Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Samara, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: Samara Palm Lodge
Nominated By: Allison and Michael from Darn Good Digs, Brooklyn, NY, August '12

Price Range: US$50-$95 (breakfast extra) # of Rooms: 8 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Samara Palm Lodge so Darn Good? Beautifully maintained and much loved by its amiable, yet unobtrusive Swiss-German owners, the Samara Palm Lodge won us over from the moment we stepped through the gate. We could have spent all day swimming in the lovely pool or chillaxing in the thatched-roof lounge admiring the tropical gardens and looking for iguanas and monkeys in the trees.

Location: Located on the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Samara is a little surfer town with an excellent swimming beach protected from riptides by a coral reef. One morning we drove ten minutes to the beautiful palm-lined Playa Carrillo where we had nearly the whole beach to ourselves, not counting the bright red sand crabs!

Rooms: The lodge's eight guestrooms and one family suite, all overlooking the pool, are simply yet cheerfully decorated with shells and towels sculpted into sea animals, and colorful hangings on the walls. Some rooms have air conditioners (much appreciated while we were there in July) and televisions.

Food: The yummy European-style breakfast includes a plate of meat and cheeses, along with bread, cereal, yogurt, and fresh fruit salad. While we planned on checking out some local breakfast spots, we couldn't resist opting for a leisurely breakfast by the pool each morning.

Vibe: Wonderfully peaceful, yet family friendly - we always looked forward to coming home to our little hideway after a day at the beach.

Keep in Mind: The lodge is a few blocks from the main part of town and the beach, but an easy walk.