The 5 Best Ways to Get from San Jose to Samara, Costa Rica

Are you looking for the best way to get from San Jose to Samara, Costa Rica?

San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, is home to the main international airport. Samara is a beautiful beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula known for its beautiful coastline, relaxed atmosphere, and tons of fun activities.

To get between these two locations, there are multiple transportation options, including rental cars, private shuttles, public buses, shared shuttles, and domestic flights. Each transportation option comes with certain pros and cons and is best for certain types of travelers.

We live in San Jose and frequently visit Samara, so this guide is based on all of our good and bad experiences getting between these destinations. You’ll find information on the best transportation options based on your needs, what to expect when driving, our recommendations for shuttles, and fun places to stop along the route.

Let’s get started!

San Jose to Samara at a Glance

🚗 Rent a car and drive yourself. This will take about 4 to 5 hours. Book Your Car Here
🚐 Take a private shuttle (good if you are traveling with a larger group). Get a Price Quote
🚌 Take a shared shuttle with other passengers. Shared Shuttle Options
✈️ Take a domestic flight to Nosara and then a taxi to Samara. Check Flight Options
🚏 Take a public bus to Samara. Check Bus Options

Option	Cost (on average)	Time	Convenience	Flexibility	Comfort	Best For
Rental Car	$40 – $80/day + fuel	4-5 hrs	High (flexible, door-to-door)	High (explore freely)	High (private, controlled)	Exploring, families, groups
Private Shuttle	$250 – $350	4-5 hrs	High (door-to-door, stress-free)	Moderate (set schedule)	High (private, driver)	Stress-free, groups, families
Shared Shuttle	$50 – $70/person	5 hrs	Moderate (set schedule, shared)	Low (fixed schedule)	Moderate (shared, comfortable)	Budget, solo, small groups
Public Bus	$12/person	6 hrs	Low (fixed schedule, stops)	Low (fixed schedule)	Moderate (shared, basic)	Budget, backpackers, solo
Domestic Flight	$70 – $150/person	30 mins flight + 1 hr taxi	High (quick, taxi needed)	Low (fixed times)	High (quick, scenic)	Quick travel, limited time

San Jose and the International Airport

The Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is located near the city of Alajuela, just west of San Jose. After a long flight, consider spending the night near the airport and heading out in the morning.

Traffic around the airport can be heavy, and downtown San Jose is about 20 minutes to an hour away. Instead, we suggest spending your first night in the city of Alajuela.

Hotels near SJO Airport:

High End Hotel: AC Hotel by Marriott Heredia Belen
Mid-Range Hotel: Casa Garitas
Budget-Friendly Hotel: Lajuela B&B

Travel Tip: The sun sets by 6 PM every day. We suggest spending the night near the airport if your flight gets in after 1 PM so that you will not be driving in the dark. The drive involves some unpaved and unlit roads, which might be a little overwhelming if it is your first time driving in the country.

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Where is Samara?

Samara is a beach town located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, approximately 140 miles northwest of San Jose.

The drive usually takes around 4 to 5 hours from the airport, depending on traffic. The town is most famous for its beautiful beaches, calm waters, and laid-back vibe.

The beaches are perfect for swimming, and there are plenty of opportunities for surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking.

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Option #1: Renting a Car

Having a rental car will give you the most flexibility in your travel plans. You can start your drive whenever you want and stop at all the interesting places along the way.

We suggest renting a car if you are:

Independent Travelers: If you enjoy exploring at your own pace and want the flexibility to make spontaneous stops along the way.
Families: Families with children who may need frequent breaks or those traveling with a lot of luggage. Plus, this will be more cost-effective than some other options.
Adventure Seekers: If you are interested in exploring off-the-beaten-path locations and attractions, a car is great.
Groups: Groups of friends or family members who can share the cost of the rental, making it more economical.
Onward Travel: If you plan to visit multiple destinations, a car is helpful.

We don’t suggest renting a car if you are:

Budget Travelers: If you are looking to minimize expenses, car rental might not be for you.
Solo Travelers: If you are traveling alone, you may find car rental costs to be too much compared to shared shuttle options.
Nervous Drivers: If you are not confident in your driving skills, this might not be the best option.
Staying in a Resort: Often you won’t need a car if you are staying in a resort with all amenities included.

Best Car Rental Agencies

We always suggest renting your car with Adobe Rent-a-Car. They are our favorite local rental company in the country.

Because we like them so much, we asked if they would be willing to partner with us. We now have an excellent 10% exclusive discount to pass on to you, plus a bunch of other great perks.

When you rent your car, make sure to select “San Jose International Airport (SJO)” as your pick-up location if you would like your car from the airport.

Adobe Rent-a-Car Benefits:

10% discount for Costa Rica Vibes readers
Free second driver
0% deductible on Liability Protection Insurance
Excellent customer service
New fleet of well-maintained vehicles

Click here to get a 10% discount plus some other amazing perks on your rental car

Picking Up Your Rental Car from the Airport

When your flight lands at the SJO airport, you will go through border control, pick up your luggage, and then head outside into the nice Costa Rica heat.

Once outside, you will be confronted with a lot of people asking if you need a taxi or holding signs for various shuttle and tour companies. If you have rented your car with Adobe, look for someone holding an Adobe sign.

This employee will then take you on the comfortable Adobe shuttle to their office located across the street from the airport. The airport is not that big, so most rental companies are not located directly on-site.

At the Adobe office, you will get the keys to your vehicle and be on your way!

Pro Tip: If you opt to spend the night near the Juan Santamaría International Airport, you can always have Adobe deliver your car to you in the morning. They are happy to deliver your rental car to your hotel for free within 12 miles of their office.

Which Car to Rent

We suggest renting an SUV and possibly a 4×4 depending on what you plan to explore ponce in Samara.

The drive to Samara is mostly on well-maintained highways and roads. Any vehicle would be perfectly fine.

However, some hikes and beaches in the Samara area are located on unpaved roads. Usually, these are passable with an SUV, but sometimes in the late rainy season (August to November) they can be very muddy and hard to pass.

Travel Tip: Before booking your car, it is a good idea to ask at your hotel in Samara if you will need a 4×4 to get to the hotel. Some places are located on steep side roads.

#1 Car Rental Pick

The 5 Best Ways to Get from San Jose to Samara, Costa Rica

Adobe Rent-a-Car

10% discount for Costa Rica Vibes readers
Free second driver
0% deductible on Liability Protection Insurance
Excellent customer service
New fleet of well-maintained vehicles

Check Prices and Availability!

The Driving Route

The driving route from San Jose to Samara is pretty straightforward, but let me give you some detailed information to make it as clear as possible.

When you look at the driving route on Google Maps or Waze, follow these directions:

From the San Jose Airport, you will:

Start by heading west on Route 1 (the big highway directly outside of the airport) for about 6 miles. From the Adobe Car Rental office, you will already be on the correct side of the road. Just turn right out of the parking lot and you will be on your way!
Exit at the roundabout. There are signs for Route 27. You will continue on this road for about 3 miles.
Exit onto Route 27. Stay on Route 27 for approximately 23 miles until you see the exit for Route 1 towards Liberia.
Continue on Route 1 for about 70 miles. Then take the exit towards Route 18 and follow this road for about 30 miles until you reach Nicoya.
From Nicoya, follow Route 150 towards Samara. This will take about 1.5 hours.

The total travel time should be about 4 to 5 hours. However, traffic here is completely unpredictable. We have experienced this route taking as little as 4 hours and as long as 6 hours during peak times.

I put these directions into Google Maps for you if you need them.

Things to Know When Driving in Costa Rica

Here are some things you should know before getting on the road in Costa Rica.

Tolls

Route 27 is a toll highway. The toll booths accept US dollars or Costa Rican colones. Recently, they have also started accepting payments with credit cards. Yay! It is good to still have some cash, just in case, but you should now be fine with a credit card.

Merging

One of the scariest parts about driving on Route 27 is the merging of lanes. Most of the highway is one lane in either direction. However, there are certain parts of the highway that turn into multiple lanes.

This is great for passing slower cars and trucks. The downside is that the signs for remerging are often very last minute. So, keep an eye out for signs and try to follow what the drivers in front of you are doing.

Traffic

This is one of the most widely driven routes in the country, so the traffic can get very bad depending on the time of the day and time of year. For example, during rush hour, the area around San Jose is very congested.

On weekends, Samara is a popular beach destination for people living in San Jose, so this route gets busy. To combat that, we suggest driving in the middle of the day on a weekday if possible. Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings will be notoriously bad traffic times from San Jose to Samara.

Additionally, Sunday afternoons are the worst time to head from Samara back towards San Jose.

Addresses

I know it sounds crazy, but there are no addresses in Costa Rica. Instead, you will need to put in the name of the place you are intending to go to in your GPS. For example, you might enter your hotel name, an Airbnb name, a beach name, etc.

Getting Gasoline

Gas stations in Costa Rica are full-service. This means you will stay in your car and an employee will come fill your gas tank for you.

Also, all gas stations in Costa Rica are government-regulated. In other words, you do not need to drive around looking for the lowest gas prices.

The price will be the same no matter where you go. There are several gas stations along this route, so you should have no problem finding a spot to fill up.

Bathroom Stops

Gas stations are often the best places to stop to use the bathroom. If the restroom at a gas station is locked, just ask the attendant for a key.

Food Stops

For snacks, I suggest just stopping at any gas station. Most bigger gas stations have a convenience store inside.
For a meal, there are several roadside places along the drive. However, most of them are places for a sit-down meal.
For a quick fast food stop we suggest Plaza Limonal. You will pas it on the right on Route 1 just before you enter the roundabout to make a right towards the Nicoya Peninsula. I marked it on Google Maps here. In this plaza there is a Taco Bell, Papa Johns, and a Subway.
If you would like a longer food break, we highly recommend Bernina Artisan Foods. This is located on a side road just before you pass through the town of Nicoya. It is one of the best culinary experiences you can have in Costa Rica.

Safety

Be careful about leaving your car unattended. Petty theft can sometimes happen, and a car filled with suitcases that is left alone will be a prime target.

If we stop, we like to always make sure that our vehicle is within view. Other than that, you should feel pretty safe!

Sights Along the Way

There are a few things you can see along the way.

However, it is best to never leave your luggage unattended in your car here. Petty theft is by far the most common crime in this country and a car with nobody around is often a prime target.

Barra Honda National Park: This national park is located in Nicoya, but it is about a 20 minute detour to get to. This is one of the coolest national parks in the country (in my opinion). There are caves here that you can climb down into with a park ranger. Check out our complete guide to visiting the park.
Belen Waterfall: This waterfall is on a side street just after you turn onto Route 150. It is somewhat remote so be careful about leaving your car unattended. I marked it on Google Maps here.

You could also easily visit both of these places as a day trip once you are in Samara.

Book Your Rental Car Here

Option #2: Private Shuttle to Samara

A private shuttle is typically an air-conditioned and comfortable van driven by an experienced driver. This van is designated only for you and your group.

In other words, a private shuttle or transfer is a great way to sit back and comfortably get to your destination without the stress of driving and without having to deal with any other passengers.

Pros of a Private Shuttle

Private Transportation: You are alone and don’t need to deal with other passengers.
Flexible Scheduling: You can plan your shuttle for whenever you arrive. Typically, you will give your shuttle driver your flight information so they can be waiting for you when you exit the airport.
Door to Door Service: Since the shuttle is just for your group, the driver can pick you up directly from the airport or your hotel and drop you off directly at your next destination.

Cons of a Private Shuttle

Cost: It can be expensive to take a private shuttle. Typically, you pay for the shuttle, not per person. So, if you are a group of people, then a private shuttle is a good option. But, if you are one or two people traveling together, a shared shuttle will likely be more cost-effective.

You Can Book Your Private Shuttle Here

Option #3: Shared Shuttle to Samara

Shared shuttles are a cost-effective and comfortable way to travel. They operate from the San Jose airport and nearby hotels.

This option is more affordable than a private shuttle but offers less flexibility in terms of departure times and routes.

We suggest this option if you are a solo traveler or a couple.

⤷ Check Availability and Book Your Shuttle from San Jose International Airport

⤷ Check Availability and Book Your Shuttle from San Jose Area Hotels

Option #4: Public Bus to Samara

Taking a public bus is the most economical way to get from San Jose to Samara. This option is ideal for budget travelers who don’t mind a bit of adventure.

The biggest downsides to the public bus is that it only operates once a day and the terminal is located in the center of downtown San Jose. That means you will need to take a taxi from the airport (please read this before doing that) to the downtown area.

Note: The previous company that drove this route is no longer operating. As of 2025, the route is run by the company Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste (Tig). If you find info online about this route from before 2025, it is likely not correct.

The bus departs daily at 11:59 AM
The bus costs ₡4,540 per way (about 9 US dollars)
I marked the terminal on Google Maps here
You can now book your tickets online. Yay! Do that here.

Travel Tip: Keep an eye on your belongings, especially at the bus terminals and during stops. I suggest putting your large luggage under the bus and keeping personal items with you. I have heard of people putting bags above the seat on these buses, falling asleep, and waking up to find all of their stuff stolen.

In Samara, the bus stops right in the center of town. You can then walk or take a taxi to your hotel.

Get More Info on the Tig Website

Option #5: Domestic Flight to Nosara and Taxi to Samara

If you prefer to travel quickly and enjoy aerial views of Costa Rica, a domestic flight is an excellent option.

Next to the San Jose International Airport, there is a domestic terminal. From here, you can fly with Sansa Airlines to the small beach town of Nosara (just north of Samara). You can then take a taxi from Nosara down to Samara.

The planes are small, typically seating around 12 passengers, and offer stunning views of the coastline and mountains.

Prices vary depending on the season and how far in advance you book, typically ranging from $70 to $150 one-way.

Travel Time and Comfort

The flight duration to the Nosara Airport is approximately 30 minutes. From Nosara, you can get a taxi to Samara, which is about an hour’s drive. So, it might be a pricey taxi journey. However, this is the fastest transportation option and the views are amazing.

Our Opinion on Domestic Flights

We love domestic flights in Costa Rica because they cut your travel time in half and allow you to enjoy some amazing views of the country. Plus, it is a comfortable and easy way to travel.

However, I wouldn’t always recommend this travel method. For starters, it is often the most expensive transportation method because not only are you paying for the flight, but you also have to then pay for a taxi once in Nosara to get to Samara.

Also, I do not recommend this if small planes scare you. These are typically 12-seater planes.

The other things to keep in mind about domestic flights is that they can be cancelled depending on the weather. This typically happens in late December or January when it is very windy near the San Jose Airport, or it can also happen during the rainy season if there is an especially big storm.

Check Available Flights Here

Our Opinion on Getting from San Jose to Samara

Typically, we suggest you opt to rent a car when traveling from San Jose to Samara. This gives you the most flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Reserve Your Rental Car with 10% Discount

However, there are certain times when renting a car might not be ideal. For example, if you’re on a tight budget, if you’re staying at a resort where you won’t need a car, or if you’re nervous about driving in Costa Rica.

For those on a very tight budget, the public bus is the cheapest option. However, if you’re arriving at the San Jose airport, you’ll need to take a taxi downtown to the bus terminal. Considering this cost, it might be more economical to take a shared shuttle that picks you up directly from the airport.

If you’re staying at a resort, a shared or private shuttle is a convenient option.

Alternatively, there are plenty of excursion companies in Samara offering day trips with transportation included. This way, you can enjoy activities like guided tours in Barra Honda National Park or boat trips without needing a rental car.

If you have any questions about planning your trip to Samara, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below. We are always happy to help you plan!

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