El Lagarto BBQ
Food & Coffee · Nicoya Peninsula · Dinner
A long-time Sámara classic at the northern end of the beach: open-air tables and steak, chicken and seafood cooked on a big wood-fired grill, served with baked potato and vegetables. Pricier than most, but the meat and fish are top quality.
- Hours
- Daily 15:00–22:30
Dishes to try
wood-grilled steak · grilled seafood · grilled vegetables
Before you go
- Tickets
- Better to book ahead
- Checked
- 2026-10
Contact & directions
- Website: https://ellagartobbq.com/
- Location: 9.8815, -85.530078 — Google Maps · Waze
Secret spots nearby
- Sámara Saturday Market (Feria)Local shop · FreeA tree-shaded Saturday market (7 am to 2 pm) with fresh tropical fruit and vegetables, fish, homemade street food, crafts and live music.
- Cangrejal Tide Pools (west of Sámara)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemRocky shoreline at the west end of Sámara bay where low tide uncovers pools with crabs, puffer fish, wading birds and, reportedly, moray eels.
- Playa SámaraBeach · FreeA reef-sheltered bay with gentle waves, a relaxed Tico village behind it and little Isla Chora offshore — the most family-friendly swimming beach on the peninsula.
- Isla ChoraNature spot · about $10A forested islet just off Sámara beach, reached by kayak, boat or a strong swim, with a small beach, reef snorkeling and iguanas and pelicans on the rocks.
- Playa Buena VistaBeach · Free · hidden gemA long, wild beach just west of Sámara with river mouths and mangroves at both ends — great for empty walks, birding and wide sunsets.
- Playa CarrilloBeach · FreeA near-perfect crescent of white sand fringed with coconut palms, with calm water and not a building on the beach — a local favorite just south of Sámara.
Sources: https://ellagartobbq.com/