weeks!) were brought to our outdoor breakfast area under our tree house. We also had pancakes, eggs and toast – and then headed out for our kayak trip. There was a small island off the Samara beach, and we were told it was about a ½ hour trip there and a ½ hour trip back – and the island boasted a nice white sand beach. The trip out was fun and uneventful; we took some photos with our waterproof camera and talked. As we approached the island, we could see very turbulent waves…the island came to a tip right of the coast, and the waves were crashing from all three sides. We had been warned not to go the other way, as it was very rocky. So, we decided to go ahead through the waves. We were just cresting a big wave when a wave from another direction hit us, and it was unavoidable…we flipped. We were right off shore and could actually even touch so we were easily able to grab the boat and drag it onshore.

Sadly….our camera had been sitting on Paolo’s lap. He threw on his scuba gear and went out to look for it, but being high tide and so many waves, it was a lost cause. I gathered some shells and rocks on the beach, and we decided to head back. We found another Italian place for lunch – but got our appetizer after our meal and decided that we would not be going back. We headed back and Paolo went to get a massage on the beach and I went and laid out in the sun. It started clouding over quick and before we knew it, it was pouring! Paolo was able to finish the massage though and I did some puzzles laying in the hammock. The sun peeked back out for a little bit, and we went back to the beach for boogie boarding and sunset. That night Paolo decided to try and climb a palm tree to get a coconut…he ended up with a bandaged hand and no coconut.

The next day was our final day at the beach and in Costa Rica. Paolo rented a surf board and spent the morning attempting to surf, since the waves were a bit bigger than the previous days (though still boring for experienced surfers). The sun was hot and it was near impossible to be out in it and not in the water. After a late lunch we decided to try boogie boarding again. It was absolute fun, though Paolo had to help me actually catch the waves…I couldn’t seem to quite get it on my own. I caught a good big one and was enjoying the ride when something happened and my board flipped…but being that this was the Samara beach when I got myself together and actually stood up, I was only in about waist deep water! We watched the sun set, and decided to go back to Gusto’s for our last dinner. The beach and candle light setting perfect for our last meal, and we knew the food would be good. We took a stroll down the beach after dinner and took some photos (yes, in the pitch black), and then headed back to pack up and head out the next morning. Samara was the perfect, relaxing, warm end to a whirlwind adventure honeymoon.