San José to Samara
235 km (146 miles)
San José
Costa Rica's capital and cultural hub — markets, museums, and the country's best food scene.
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Samara
A relaxed beach town with a calm, swimmable bay — great for families and first-time surfers.
See this destinationTransportation Options
Rental Car
From San José, take Caldera Highway (Route 27) for 88 km, Pan-American Highway (Route 1) for 49 km, then Tempisque Bridge (Route 18) for the final 49 km into Samara.
Highways used
- Rt 27 Caldera Highway 88 km · 1 hour 34 min
- Rt 1 Pan-American Highway 49 km · 1 hour 6 min
- Rt 18 Tempisque Bridge 49 km · 47 min
Note: Costa Rica traffic, weather and road conditions can greatly increase your drive time. It's always best to check with Waze before heading out. Read more on how to drive in Costa Rica.
Shuttle
Daily shuttle services available. Popular beach destination from the capital.
Note: Shuttles come in shared and private flavors with different costs and trade-offs. Read more on taking a shuttle in Costa Rica.
Book a Shuttle
Flight
Note: Domestic flights in Costa Rica are short hops on small turboprops, with strict baggage limits and early check-in. Read more on flying in Costa Rica.
Book a Flight