There is also daily public bus service direct from San Jose to Samara and return. It is quite rustic but very cheap, just $8. The trip takes about 5hours. From the terminal you also will be picked up by the hotel car.
A taxi would bring you to Samara in about four hours and half with a cost of about $150

Also you can rent a car at the airport, where various companies are operating. It this case you would leave San Jose or the airport and go on the Panamerican Hayway, heading north to Nicaragua, or just follow signs pointing to Liberia. After about 2 hours drive, at Sardinal you turn off left on a sign indicating Puente de Amistad (the newly opened bridge over the Tempisque River). After having crossed the river Tempisque (on the ferry boat, which takes 15 min.) you follow to the town of Nicoya, and from there it is another 30 minutes or 30 kilometers drive into Samara.

The airport of City of Liberia has recently opened his international service, receiving flights from USA and Canada. This is a very good alternative to the San Jose International airport, because it is only one hour and a half cardrive from Sámara.

In April 2003 the bridge over the Tempisque opened its service, now avoiding loosing time to wait for the ferry. You can reach Samara now from San Jose in 3 hours.