Tamarindo (Guanacaste) → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)
Next: pick vehicle, date, passengers & pickup details
A private shuttle from Tamarindo to Sámara with Ruta Pacifico costs $215 per vehicle for 1–5 passengers, $255 per vehicle for 6–9 passengers and $340 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 Tamarindo, 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 September 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: Tamarindo to Sámara
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 | $215 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: SámaraWhat to expect, the ride from Tamarindo, local tips and related routes
About Sámara
Sámara is a relaxed village on a wide, reef-protected bay whose calm water makes it one of the safest swimming beaches in Guanacaste. Palm-lined, walkable and unhurried, it draws families, language students and long-stay travellers. Playa Carrillo, ten minutes south, is a postcard crescent of white sand with almost nothing on it.
It is the beach town for people who found Tamarindo too busy.
The ride from Tamarindo
Liberia Airport to Sámara is about 2 hours on paved road through Santa Cruz and Nicoya; Carrillo adds ten minutes. From Nosara it is 45 minutes to an hour, partly gravel. Your driver takes you to your hotel or house door in Sámara or along the Carrillo road.
Good to know before you arrive
- Swim anywhere in the bay; the reef keeps the waves small year-round.
- Playa Carrillo has no vendors or shade structures, so bring water and an umbrella.
- Sámara's Saturday farmers' market is worth a visit for fruit and baked goods.
- Kayak to Isla Chora at the south end of the bay for snorkelling.
Related private shuttles
- Return trip: Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → Tamarindo (Guanacaste)from $215
- LIR - Liberia Int. Airport → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $210
- SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $360
- Tamarindo (Guanacaste) → LIR - Liberia Int. Airportfrom $130
- Tamarindo (Guanacaste) → SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airportfrom $350
- La Fortuna (Arenal) → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $369
- Manuel Antonio / Quepos → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $410
- Monteverde (Cloud Forest) → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $285
- Tamarindo (Guanacaste) → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $309
Questions about Tamarindo to SámaraDuration, price, meeting point, stops, child seats, delays and cancellations
- How long does the private shuttle from Tamarindo to Sámara 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 Tamarindo to Sámara cost?
- $215 for 1 to 5 passengers, $255 for 6 to 9 passengers and $340 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 Tamarindo?
- At the door of your hotel, villa or rental in Tamarindo, 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 Tamarindo to Sámara?
- 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 Sámara?
- 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 Tamarindo to Sámara 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.