HATTABOY TOPS PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGE

The high winds continued into Day Two, making for a sporty ride out to the fishing grounds. However, once situated, the fleet went back to work releasing billfish in decent numbers. Some captains reported water temperatures reaching nearly 90 degrees, far above the comfort zone for marlin and sailfish, while others sighted the seemingly ever-present longliners and tuna boats, both of which contribute to billfish mortality levels.

It would be the Big Oh team that located a pod of willing sailfish on Day Two, capitalizing on their number of bites to move into the lead in the team standings with 1100 points. However, the rest of the fleet was hot on their heels with Hattaboy reaching 1000 points and Sea Angeladding enough to their totals to reach 900 points. The angler standings tightened up considerably, with Gray Ingram, Diego Lopez and Arturo Lopez each scoring a total of 600 points to date in the tournament. It should be noted that there are three anglers per team and that anglers must rotate their positions, from the flatlines to the outrigger baits, every 30 minutes. Once again, this promotes equality for both the team and especially the angler scoring—no one angler can monopolize the opportunities in the cockpit.
 

Villas Playa Samara, Samara Beach, Costa Rica.

Moving into Day Three, Hattaboy captain Chris Garner must have felt the confidence growing in his team. Capt. Chris once again steered the big Hatteras toward productive water and the bites started almost immediately. When the salt spray cleared at the end of the day, the team had swept both the ICT Top Team standings and the Costa Del Mar Top Angler division. They had added another marlin and four sails to their total to score 1700 points. In three days of very tough fishing, they scored a marlin release every day, with the final tally being three marlin and eight sailfish released. Gerard Eliseo was the event’s Top Angler with 700 points. In addition to a host of prizes and trophies for the team, captain and crew, they will also receive an invitation to compete in the IGFA Offshore Championship event in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico later this year.

Finishing in second place was the Big Oh team at 1300 points. Led by owner Gray Ingram, they fell just short of the mark set by the Hattaboy. Ingram was the third place angler with 600 points. The Sea Angelfinished third in the team standings, with angler Austin Angel placing second in the angler division at 700 points. For the tournament there were 67 billfish released: 57 sailfish and ten marlin.�
 

Samara Beach, Villas Playa Samara.

For those tourists coming from the San José mountain area, I´d like to recommend ar visiting the beautiful Southern Nicoya peninsula!

Hotel Villas Playa Samara, Samara Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

If you’re looking for an adventurous road trip and want to see more of Costa Ricas great coastline and beaches, drive north on the coast road and visit Villas Playa Samara. If you don’t have your own car you can arrange to be driven there through tour agents.  Samara can be reached quite comfortably on the 35 km paved road from Nicoya. Buses connect direct to San José every day and there are flights to San José from the small airstrip of Carillo, 7 km south of Samara.

Hotel Villas Playa Samara has long been a favorite Tico resort, perfect for soaking up sun and enjoying beach life in an unpretentious, friendly, laid-back atmosphere. This small village is located in a large half-moon bay with a pale sand beach shaded by palms and old fig trees. Samara is a very compact community, and everything you need is within walking distance.

I especially liked the restaurant and bar with fancy beach decoration, where you can hang out in comfortable sofas or chairs, watch life on the beach while drinking, eating, listening to good music and just feel – the feeling of vacation. For late-night entertainment you can go to the funky discotheque of Samara, located right on the beach.

Activities in Samara

Hotel Villas Playa Samara, Samara Beach, Costa Rica.

A 2 km walk south along the beach brings you to the fishing community of Matapalo. Matapalo means strangler fig in English and indeed there is an immense old strangler fig rooting in the sand. The beach is littered with broken corals which make up the sea bottom of the southern part of the bay. The shallow waters are ideal for snorkeling and kayaking.

For underwater adventure, go diving or snorkeling at the offshore coral reef. It is one of the few found on the Costa Rican Pacific coast and there are schools of yellow jack, sardines and manta rays. Next to the reef is Chora Island which is home to colonies of maritime birds. With an ocean kayak you can paddle to the island and enjoy a gorgeous pink sand beach.

The chest-deep water and easy surf in Samara bay is perfect for beginners learning to surf. More challenging waves for the profs are found 12 km south of Samara, on Playa Camaronal. Other water sports offered in Samara include windsurfing, sport fishing, or kayaking along the coast or into the river estuary of the Rio Ora.

On shore activities include horseback rides to the Tobacco waterfalls with its three cataracts and natural swimming pools. Or go on a Canopy Tour in Santo Domingo, three km inland from Samara.

Nosara, ½ hour north of Samara, is one of the great Costa Rica surfer spots, with two beaches; Playa Pelada and Playa Guiones. Unlike Samara, Nosara it is quite spread out, so some form of transport is needed. Lots of people use bicycles, a fun way to travel because the area is not very hilly.

Of course our trip was rather short to really get to know the place well. But having got a glimpse … I’m going to return, if only to experience a real tico fishing experience. It is best on the incoming tide, when fish like snoek and sea bass wait for river shrimp and other estuary life to feed on.

Hotel Villas Playa Samara, Samara Beach, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Samara Beach is perfect for a beach vacation to soak up sun and beach life in an unpretentious, laid-back atmosphere. The small village is located in a large half moon bay with pale sand beach which is shaded by palms and old fig trees in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

The shallow waters of the bay are protected by a coral reef and the easygoing surf makes swimming enjoyable. Low tide produces a vast swathe of sand, providing plenty of playground for kids and grown-ups.

Samara Beach is a traditional weekend and vacation retreat for Costa Ricans and still feels fairly authentic with many businesses and hotels run by local Ticos. It’s a perfect family destination and seems especially popular with travelers from Europe.

Samara’s main drag leads directly down to the beach where seaside restaurants and bars feature sand floors, fancy beach arts and mellow tunes.
Being a vacation spot, Hotel Villas Playa Samara combines the authentic local culture with the comforts you desire, fully equipped villas as well as a wet bar and a five star restaurant with international cuisine at your disposal.

Activities in Samara Beach

Hotel Villas Playa Samara recommends you check out

A 2 km walk south along the beach brings you to the fishing community of Matapalo. Matapalo means strangler fig in English and indeed there is an immense old strangler fig rooting in the sand. The beach is littered with broken corals which make up the sea bottom of the southern part of the bay. The shallow waters are great for snorkeling.

The submarine adventure is even more thrilling if you go diving or snorkeling at the offshore coral reef. It is one of the few ones found on the Costa Rican Pacific. Schools or yellow jacks, sardines and manta rays abound.

Next to the reef is Chora Island which is home to colonies of maritime birds. With an ocean kayak you can paddle to the island and enjoy pure escapism on a gorgeous pink sand beach.

The chest-deep water and easy surf in the bay is perfect for beginners learning to surf. More challenging waves for the pros are found 12 km south of Samara Beach, on Playa Camaronal.

Other water sports offered in Samara Beach include windsurfing, sport fishing, or kayaking along the coast or into the river estuary of the Rio Ora.

For activities on land you can ride on horseback to the Tobacco waterfalls with its three cataracts and natural swimming pools. Or go on a Canopy Tour in Santo Domingo, three km inland from Samara.

Getting to Samara:

Samara Beach can be reached quite comfortably on the 35 km paved road from Nicoya. Daily direct busses connect to San José and there are flights to San José from the small airstrip of Carrillo, 7 km south of Samara Beach.

Please contact us to schedule your desired expedition or activity as all of these activists have been preapproved by Hotel Villas Playa Samara to make sure the travel qualifies our standards or feel free to Book now and make your reservation.