How to Get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio: All Options

Are you looking for the best ways to get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica? Manuel Antonio National Park is the best place to see sloths and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, so don’t miss it on your Costa Rica Itinerary.

Getting to Manuel Antonio may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Manuel Antonio by shared and private transfer, taxi, bus, or rental car.

In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio, including the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and the cost of a taxi or bus ticket.

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How far is Manuel Antonio from San Jose?

The distance between San Jose and Manuel Antonio is about 170 km, which is 3-5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

Getting from San Jose to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

There are several ways to get to Manuel Antonio from San Jose: by car (3 hours), by bus (4-4.5 hours), and by plane (30 minutes).

Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.

Important note
Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Tuesdays!

Read our → Manuel Antonio National Park Guide

How to Get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio by Flight

Unfortunately, there is no airport in Manuel Antonio. The nearest airport to Manuel Antonio is La Managua Airport (airport code XQP) in Quepos, which is about a 20-minute drive away. Book a minivan from Quepos Airport to Manuel Antonio.

The airfare and airport transfers make this one of the most expensive options to get to Manuel Antonio.

Sansa Airlines operates several daily flights from San Jose to Quepos. The flight takes just 30 minutes, and plane tickets start from 82 USD (without luggage) per person for one way.

However, most travelers to Costa Rica arrive in San Jose at Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code SJO). From Juan Santamaria Airport, you can reach Manuel Antonio by car, bus, taxi, private or shared shuttle.

TIP
Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights to San Jose, Costa Rica.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio National Park

San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Taxi, Private Transfer

One of the most convenient and fastest ways to get to Manuel Antonio is by taxi. The journey time is 3 hours, depending on traffic.

A taxi from San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio costs between 150-180 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable!

TIP
The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!

Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from the airport to Manuel Antonio (any hotel) for 216 USD, and 5 passengers are allowed.

Day Trip from San Jose to Manuel Antonio National Park

A day trip to Manuel Antonio is a great way to see the best of the coastal town if you have limited time in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio is the most visited place in the country, so even if you can only take a short visit, it’s still worth it.

Take a day trip to Manuel Antonio and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Visit one of the best national parks in Costa Rica and see the Mirador de Jaco and the Crocodile Bridge.

The tour price includes round-trip transportation, a professional bilingual guide, the entrance fee to Manuel Antonio National Park, breakfast, and lunch.

Book a day tour to Manuel Antonio via Viator or GetYourGuide.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio by Shuttle Minivan/Bus

One of the best and most popular ways to get to Manuel Antonio is by air-conditioned minivan, which allows 20 kg of bag and hand luggage per passenger.

A shuttle minivan from San Jose Airport/City to Manuel Antonio (any hotel) starts from 56 USD. The journey time is 3.5-4.5 hours, depending on traffic.

Get Minivan Tickets here.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio by Car

The easiest way to get to Manuel Antonio is by car. You can easily rent a car at San Jose International Airport or pick up your pre-booked car. We did our 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

The best way to explore Costa Rica is by renting a car. Although public transport is cheap, travel time is long, and some places are not accessible by bus. Renting a car in Costa Rica provides the freedom to explore at your own pace and visit hidden gems or get off the beaten path.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio Driving

We arrived in Manuel Antonio by car. The roads are in good condition and easy to drive. From San Jose, take Road 27 towards Jaco, stop at the famous Crocodile Bridge on the way, then continue on Road 34 to Quepos. You can reach Manuel Antonio in about 3 hours, depending on traffic (which can be chaotic).

There is a toll on this route. As these are small tolls (around 3-4 USD), we recommend you bring local money.

You don’t need a 4×4, but a car with higher ground clearance from the ground is worth booking for your Costa Rica road trip. Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.

Good to know
It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). So we don’t recommend driving at night!

Recommended post → How to Renting a Car in Costa Rica

San Jose to Manuel Antonio by Bus

The cheapest way to get to Manuel Antonio is by bus. If you don’t want to rent a car or cannot drive, you can take a Tracopa bus from San Jose to Manuel Antonio. The direct bus journey takes about 4-4.5 hours.

Be sure to travel the direct bus and not the colectivo, which can take up to 2 hours longer due to the multiple stops.

The buses depart from Tracopa Bus Terminal to Manuel Antonio, and the bus ticket costs around 5600 CRC (11 USD). You can purchase tickets at the bus terminal, so arrive at least 30 minutes before departure or buy your bus ticket one day in advance.

Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur on public transport!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

San Jose to Manuel Antonio Bus Schedule

Tracopa’s public buses run frequently to Manuel Antonio:

06:00
06:30
06:45
08:45
09:00
10:30
11:30
12:00
13:15
14:30
16:00
16:45
17:00
19:30

But bus timetables are subject to change! So we recommend booking online or asking locals for the current schedule.

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio

Most people only take a day trip to the national park from San Jose, Uvita, or Jaco. But if you have more time, spend 1-2 days in Manuel Antonio or Quepos and explore the nearby attractions.

Although Manuel Antonio and Quepos are small towns, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Manuel Antonio

Luxury: Makanda by The Sea Hotel
Mid-Range: Hotel San Bada Resort & Spa
Budget: Jungle Beach Hotel

more hotels in manuel antonio

Alternatively, you can stay in Uvita, where accommodation is cheaper and about a 1 hour drive from Manuel Antonio National Park.

We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Uvita.

More Travel Guides about Costa Rica

We hope our post on how to get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio will help you plan your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

How to Get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio: All Options