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Planning a trip in a few weeks to Samara. Considering flying Nature Air to either Punta Islita or Nosara and then taking taxi to Samara. Wondering which route would be better during the rainy season. Or if it is too sketchy during the rainy season, should I forget it and do it during the dry season? Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Do not fly into Punta Islita. That airport is basically for one resort and there are really no taxis or anything else there. Also, the road from Punta Islita would be almost impassable during the rainy season without a 4X4 with a winch and snorkel. The resort is simply beautiful but is for sure in the middle of nowhere.

Nosara would be a better option as it is a larger town (than Punta Islita...still tiny) with taxis and the road from Nosara to Samara isn't as bad as roads to/from Punta Islita. The road between Nosara and Samara is a dirt road with significant holes but any 4X4 should be able to handle it.

It will take at least an hour (and perhaps up to 2) to get from Nosara to Samara so won't be a cheap taxi ride. However, it is probably still cheaper to fly there and do the taxi than driving (either rental or hired driver) from San Jose with just one person. If you have 2-3 people, hiring a driver from San Jose might be less expensive.

My recommendation is go in the dry season unless you are a surfer then the rainy season is usually best for larger waves. But if you are going for surf, the beaches between Nosara and Samara are usually better e.g. around Playa Guiones. This would also save time/money on transport if you fly in to Nosara.

Keep in mind that if you do fly, Nature Air (or Sansa) will not guarantee your surf board will get there. They also have significant charges for overweight bags so pack light. Most surfers opt for ground transport for these reasons. The bus is how most surfers arrive in the area and is a reliable and inexpensive option but would be a LONG ride from San Jose, in the 6-8 hour range.

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I have driven from San Jose to Playa Flamingo, then over to Tamarindo and finally down to Samara going thru Nicoya. The roads are decent but mostly 2 lanes so you need to pay attention while driving but no big deal. Make sure you have a decent car so I would suggest renting one from one of the majors but expect sticker shock with the amount they will charge you for mandatory insurance that is usually not listed on the websites. If you have insurance you purchased else where they do not care and will not accept against what they offer. Having a car is by far the best bet for being in that area and not needing to rely on anyone else for transportation.

Thanks for the help! I am also considering Tamagringo, which would be easier but not my preferred destination. I haven't been there for quite some time and may revisit. There's always Jaco...