Samara Getting There
Air:
Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport serves international carriers from large cities like Atlanta, Miami and Newark. From the Liberia airport, Samara is a two-hour drive. Travelers who are already in the country may opt to fly into Nosara and taxi into Samara; average fares range $70 for this trip.
Bus:
From San Jose: $8.00; 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Saturdays only); 5 hours. Departs from the intersection of Avenida 5 and Calles 14/16 (Alfaro Terminal). Buses also depart from and return to Samara daily en route to Nicoya. 2222-2666.
Buses depart Nicoya for Samara at 6:00 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:20 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The trip takes roughly one hour and costs $1.60.
Leaving Samara: From the bus station paralleling the mall along the road to Nicoya, buses depart daily for San Jose at 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Buses depart Samara for Nicoya at 5:30 a.m., 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Car:
The drive from San Jose to Samara takes around four hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Take the Caldera highway, Route 27, following signs to Puntarenas and Liberia until the turnoff for the Tempisque Bridge, known as the Puente de la Amistad. After crossing the Gulf of Nicoya, continue to Nicoya and turn south, following signs that will lead you directly to Samara beach.