Manuel Antonio sits on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, about 165 km from San José. Here are all the ways to get there in 2026, with times and costs.

By car (rental)

The most flexible option. From San José (SJO) it’s about a 2.5–3 hour drive on mostly paved roads. A small SUV is ideal. There’s no official park parking — use private lots near the entrance (₡4,000–₡5,000/day) and ignore people flagging you down to overcharge.

By private or shared shuttle

Door-to-door air-conditioned shuttles run from San José and other tourist hubs. Shared shuttles cost roughly $45–$60 per person; private transfers run $160–$300 depending on group size. The most comfortable hassle-free option.

By public bus

Direct buses from San José to Quepos/Manuel Antonio take about 2.5–4 hours and cost $8–$10. Affordable but slower and with fixed schedules. Get off at Manuel Antonio beach, a short walk from the park entrance.

By domestic flight

The fastest option: San José (SJO) to Quepos (XQP) in about 30 minutes, with several daily flights ($75–$95). From Quepos it’s a short 10-minute taxi to Manuel Antonio.

Getting around once you’re there

A local bus runs between Quepos and Manuel Antonio every ~15 minutes for under $1, and taxis are $8–$10 per ride.

Tip: transport to the park is included on our tours

Our guided tours, led by Jason Solano Zamora, include one-way hotel transport from Manuel Antonio and Quepos — so once you’re in the area, we handle getting you to the park. Read the full visitor guide for hours, tickets and rules.