Samara in April: Weather, Sea, Holy Week and What to Do

In April, Samara wakes to the sound of surf schools carrying boards down to the sand and horses clopping along the beach road before the heat builds. When Holy Week falls in April, families arrive for the break and the bay fills with kids splashing in the shallows. It is a hot, bright month on the Nicoya Peninsula, with a first taste of the green season, and a good one for beach days, gentle surf lessons and slow evenings.

The calm bay at Samara in the dry season · Illustration

What is the weather like in Samara in April?

April in Samara is hot and humid, with sunny stretches broken by a fair number of showery days as the season gives way to short showers and a wetter spell. April in Samara feels like a warm, sticky handoff between March and May.

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days	Sea (°F)
March	91.5	76.7	2.7	86.9
April	89.4	77.2	10.9	87.0
May	85.5	76.7	24.4	88.0

For a beach day, the early hours typically work best, when sunlight stays crisp, the sand has not turned blazing and the warmth in the air feels light rather than thick. By midday it is hot enough that most people retreat to shade, a hammock or the water. Plan walks, surf lessons and horseback rides for the early hours.

Rain is no longer a rarity. Roughly one day in three brings some, and a downpour of an inch or more is still unusual. Expect clouds building over the hills of the peninsula and showers that can fall at various points of the day, with sunshine between them. Some days stay entirely dry, others turn gray and wet, so keep the plan flexible.

Evenings stay warm enough for a T-shirt and sandals at a beachfront table, and nights are muggy, so a fan or air conditioning matters. Days are about twelve hours long, with the sun setting over the Pacific in the early evening, a good moment to be on the sand.

Can you swim in Samara in April?

Sure, you can take a long swim in that sea, since most guests find it as warm as bathwater, and a wetsuit is not necessary.

Samara sits on a wide curved bay, and a reef and an island offshore take the edge off the swell, so the water by the town is usually gentle and shallow. Families and people trying surfing for the first time are drawn to it for that reason, and it is also what makes this spot good for kayaking and paddleboarding. Conditions still change with tides and swell, and they are not a promise on any given day.

In Costa Rica, rip currents pose a lethal threat that claims the lives of multiple American visitors annually, and along the majority of beaches there are neither lifeguards nor any caution about hazardous conditions. Ask your hotel or a surf school how the water looks that day, follow any flags you see and keep children within arm’s reach. Bring sunscreen, a rash guard and water shoes for the rocky patches, and a mask if you want to look around near the reef.

What to do in Samara in April

The calendar sets the tone. Holy Week (Semana Santa) moves every year, and when it falls in April, Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, most businesses close and Costa Rican families fill the beaches.

Samara turns festive in a relaxed way: picnics under the almond trees, music drifting from beach bars and kids playing in the surf until dusk. April 11 is Juan Santamaria Day, another national holiday, which can add to the beach crowds around it.

Food follows the beach. Look for whole fried fish with patacones (twice-fried plantain), ceviche served with crackers, and casados, the plate of rice, beans, salad and a choice of fish or chicken that locals eat at lunch. Fresh coconut water and fruit smoothies are the answer to the heat, and a cold Imperial beer suits the evenings.

Learning to surf on the bay

Samara is one of the friendliest places in the country to take a first lesson. The waves roll in gently over a sandy bottom, and instructors work in small groups right in front of town. A lesson is a good way to spend the cooler early morning.

Surfers with more experience can head to nearby beaches when the swell is up. The surf schools know the daily conditions, so ask them where the waves are best and which stretches to avoid. Between sets you will see pelicans gliding low over the bay, and the line of palms along the sand gives welcome shade for breaks.

Kayaking, horses and Playa Carrillo

Kayaking over the sheltered water toward the island offshore is a quiet way to see the bay from the sea, best early in the morning when the surface is smooth. Horseback rides along the sand and into the hills behind town are another favorite, and again the morning hours are kinder to both riders and horses.

Playa Carrillo, a day trip from town, is a long, palm-fringed beach that feels more open and less busy than Samara itself. Bring your own shade and water, treat the sea there with the same care about currents and the lack of lifeguards, and plan to return before the afternoon clouds if you prefer dry roads.

Evenings in town

Samara after sunset is easy and informal. Restaurants set tables on the sand or along the main street, bars play live music, and families stroll after dinner. Small shops sell hammocks, sarongs and handmade jewelry, and ice cream stands do steady business in the warm night air.

With rain more likely in April than in the dry months, a few indoor options help: a long lunch under a roof, a yoga class, a cooking session or a massage. Showers often clear and leave the air fresher for an evening walk.

A two-day itinerary for Samara in April

Day 1 begins early, with a surf lesson or a paddle on the bay while the water is smooth and the heat is mild. Come back for a big breakfast of gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs and fruit, then spend the late morning in the sea or in the shade. Lunch is a simple beachfront casado or fried fish.

When the afternoon heat peaks, rest in your room or a hammock, and keep the rest of the day flexible in case of showers. Around sunset, walk the sand toward the western end of the bay, then settle at an open-air restaurant for ceviche and a cold drink. The sun goes down early in the evening, so the light is golden before dinner.

Day 2 is for the countryside and the next beach. Start with a horseback ride along the shore or up into the hills, then drive to Playa Carrillo for a long walk and a swim, keeping a close eye on the sea. Eat lunch at a small place near the sand and be back in town by mid-afternoon.

If the weather turns, switch to a cooking class, a yoga session or a long lunch in town and browse the craft shops between showers. Finish with a slow dinner and one more stroll once the rain moves off.

Is Samara busy in April?

It can be, especially around Holy Week, when Costa Rican families take over the beaches and the town fills with picnics, music and traffic. Outside that week the pace is calmer, with surfers, couples and international visitors enjoying the last of the dry-season weather.

Rooms, rental cars and restaurant tables are tightest around Holy Week and the national holidays, so book early for those dates. Outside Holy Week, the town is generally calmer.

On the Holy Thursday and Good Friday holidays, most businesses close, so groceries, tour offices and some restaurants may be shut. Stock up the day before and treat those days as beach days. After the holiday week, the town settles back into a relaxed rhythm.

What to pack for Samara in April

Think light, quick-drying and ready for sun and the occasional shower.

Pack a hat and sunscreen, since the sunshine gets intense starting mid-morning.
A rash guard, for surf lessons and long days in the water.
Bring footwear for the water, since some spots are stony and the sand can be scorching.
A light rain jacket, since showers come through on many days.
Breathable clothes and sandals, for warm, humid evenings.
A dry bag, to protect phones and cameras on the beach.

Good to know before you go

The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, ‘Exercise increased caution,’ due to crime; it says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime also affects tourists, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.

Showers are a regular part of the month, so keep plans flexible. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays when most businesses close, and April 11 is Juan Santamaria Day, also a national holiday. Book rooms first if your trip overlaps Holy Week, and keep cash and snacks on hand for the closed days.

Samara in April vs March and May

Moving a month earlier brings a drier, sunnier Samara, with hotter days and only a few rainy ones. The sea is about the same warmth, and beach days are easier to plan. Move a month later and the green season takes hold, with rain on most days, cooler air, a slightly warmer sea and a lusher landscape.

April sits between the two: still plenty of sunshine, with showers that remind you the season is turning. Crowds tend to peak around Holy Week, so March can feel more settled for those who want an easy, dry beach week, while May is quieter and greener.

Choose March if dry, hot days matter most. Choose April if you want warm sea, a good chance of sun and the festive Holy Week mood. Choose May for green hills, fewer visitors and a flexible attitude toward rain.

Is April a good time to visit Samara?

Absolutely, it suits beach lovers, families, and people trying surfing for the first time who do not mind a shower or two. The water is warm, mornings are bright, and the bay is often gentle, but swimmers should check the conditions that day.

Those who want guaranteed dry days or a quiet town during Holy Week may prefer another month. Anyone who dislikes humidity may also find the nights sticky.

On arrival, walk down to the bay, look at how the water is behaving and ask a surf school about the day’s conditions before you swim. April in Samara is warm sea, families on the sand at Holy Week and the first clouds of the green season over the palms.

Sources

Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 9.8814N 85.5262W, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 8, 2026
sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Safety and security (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, issued April 1, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html), read via the State Department open data API on October 8, 2026