Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to Sámara
Going to the calm, family-friendly bay of Sámara? We pick you up at your hotel in La Fortuna and drive you around Lake Arenal and across the Nicoya Peninsula to your hotel. One closed price for the whole vehicle, taxes included.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from La Fortuna to Sámara
Shared shuttles run to a timetable and stop at several hotels. With us the van is booked for your party only: you set the departure time from La Fortuna, the driver waits while you check out, and the drive to Sámara goes door to door.
What you see is what you pay, per vehicle: fuel, tolls, taxes, insurance, water, WiFi and child seats are all in the price. Standard is the direct trip; VIP adds $80 per vehicle and turns the drive into a day with stops.
Your destination
Arriving in Sámara
Sámara is a relaxed beach village on the Pacific side of the Nicoya Peninsula, set on a wide bay protected by an offshore reef. The reef keeps the water calm for much of the year, which makes Sámara one of the best beaches in Guanacaste for families, swimmers and beginner surfers, with Isla Chora sitting in the middle of the bay.
The village has a lively little centre with restaurants, surf schools and shops right by the beach, and quieter areas to the south towards Playa Carrillo. Among the places we drive to are Hotel Villas Playa Sámara and Samara Treehouse Inn.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 4 h 45 min of driving ahead, most travellers leave La Fortuna in the morning so they arrive in daylight.
In Sámara
What to do in Sámara
Kayak to Isla Chora
A short paddle across the calm bay to the small island.
Learn to surf
Gentle waves inside the reef make Sámara a classic place for first lessons.
Playa Carrillo
A palm-lined beach just south of the village, ideal for a quiet afternoon.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 210 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 4 h 45 min without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- Route 142 around Lake Arenal to Cañas, Route 1, Route 18 over the Tempisque bridge, then Nicoya peninsula roads
- Last stretch
- From Nicoya, the paved road over the hills down to Sámara
Beyond the bridge the road runs through the town of Nicoya and then out towards the Pacific on smaller roads, through hills of dry forest and cattle farms. This is the part of the trip where the time goes, because the last stretch is slower than the distance suggests.
From the town of Nicoya a paved road crosses the hills of the peninsula and drops down to the coast at Sámara, with the bay appearing below in the final kilometres.
Along the way
What you'll see between La Fortuna and Sámara
From the volcano to Sámara, the view changes along the way:
The Tempisque bridge
The long bridge over the Tempisque River, the gateway to the Nicoya Peninsula, with wide views of the river and its wetlands.
The town of Nicoya
One of the oldest towns in Costa Rica, with a whitewashed colonial church on its main square.
The Sámara viewpoint
As the road drops to the coast, the whole bay opens below you, with the reef line and Isla Chora.
Playa Carrillo
The palm-lined beach just south of Sámara, often almost empty.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Tropical Experts VIP adds $80 per vehicle and gives you one to two hours of stops, a bilingual driver acting as guide, a welcome kit (local beers, soft drinks and Costa Rican snacks) and sparkling water. We offer VIP stops on every route; on this drive these are the ones we suggest:
Lake Arenal views
Short stops along the north shore of the lake when the clouds lift and the volcano shows across the water.
Café y Macadamia
A restaurant with a view over Lake Arenal, good for a coffee or a late breakfast.
Wildlife stops
When coatis, monkeys or birds appear by the lake road, we pull over so you can see them.
Nicoya's colonial church
A short walk around the main square of Nicoya and its whitewashed colonial church, right on the way.
If one or two hours are not enough, add extra hours at $35 each (maximum 4). Without VIP, the driver still stops for restrooms or a snack when you ask.
Before you travel
Road conditions and 2026 roadworks
On the peninsula the main roads are paved, but some of the access roads to the beaches are gravel, dusty in the dry season and muddy in the wet one. All our vehicles drive gravel roads; in the rainy season, river crossings and potholes can slow the last stretch.
The road from Nicoya to Sámara is paved and in reasonable condition, which makes Sámara one of the easier beach destinations on the peninsula. Some streets and lanes in and around the village are gravel.
And if a road closure or extreme weather makes the transfer impossible, our terms let you choose: a new date or your money back in full.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Bring cash in colones for small purchases on arrival; beach towns on the peninsula have fewer ATMs.
- If you have small children, Sámara's calm water is ideal; ask locally about the tides before swimming far out.
- Kayaking to Isla Chora is a classic first-day plan on a calm morning.
- Add your WhatsApp number when you book; it is the quickest way for the driver to reach you on the day.
Fares
Prices for this route
Per vehicle, in US dollars, taxes included.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large bags | Standard | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hyundai Staria1–5 passengers |
1–5 | 5 | $370 | $450 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $415 | $495 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $500 | $580 |
Extra hour of stops: $35, up to 4. Hotels with a surcharge are listed below.
Every private transfer
What's included
- Pickup at your door at the time agreed when you book
- A private vehicle for your group only, door to door
- Professional driver and full-cover insurance
- Fuel, tolls and taxes (VAT) — nothing to pay the driver
- Child seats at no cost, on request
- Free cancellation up to 48 h before pickup
Google reviews
What travellers say
Short excerpts from real Google reviews of Tropical Experts Costa Rica.
“The van was on time, assisted us with our luggage… His English is extremely good… you will be taken care of to the highest regard.”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: La Fortuna → Sámara
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to Sámara?
Approximately 4 h 45 min of driving according to our fare table, for about 210 km. Stops, rain and traffic come on top of that; with VIP, add the one to two hours of sightseeing stops.
How much is a private shuttle from La Fortuna to Sámara?
$370 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $415 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $500 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Do you take a ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula?
Not on this route: from Arenal we cross to the peninsula by road, over the Tempisque bridge on Route 18. It is the most direct way from the north.
Is the road to Sámara paved?
Yes, the main road from Nicoya to Sámara is paved. Some local streets are gravel, and all our vehicles drive them.
Is Sámara good for families?
It is one of the calmest bays in Guanacaste thanks to the offshore reef, so it is popular with families. Conditions change with tides and seasons; check locally before swimming.
Can you drop us at Playa Carrillo instead of Sámara?
Yes. Carrillo is a few minutes south of Sámara along the coast road. Give us the address when you book and we confirm the fare and the time.
Pick-up and drop-off
Hotels we pick up from in La Fortuna
Any hotel in the La Fortuna area, door to door. A few examples, plus every hotel with a surcharge:
Drop-off and pickup
Hotels we drive to in Sámara
These are some of the hotels in Sámara that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Hotel Villas Playa Sámara
- Samara Treehouse Inn
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