In June, afternoon showers drift over the Nicoya Peninsula, and Samara’s bay turns a deeper green behind the palms. Mornings stay bright, fishermen push their boats out early, and the hillsides above town start to fill with new leaves. It is the opening of the green season on this stretch of the Pacific coast, a quieter, softer time for beach days, surf lessons and slow meals by the water.
What is the weather like in Samara in June?
Samara in June is hot and humid, and green, and most days bring rain, but it typically arrives as a shower instead of an all-day gray.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | 85.5 | 76.7 | 24.4 | 88.0 |
| June | 84.2 | 76.1 | 26.8 | 85.9 |
| July | 84.3 | 75.7 | 25.4 | 85.8 |
Mornings are the prize. The sky is often clear and the light is soft, so this is the time for a surf lesson, a long walk on the sand or a coffee on a terrace before the air thickens. Afternoons are when showers usually arrive, sometimes with thunder and heavy bursts that turn the dirt roads to mud and send everyone under a palapa for an hour or so.
Rain falls on most days of the month, so plan on getting wet at some point rather than hoping to dodge it. The showers tend to pass, and the sun often returns before sunset. Evenings stay warm enough for shorts and sandals, and the nights are humid, so a fan or air conditioning in your room is welcome.
Days are long, with about twelve and a half hours of daylight in mid-June. Wear light, quick-drying clothes, carry a thin rain jacket, and keep anything you care about in a dry bag. The sea is as warm as a bath in the shade of the afternoon clouds, which makes a swim after a downpour a pleasure.
Can you swim in Samara in June?
You can indeed take a long swim in water that warm, and for that, Samara’s bay counts among the softer spots along this coast.
A reef and an island offshore shelter the wide, curved bay where the town lies, and because the water is shallow, the waves along the waterfront tend to stay small, letting families wade in with little effort. Children, nervous swimmers and paddleboarders tend to favor this stretch, and the sand is wide enough to spread out. After rain, water can look a little cloudy near river mouths, so snorkelers do better on clear mornings.
Rip currents pose a serious threat along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, where they drown several U.S. tourists every year, but on most beaches there are no lifeguards and nothing posted to warn people about dangerous conditions.
Beaches outside the bay often have bigger surf, which suits experienced surfers more than casual swimmers. If you plan to check out the reef, pack a mask, sunscreen and a rash guard.
What to do in Samara in June
June is the first month of the green season, so the best plans are built around clear mornings and showery afternoons. Start outdoors early, then keep the second half of the day flexible with a long lunch, a hammock or a hot shower and a nap.
The landscape is the reward of the month. Hills that were brown and dusty a few weeks ago turn lush, waterfalls begin to run again in the hills, and the air smells of wet earth and flowering trees. The beach town itself is relaxed, with fewer crowds on the sand and a mellow feel in the evenings.
Morning surf and beach time
Samara’s gentle waves make it a classic place for a first surf lesson, and mornings are when the water is most inviting. Surf schools and board rental stands line the beach, and instructors work with beginners in the shallow, forgiving break in front of town. You can spend a couple of hours in the water here and stay comfortable, since the sea is nice and warm.
Experienced surfers often head to other breaks up and down the coast, where the swell can be bigger. If you do not surf, a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak is another way to see the bay.
Whatever you choose, finish before the afternoon clouds build, since thunder and open water do not mix. Bring a hat and reapply sunscreen, because the cloud cover can hide strong sun.
Rainy afternoons in town
When the showers arrive, Samara’s small center is easy to enjoy from under a roof. Open-air restaurants along the beach road serve fresh fish, ceviche and cold fruit smoothies, and the rain on the roof makes lunch last longer. Local bakeries and cafés sell coffee from Costa Rican highlands, and small shops sell handmade jewelry, hammocks and sundresses.
Many travelers use this time for a yoga class, a massage or a cooking lesson, since the town has a wellness-minded crowd. Then, as the clouds thin out, walk down to the water for the soft golden hour. The sky often puts on a good show after rain, with towering clouds lit in pink and orange over the Pacific.
Food and drink in the green season
At a small family-owned soda, one of those humble neighborhood eateries, order a casado: a simple, satisfying plate of rice, beans and salad plus your pick of fish, chicken or beef. Seafood is a natural fit on the coast, with grilled catch of the day and rich ceviche served with crackers or plantain chips. Tropical fruit is abundant, and fresh juices of mango, pineapple and passion fruit are easy to find.
In the evening, restaurants near the beach light up, and many have tables on the sand or under thatched roofs. Pair a grilled fish with a cold local beer or a fruity cocktail, and linger as the stars come out between clouds. Because the town is small, dinner often turns into a stroll along the beach road afterward.
Day outings suit this weather when they start early. Start early for nearby Playa Carrillo or a guided outing to Isla Chora, then leave the afternoon flexible. Ask your hotel about trips that depart at first light, and leave the afternoon open.
A two-day itinerary for Samara in June
Day 1. Wake early for the clearest light and walk the beach as the fishing boats go out. Have a slow breakfast of fruit and coffee, then take a surf lesson or paddleboard session while the bay is at its gentlest. By late morning, shower and move to a shaded restaurant for a seafood lunch.
When the afternoon showers arrive, stay under cover with a massage, a yoga class or an hour in a café. Once the rain eases, walk the beach road to browse the small shops. Sunset in June comes in the early evening, so be on the sand to watch the sky change, then settle into a table for dinner.
Day 2. Spend the morning on the water, snorkeling the clearer areas near the reef or kayaking to the offshore island. Return by midday for a long lunch at a soda, then rest through the hottest and wettest hours in a hammock.
In the late afternoon, take a stroll to a quieter stretch of beach once the clouds break, or head to a nearby viewpoint for the green hills and the bay. Finish with a relaxed dinner by the sea. If the weather turns heavy all day, a cooking class, spa session or long café afternoon keeps the plan intact.
Is Samara busy in June?
No, June is a quieter month in Samara, since the green season keeps many travelers away and the beach and restaurants feel relaxed.
Expect a calm rhythm in the evenings, with a mix of long-stay visitors, surfers, yoga travelers and families.
As a habit, book early if your dates fall on a holiday week or a weekend you cannot move, and a little later for ordinary weekdays. If you plan a particular tour or a boat trip, ask your hotel about it a few days ahead so a showery morning can be shifted without stress.
The lower crowds are part of the charm. The sand is easy to share, the surf break is less busy, and you can have long, unhurried conversations with the people running your hotel and café.
What to pack for Samara in June
Pack for heat, humidity and afternoon showers, with clothing that dries fast and gear that keeps the essentials dry.
- A light rain jacket, for the afternoon showers that usually arrive after lunch.
- Quick-drying shorts and tops, since nothing stays dry in the humid air.
- A rash guard and sunscreen, for surf lessons and bright mornings.
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals, for wet paths and muddy roads.
- A dry bag, to protect your phone and passport.
- Insect repellent, for the damp evenings.
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.
June sits at the start of the green season, and rain can turn dirt roads slick, so allow extra time if you drive anywhere outside town. Do your outdoor plans in the morning and keep the afternoon loose. June usually brings clear mornings and afternoon showers. Before swimming, remember that most beaches do not have lifeguards.
Samara in June vs May and July
Going four weeks earlier, in May, brings a slightly warmer sea and air, and the rains are just settling in, so the landscape is still turning from dry to green. It is a good shift if you want a bit more warmth in the water and a transition feel to the season.
Going four weeks later, in July, the sea is about the same as in June, the air is similar, and the showers continue on most days. The hills are greener and the mood is quiet, though the pattern of clear mornings and wet afternoons stays much the same.
Choose May if you want to catch the last of the drier feel and a touch more heat. Choose June or July if you love lush scenery, calm beaches and a slower pace, and are happy to plan around the rain.
Is June a good time to visit Samara?
Yes, June is a good time for travelers who like green hills, warm water and a relaxed beach town, and who are happy to build the day around morning sun and afternoon showers.
It is less suited to people who need dry weather for every hour, who plan long hikes or boat days that depend on clear skies, or who want the busier beach scene of the drier months, since rain falls on most days of June. Families with children will like the gentle bay, and surfers will find friendly waves for lessons.
On arrival, walk down to the bay, watch the water for a few minutes and ask at your hotel how the sea looks that day. What is special about June here is the soft, green look of the coast: clear mornings, towering clouds over the Pacific and a quiet town that feels like it belongs to the people who stay.
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