Samara: Werner Sauter Reserve Hike & Mango Tasting Tour

Summary

Hiking through dry forest trails and mango groves in Samara

You’ll wander through Samara’s rare dry forest trails with a local guide, taste fresh mangos straight from the tree, spot wildlife hiding in plain sight, and hear real stories about life in Guanacaste. Expect earthy scents, quiet moments under big sky, and a sense of resilience you might carry home.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wonder what a tropical dry forest actually smells like? I didn’t, until we set out from Playa Samara for the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve. Our guide, Esteban, greeted us with that slow Guanacaste smile and a quick “pura vida” before leading us off the old cattle farm path. The air was warm but not sticky — more like sun-baked earth and dried leaves, with this faint sweetness I couldn’t place at first. Turns out it was mango trees all around us, just starting to ripen. He said we could eat as many as we wanted. I tried to act cool but yeah, I ate three.

The hike itself is about two and a half hours — not too tough if you take it slow. Esteban kept stopping to point out things I’d honestly have missed: a line of leafcutter ants hauling bits bigger than their bodies, a flash of turquoise from a motmot bird (he had to whisper the name twice; I still probably say it wrong). He told us how this part of Guanacaste only gets rain half the year, so everything here has to fight for water — even the trees have these thick skins you can scratch with your nail. At one point, we just stood listening to nothing but wind and some far-off monkey calls. It’s strange how quiet it gets when you’re used to waves or city noise.

I didn’t expect to feel so much walking through land that’s been both burned by wildfires and cleared for farming over decades. There’s this resilience in the forest — like it’s patching itself together every season. Esteban shared stories about his own family’s farm nearby and how locals are trying to protect what’s left of these dry forests in Costa Rica. We finished up back at the edge of the reserve with sticky mango fingers and dusty shoes. Still thinking about that mix of sweetness and earthiness — it kind of stays with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided hike through biological reserve

• Start at former cattle farm
• Walk through mango plantation
• Eat organic mangos
• Explore Werner Sauter Biological Reserve

Top questions

How long is the Samara Trails tour?

The guided hike lasts about 2.5 hours from start to finish.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels near Samara.

What do you see on the Werner Sauter Reserve hike?

You’ll walk through former farmland, a mango plantation (with tasting), and into protected dry forest areas with native wildlife.

Is this hike suitable for kids?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; moderate fitness is needed.

Are there any health restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or serious cardiovascular issues.

Do you get to eat mangos on the tour?

Yes! You can eat as many organic mangos as you want during the walk through the plantation.

Will there be a professional guide?

A local professional guide leads every tour and shares insights about wildlife and history.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels near Samara, all entry fees for the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve, guidance from a local expert throughout the hike, plus all-you-can-eat organic mangos right off the tree before heading back home.