El Ancla Bar and Restaurant
A colored sugar-dusted piña colada and icy watermelon planter's punch tantalize from a table on the beach at El Ancla Bar and Restaurant. There's a reason El Ancla is one of Playa Samara's most beloved restaurants: a seafood meal right on the beach is a heyday for your mouth, nose and eyes — and a total Costa Rica vacation must-do.
read more closeCoastal cocktails aren't the only Pacific pleasure El Ancla has to offer; quality red snapper, sea bass and mahi-mahi come straight from the waters of Samara, up the shore, and into the restaurant's kitchen.
Jaws drop at the spectacle of a fried whole fish, $12-$14 (depending on weight), served with a curly 'Q' lime twist to squeeze, french fries and a mixed salad.
Beachgoers turn to smell the savory aroma of butter-garlic sauce on El Ancla’s bestseller, jumbo shrimp, $14, and sides of crispy french fries and a mixed salad.
Ambiance
Tables directly on the sand tend to fill up quickly from travelers eager to enjoy their meals amidst the ocean view, but inland near the bar, there's also a cozy shaded area with TVs and cute Costa Rican trinkets.
Service
Servers are comfortable with their tenure, touting more than 20-years as one of Samara's most established beachfront restaurants, enhancing their efficiency and professionalism.
Prices
Appetizers $3-$12; Entrees $8-$18; Desserts $5-$6; Drinks $2-$6
Hours
10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
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