Samara
Costa Rica Travel Guide

Samara is a small beach town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula, in the province of Guanacaste. The village is nestled in a large crescent-shaped bay, with a wide, palm-lined beach that stretches for more than 7 km. An offshore coral reef protects the bay, creating calm waters that are ideal for gentle swimming and beginner surfers.

Samara is only about 30 km from Nosara, and Playa Carrillo lies 8 km to the south. Compared with Puerto Carrillo, just a short drive away, Samara is the livelier of the two, with restaurants, shops, and activities, yet it still retains its rustic seaside-town charm. The town is reached by a paved road from Nicoya.

Travel Times

• From San José (SJO): Approximately 4–5 hours by car, or 5–6 hours by shared shuttle or bus

• From Liberia Airport (LIR): About 2–2.5 hours by car or private shuttle

• From Nosara: 30 to 60 minutes (around 30 km), depending on conditions

• From Tamarindo: About 2–2.5 hours by car

• From Santa Teresa: Approximately 3.5–4 hours by car (about 5 hours by shared shuttle)

• From Monteverde: About 3 hours by car or private shuttle, 4 hours by shared shuttle

• From La Fortuna: Approximately 4.5–5 hours by car or shuttle

The small city is easily accessible by an asphalt road from Nicoya. A daily bus connects it to San José and other major cities in Costa Rica. The city center is very compact, it is not necessary to have a car to visit it. Hotels, supermarkets, shops, and the beach are all within easy walking distance.

To get to Sámara, Costa Rica, you have a few options depending on where you're coming from and your preferred mode of transportation.

How to get to Samara from the South of Costa Rica?

If you're traveling to Sámara from the southern regions of Costa Rica, such as San José or areas closer to the Pacific coast, you have a couple of options:

• By car :

If you have access to a vehicle or rent a car, driving is often the most convenient way to reach Sámara from the south. You can take Route 27 from San José to Puntarenas, then catch the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera. From Paquera, drive to Nicoya and then to Sámara. Alternatively, you can drive along the coastal Route 34 (Costanera Sur) from the south until you reach the intersection with Route 150, which leads to Nicoya and eventually to Sámara.

• By bus public transport :

If you're on a budget, you can take a public bus from Liberia to Nicoya and then transfer to another bus to Sámara. The journey may take longer compared to a shuttle or private transfer, but it's a more economical option. There is a unique bus from San José to Samara every day at 11:59 a.m. The journey takes approximately 5-7 hours, passing through Liberia with the transport company Transport Inteligente Guanacaste. For going back to San José from Samara there is a direct bus at 4 a.m every morning.

How to get to Samara from the North of Costa Rica?

If you're traveling to Sámara from the northern regions of Costa Rica, such as Liberia or the Nicoya Peninsula, you have several transportation options:

• By car :

If you rent a car, driving is often the most convenient way to reach Sámara from the north. From Liberia, you can take Route 21 south towards Nicoya. In Nicoya, you'll then take Route 150 to Sámara. If you're already on the Nicoya Peninsula, you can simply take Route 150 directly to Sámara.

• By bus public transport :

Public buses operate between Liberia and Nicoya, as well as between other towns on the Nicoya Peninsula and Nicoya itself. Once in Nicoya, you can catch another bus to Sámara. While this option may take longer and involve transfers, it's a more budget-friendly choice.

• By plane : 

If you're coming from other parts of Costa Rica or nearby countries, you may consider flying into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle/taxi to Sámara, which is about a 2-3 hour drive away.

Get to Samara by group or private shuttle?

You can also book a private or shared shuttle to go to Samara. We hilghy recommend you opt with the shared shuttle service if your budget allows. Many shuttle services operate between Liberia Airport and Sámara, offering convenient and comfortable transportation. You can book these in advance through our private transfer service.

Our private transfer service can be customized to fit whatever your travel needs may be and also allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery. All our vehicles are driven by reliable and punctual professionals, who are there to help you move safely around the country. Indeed, many travelers make the mistake of underestimating driving distances, driving conditions, and the amount of patience required to navigate between destinations. Our private or shared shuttle service removes the hassle and stress, while still being flexible with your travel schedule.

Writer's Tips: If you want to rent a car, use our Pura Vida Traveling exclusive link to receive up to 10% off and additional rental benefits.

Visit Playa Carrillo, the “Mirador del Sur”, and watch the sunset.

If you venture outside the city, you will discover beautiful, uncrowded beaches. In the opposite direction, 8 km south of Samara, is Playa Carrillo, a picturesque palm-fringed beach set in a quiet horseshoe-shaped bay. Just after this beach, take the time to stop at an exceptional viewpoint. Meet at “Mirador el Sur” located 15 minutes by car from Samara city center.

We didn't have a car, so we went there by taxi, we met Taxi Lito, a real Tico who was adorable, with whom we discussed many topics about Costa Rica. Do not hesitate to contact him if you wish to travel around Samara (contact him via WhatsApp at +506 6336 8176). The trip cost us a total of 16,000 colones round trip from our Las Mariposas hostel (or around 7$ per person if you are 4). And believe me, it’s worth it!

The place is just sublime, you will access it via a small private path, and barely 3 minutes later you arrive at a breathtaking view over the entire bay. We advise you to go there around 4:30 p.m. to take the opportunity to admire the sunset. A few meters further down, you can access superb natural swimming pools (remember to watch the tides, the place is only accessible at low tide).