On the evening of September 14, children in Samara walk the dusty streets with paper lanterns, the faroles, glowing in every color while neighbors watch from doorways. After months of rain, the hills that rise behind the bay turn a deep green, while the air carries the scent of wet earth and salt. September here is the heart of the green season, a quiet, lush month for people who like their beach towns unhurried.
What is the weather like in Samara in September?
September in Samara is hot, humid and very wet, with warm air from early morning until well after dark and rain on almost every day of the month.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days | Sea (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | 84.1 | 75.7 | 26.7 | 85.8 |
| September | 83.3 | 75.4 | 28.3 | 86.0 |
| October | 82.7 | 75.1 | 28.4 | 85.5 |
The day’s finest hours usually come early. The sky can be bright and the light soft over the bay, so this is when most people walk the beach, swim or head out on the water. Clouds usually build as the day goes on, and the rain tends to arrive in the afternoon or evening, sometimes as a short downpour, sometimes as a long gray soak that settles over the Pacific side of the peninsula for hours.
You can still eat dinner outdoors in a T-shirt most nights, but once a storm passes, the air turns heavy and the dirt roads become mud. Days run a little over twelve hours long, so the light fades early in the evening. Plan the outdoor hours before lunch, keep the afternoons flexible, and expect that a rainy stretch can last several days in a row.
Dress for heat and wet at the same time: light, quick-drying clothes, sandals that grip, and a rain shell that breathes. Everything dries slowly, so bring one extra swimsuit and expect damp towels. The reward is a landscape at its greenest, with dramatic clouds over the sea and sunsets that break through when the rain pauses.
Can you swim in Samara in September?
In September the sea is warm, and Samara’s sheltered bay is typically gentler than many beaches on this coast, but check conditions before entering.
A wide arc shapes the shoreline, and because a reef and an island sit offshore, they tame the waves, which keeps the water by town typically shallow and gentle. That makes it a favorite for families, paddleboarders and people who like to float. Waves can still grow after heavy rain or a stormy spell, and conditions change from day to day, so look at the water before you go in.
Rip currents are a grave danger in Costa Rica, causing the deaths by drowning of several American travelers each year. On the majority of beaches, you will find neither lifeguards nor any alert about dangerous conditions, so plan on having neither one.
Because most beaches have no lifeguards or warnings, do not treat other swimmers as proof that the water is safe. Surfers usually head to beaches with more swell than the sheltered bay in town. Pack a rash guard, sunscreen and a dry bag, since rain can show up with little notice.
What to do in Samara in September
The big date is September 15, Independence Day. On the evening of September 14, the Desfile de Faroles sends children through town with paper lanterns they have often made at school, and the next day brings school bands and flags. It is a small-town celebration, more neighborhood than spectacle, and it is a lovely way to see the place as the people who live here do.
Beyond the parade, September is a month for slow pleasures. Mornings suit a walk along the sand at low energy, a swim in the bay and a long breakfast of gallo pinto, the rice and beans mixed with onion and sweet pepper, served with eggs, fried plantain and strong Costa Rican coffee. For the midday meal, you might have a casado, that combination of rice, beans and salad with either fish, chicken or beef, or perhaps a serving of just-made ceviche alongside a chilled fruit beverage.
The beach and the bay
The bay is the center of life here. Palms and almond trees line the sand, and the road runs close behind them, so cafés, restaurants and small shops are never more than a few steps from the water. In the rainy season the beach is quieter than in the dry months, and you can often find long stretches of open sand.
The protected water works well for paddleboarding and kayaking, but check conditions before heading offshore. Go early, before the afternoon clouds build. If you want to try surfing, a lesson on a gentle wave is a popular way to spend a morning, though the size of the surf depends on the day. Always ask about conditions first and follow the flags where there are any.
On a day when the sky stays gray, the beach is still pleasant for walking. Warm drizzle on warm sand has its own charm, and the sea seems to glow green under the clouds. Bring a light rain jacket, leave valuables at your lodging, and enjoy the empty shoreline.
Rain-day pleasures in town
Samara has a relaxed, international feel, and when the afternoon storms come in there is plenty to do under a roof. Yoga studios offer morning and evening classes, small bakeries sell fresh bread and pastries, and open-air restaurants keep their tables under thatch or tin so you can watch the rain fall over the bay with a coffee or a cold drink.
If the rain settles in, spend the afternoon at a spa, a yoga class or a craft shop, or settle onto a covered porch with a good book and a cold drink while the September drizzle softens the light over Samara. Cooking and smoothie bars, souvenir stalls and small art shops fill easy hours between showers.
Evenings are for dinner by the sea. Grilled fish, shrimp, tacos and wood-fired pizza all turn up on menus, along with fresh tropical fruit such as pineapple, papaya and mango. After dark, the town is calm, with a few bars playing music and groups of travelers sharing the day’s stories.
Nature in the green season
The rains transform the Nicoya Peninsula. Rivers swell, waterfalls run, and the forest edges fill with birdsong, frogs and insects after dark. Beyond Samara, Playa Carrillo, Isla Chora and Ostional offer concrete options for beach time, snorkeling and wildlife outings.
Trails turn slick and muddy, so wear shoes with grip and carry water. Roads away from town can be slow, and a heavy storm may change plans, so keep the schedule loose. The payoff is a deep green countryside with fewer people on the paths and a calm, damp, tropical mood that is hard to find in the dry months.
A two-day itinerary for Samara in September
Day 1. Start early, because the morning is when the sky is most likely to cooperate. Walk the beach at first light, then swim in the sheltered water and have breakfast at a café near the sand, with gallo pinto and coffee. Spend the late morning on a paddleboard or kayak, or take a surf lesson if the waves are friendly.
Eat a casado or fresh fish at a simple local spot around midday, then rest while the clouds gather. When the afternoon rain comes, switch to a yoga class, a bakery stop or a browse through the craft shops. If the sky clears before sunset, return to the beach for the evening light, then have dinner at a seaside restaurant.
Day 2. Take a guided nature walk in the morning, when the forest is most active and the air is cooler. Return to town for a late breakfast or early lunch and a swim to rinse off the mud. Sit in the shade for a while with a cold fruit drink, because the afternoon will probably bring rain.
If the day lines up with September 14, spend the evening along the main street for the Desfile de Faroles, where children carry their lanterns past families and neighbors. On September 15, watch the school bands and flags in the morning. Otherwise, finish with a long dinner of grilled fish and tropical fruit, and a slow walk home under the dripping palms.
Is Samara busy in September?
No, September is one of the quietest times in Samara, a green-season month when the beach, restaurants and trails are far less crowded than in the dry months.
Most visitors are travelers who like low-key trips, surfers and yoga fans, plus some Costa Rican families around Independence Day. September is generally quiet, but availability still varies by property and service.
Expect more Costa Rican visitors when your stay includes September 14 and 15, then leave the remaining weeks of the month open for looser plans. Rain can shuffle tours, guided walks and lessons, so keep those plans flexible. Rain can shuffle schedules, so build a little slack into the trip.
What to pack for Samara in September
Pack for heat, humidity and daily rain, with clothes that dry quickly and gear you can keep dry in a bag.
- A light rain jacket, because afternoon downpours are common.
- Quick-drying clothes, since everything dries slowly in the humidity.
- Sandals with grip and closed shoes for muddy trails.
- A rash guard and sunscreen for long mornings on the water.
- A dry bag for phone, passport and camera.
- Insect repellent for evenings and forest walks.
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.
September falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, and Samara sits on the Pacific side, where the green season brings heavy rain and the occasional stormy spell. Keep plans flexible, especially for trips away from town, and expect that muddy roads can slow any drive.
A passport valid for the entire length of your stay is required, plus proof of onward travel or a return ticket. Officials might permit visa-free visits of as long as 180 days, though you should not count on that.
Samara in September vs August and October
Moving a month earlier to August changes little. The air is a touch warmer, the sea is almost the same, and the rain falls on slightly fewer days. The mood is similar, with green hills and afternoon storms, so the choice usually comes down to your calendar rather than the weather.
October is the wettest of the three, with more rain in total and showers on nearly every day. The sea stays warm, and the beach is just as quiet, but the heaviest spells can make hiking and day trips harder. September sits between them and has the Independence Day lanterns, which neither neighbor offers.
Choose September if you want the lantern parade and a calm bay. Shift to August if you prefer a little more sun, and to October only if you want the quietest weeks and do not mind steady rain.
Is September a good time to visit Samara?
If you’re a traveler drawn to mild seas, verdant slopes and a laid-back coastal town, and you take it as given that a little rain comes with the day, then yes.
It suits swimmers, paddlers, yoga lovers, families who enjoy a local celebration and anyone who wants space on the sand. It is a weaker choice for people who need dependable sun for every hour, long hikes on dry trails or a guaranteed view from a hilltop.
On arrival, walk down to the bay first and check how the water looks, then plan the days around the mornings. What is special about September here is the mix of a glowing sea, a deep green countryside and a night in mid-month when children fill the streets with paper lanterns.
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
- U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Entry and exit requirements (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026