The Healing Powers of Playa Samara
How a modest little beach town brought me back to life!
It was a few days after Thanksgiving and I was in a funk. I don’t know, there’s just something about spending the holidays alone that really gets to you. Honestly, I was ready to go home. I had been in Costa Rica for two months and was starting to feel really lonely, missing a bed of my own and dreading the next bus ride. But I only had a few weeks left and frankly, I needed to spend some time reconnecting with myself and practicing gratitude.
I was in a town called Playas del Coco located in the Northern Province of Guanacaste and had no idea where I was heading to next. So, like one usually does in moments of uncertainty, I asked my soul to guide me and Samara was calling my name. I had no intentions of visiting the Nicoya Peninsula during my time in Costa Rica, but when your soul tells you to do something, you do it. Off to the bus station I went. 2 bus rides and 4 hours later I arrived to Playa Samara.
Playa Samara is a small, and I mean SMALL, beach town located on the Nicoya Peninsula’s western shore in the province of Guanacaste. The second I stepped out of that bus and into that tiny paradise I was thinking to myself “Funk!? What funk!?” All of my troubles drifted away with the fresh ocean breeze that greeted me. I instantly felt the unpretentious pura vida vibes.
Although Playa Samara is small in size, it is big on character and Tico charm. Its centrally located downtown has everything you need and within walking distance. I was immediately drawn to the abundance of sidewalk artisans selling uniquely crafted jewelry and souvenirs, unlike any I had seen during my travels in Costa Rica. It’s a laid-back modest beach town with Costa Rica authenticity yet an international feel.
I checked into El Cactus Hostel, which of course turned out to be my favorite hostel in Costa Rica. It was quiet, immaculate and surrounded by the most gorgeous gardens. I felt right at home. My intended 3-day trip turned into a week of lounging around, reconnecting with my higher-purpose and turning loneliness into self-love.
I spent my days being cleansed by the clear ocean water as wild-horses roamed by, practicing dynamic yoga at Casa Coba, refueling with green juice at the Mercado Organico, sipping on pipas to cool off and being in bed by 8pm. This town is definitely centered on yoga and a healthy lifestyle and I felt myself being healed physically, emotionally, spiritually and all levels in between.
By the end of the week I was glowing. I couldn’t stop smiling. I hadn’t felt this happy, alive and free in years. I don’t know if it was the daily yoga, the variety of organic vegan goodies, the picturesque palm-lined beaches or probably a mix of it all, but I was back and what was waiting for me next was the cherry on top.
Stay tuned for a post on my favorite town in all of Costa Rica, Nosara!
