Town in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Is Sámara LGBTQ+ friendly?
4/5Welcoming
Is Sámara LGBTQ+ friendly?
Legal and relaxed in a small, easygoing beach town with many foreign residents; the wider peninsula is more conservative.
LGBTQ+ laws in Costa Rica
The most welcoming country in Central America; San José has a gay scene and Manuel Antonio is popular. Rural areas are more conservative.
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | Yes |
| Civil unions or partnerships | Yes |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | Partial |
LGBTQ+ friendliness across Costa Rica
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| San José | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Manuel Antonio | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Playas del Coco | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Sámara | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| La Fortuna | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Tamarindo | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Santa Teresa | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Monteverde | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Puerto Viejo | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nosara | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Tortuguero | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Jacó | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Uvita | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
Quick answers
Is Sámara safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Legal and relaxed in a small, easygoing beach town with many foreign residents; the wider peninsula is more conservative.
Is same-sex marriage legal in Costa Rica?
Yes.
More about Sámara
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Sources
- ILGA World: legal frameworks
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Costa Rica
- Government of Canada travel advice: Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- CCSS (public health)
- Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport
- La Nación: Sámara water supply taken over by AyA
- Bus Costa Rica: shared shuttle Sámara to Liberia
Ratings combine national law with local attitudes and the scene. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.