Travel from Liberia to ?

Hey,
I found a really great deal on flights to Liberia, and am flying in under a week. I want to sit on the beach, and do nothing. And eat lots of rice and beans.

I was in Costa Rica a few years ago, did the touristy stuff, and had a great time. Now I just need to relax!

I wanted to head to Samara, but it seems pretty expensive to do on your own. I had a quote for a one way taxi for $140 US, which seems a little crazy. I land at 12.30 in the afternoon, and then fly back out at 1.20 in the afternoon a week later.

It looks like it would be cheaper to get to Tamarindo, but I've read that it's super touristy. I'm pretty flexible about where to go, as long as it's nice and quiet and easy to get to.
Help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Look at a map. You can walk from the Liberia international airport to one of the nearby beaches. You'll save the cost of transport and get some exercise.

I have not been from Liberia to Samara but you could just take the public bus. There is a bus stop on the highway in front of the airport. It is a bit of a walk or a short taxi ride. Then just flag down a bus going to Nicoya. And in Nicoya take a bus to Samara. Very cheap. Get colones from the ATM at the airport as you will need them for the bus.

Is there any reason you can't take the bus?

There is really no difference between the overall touristy nature of Samara or Tamarindo, just Tamarindo is larger, has a much bigger beach, is a more a surf culture, and a has a more vibrant nightlife. If you are seeking a beach, why not Tamarindo? Basically, the entire western areas of Guanacaste and Nicoya, are geared to tourist and developed with gringo influence at every turn. A week in either place is a tad long IMO, unless you surf non stop. And if thats the case, head to Nosora area over Samara...better surf, better beaches.

You say you did all the touristy stuff? Have you been to Tenerio/Celeste, Cano Negro, Rincon, Tortuguero or Corcovado? Od did you do the Big 3, Arenal, Monteverde, and Manual Antonio, which IMO are best avoided.

I want to make sure I'm going to a nice beach. Are the ones near the airport nice?
I've done quite a bit of reading online, but it's hard to judge from what you read.

Look at a map. You can walk from the Liberia international airport to one of the nearby beaches. You'll save the cost of transport and get some exercise.

I'm traveling on my own, so was a bit wary of taking so many steps to get somewhere. Just in case I missed a bus on the way back to the airport and missed my flight or something.
I will do some further reading to see how long this will all take!
Thanks

I have not been from Liberia to Samara but you could just take the public bus. There is a bus stop on the highway in front of the airport. It is a bit of a walk or a short taxi ride. Then just flag down a bus going to Nicoya. And in Nicoya take a bus to Samara. Very cheap. Get colones from the ATM at the airport as you will need them for the bus.

I guess I'm just being a bit lazy.
I've had a really tough few months at work, and I've been pretty sick.
I literally need to lie and do nothing to try and start feeling more normal.

I traveled round the country for three weeks last time. And did a mix of the super touristy stuff and the slightly off the beaten path stuff.

I want to go back to Costa Rica again in the next few years to explore even more. But for now, I need something easy and stress free to try to get myself back to normal.

I guess you are right about Tamarindo and Samara both being geared for tourists. So maybe I will save myself the stress and take the easy option.

Is there any reason you can't take the bus?

There is really no difference between the overall touristy nature of Samara or Tamarindo, just Tamarindo is larger, has a much bigger beach, is a more a surf culture, and a has a more vibrant nightlife. If you are seeking a beach, why not Tamarindo? Basically, the entire western areas of Guanacaste and Nicoya, are geared to tourist and developed with gringo influence at every turn. A week in either place is a tad long IMO, unless you surf non stop. And if thats the case, head to Nosora area over Samara...better surf, better beaches.

You say you did all the touristy stuff? Have you been to Tenerio/Celeste, Cano Negro, Rincon, Tortuguero or Corcovado? Od did you do the Big 3, Arenal, Monteverde, and Manual Antonio, which IMO are best avoided.

They are all very nice IMO. Though Tamarindo has morphed from a dirt street sleepy surfer town to a rather trendy beachfront with nice villas, condo and sushi bars, there is a reason, and that is because it has the best swimming beach, and also offers surf at the same time, its a great walk end to end, or jog, and there is shopping and events from art galleries to plays/recitals and live music on weekends, if thats up your alley, if not, go chill.

Samara is nice as well but its smaller, and the beach life is a tad one dimensional compared Tamarindo, which is both a expat destination and locals like it to. tamarind overall is still a Tico town in feel, and besides a handful off new small developments, its really grown on as a commercial/retail scene, as most the expats live above town in the hills surrounding the town.

I used go here to surf in 2000-2004 and then started going elsewhere is got popular, then I return after a absence 2 years ago, and actually liked what is now a more fun nightlife and diverse age group too. I can fly down for a long weekend of surf, from Chicago to Liberia arriving 1pm, and be on my board at 230PM, surf 4 days and head to airport at 1PM and be back in Chicago at 8PM. For $350 airfare, a perfect escape.

There is a shuttle to and from the airport and Tamarindo for $13.

http://nicoyapeninsula.com

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