Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → Flamingo (Guanacaste)
Next: pick vehicle, date, passengers & pickup details
A private shuttle from Sámara to Flamingo with Ruta Pacifico costs $217 per vehicle for 1–5 passengers, $302 per vehicle for 6–9 passengers and $404 per vehicle for 10–12 passengers, USD, 13% VAT included. The drive takes about 3 hours, door to door. Pickup is at the door of your hotel, villa or rental in Sámara, at the time you choose. The price is the same any day or hour of the year and includes the driver, fuel, tolls, WiFi, bottled water and child seats. Book online; nothing is paid at pickup.
Prices updated August 2026
Choose vehicle & trip details
Pick the vehicle for your group, the date and time, and tell us where to meet you.
Private shuttle vs. shared shuttle, taxi and rental car: Sámara to Flamingo
How the four ways of making this trip compare. Only the private shuttle column is a price we publish and guarantee.
| Criterion | Private shuttle (this page) | Shared shuttle | Taxi / ride-hailing | Rental car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $217 per vehicle (1–5 passengers), fixed and published | Per seat: the total grows with every passenger | Metered or negotiated at the curb; not fixed | Daily rate plus insurance, fuel, deposit and parking |
| Departure time | Your time, 24/7, no night surcharge | Fixed timetable | On availability | Yours |
| Route | Direct, door to door | Several hotel stops or a change of van at a hub | Direct | Self-drive: navigation and road conditions are on you |
| Who is on board | Only your group | Other travellers | Only your group | Only your group |
| Flight tracking | Included | Not usually | No | Not applicable |
| Child seats | Free, installed before pickup | Varies | Rarely available | Daily surcharge |
Travel notes: FlamingoWhat to expect, the ride from Sámara, local tips and related routes
About Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is a curve of pale sand between two headlands, with a modern marina, some of Guanacaste's best sport fishing and catamaran sunset sails leaving daily. The beach is calmer than Tamarindo, the hillside villas have wide Pacific views, and Brasilito, Potrero and Conchal are all within a ten-minute drive.
It is the choice for travellers who want a quieter base with boats, snorkelling and easy access to Reserva Conchal and Las Catalinas.
The ride from Sámara
From Liberia Airport the drive is about 1 hour along Route 21 through Belén and Huacas, then north past Brasilito. Tamarindo is 25 minutes away, Playas del Coco about 50 minutes, and the road is paved to the marina. Villa addresses on the hill can be tricky for GPS; send your rental's name or coordinates when booking and the driver will bring you to the gate.
Good to know before you arrive
- Morning departures are best for fishing and diving trips; the wind picks up after lunch.
- Brasilito, five minutes south, has the local sodas for inexpensive lunches.
- The catamaran sunset sails leave from the beach or marina around 2 pm and include snorkelling.
- Flamingo's beach is swimmable most days; Potrero is even calmer for small children.
Related private shuttles
- Return trip: Flamingo (Guanacaste) → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $217
- LIR - Liberia Int. Airport → Flamingo (Guanacaste)from $130
- SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport → Flamingo (Guanacaste)from $350
- Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → LIR - Liberia Int. Airportfrom $210
- Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airportfrom $360
- La Fortuna (Arenal) → Flamingo (Guanacaste)from $309
- Manuel Antonio / Quepos → Flamingo (Guanacaste)from $415
- Monteverde (Cloud Forest) → Flamingo (Guanacaste)from $275
- Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $369
Questions about Sámara to FlamingoDuration, price, meeting point, stops, child seats, delays and cancellations
- How long does the private shuttle from Sámara to Flamingo take?
- About 3 hours door to door. That is a realistic figure for Costa Rican roads, not the fastest time a map app shows. The service is direct, with no other passengers, so there are no detours to drop anyone else off.
- How much does a private shuttle from Sámara to Flamingo cost?
- $217 for 1 to 5 passengers, $302 for 6 to 9 passengers and $404 for 10 to 12 passengers, per vehicle. The price is per vehicle, not per person, and includes the driver, fuel, tolls and 13% VAT. There is nothing to pay at pickup.
- Do you have availability between December 20 and January 2?
- Yes, for groups of 1 to 5 passengers. Every vehicle for 6 or more passengers is already fully booked for travel dates between December 20 and January 2, on every route, and we never overbook: each confirmed booking has its own vehicle and driver assigned. Our 1 – 5 passenger vans still have dates open, but demand for those days is very high, so book as early as you can. Outside that window every vehicle size is available as usual.
- Where does the driver pick me up in Sámara?
- At the door of your hotel, villa or rental in Sámara, at the time you choose. Give us the property name or a map pin when you book and the driver comes to the entrance.
- Can we stop along the way from Sámara to Flamingo?
- Yes. Short stops for food, a supermarket, an ATM or photos are part of the service. Longer detours, such as a waterfall or a second town, are quoted in advance so there are no surprises.
- Do you have child seats for the trip to Flamingo?
- Yes, and they are free. Costa Rican law requires a car seat or booster for children under 12 or shorter than 1.45 m (4 ft 9 in), so tell us the ages when you book and the right seats are installed before pickup.
- Can I travel from Sámara to Flamingo at night or very early?
- Yes. We run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no night surcharge. Early departures for morning flights and late arrivals are routine.
- What is the cancellation policy for this shuttle?
- Cancel more than 48 hours before pickup for a full refund minus the 13% tax. Within 48 hours the trip is non-refundable. Changes to date, time or address are free up to 48 hours before, subject to availability.