Getting to Manuel Antonio and Getting Around
Most travelers reach Manuel Antonio from San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), either by road (roughly 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic) or on a short domestic flight to Quepos. Once you’re here, a local bus, taxis and your own feet cover the 7 km between Quepos and the national park. There’s no parking at the park itself, so plan how you’ll reach the entrance.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Travel times are estimates; schedules and prices change, so check the official links below.
Travel times at a glance (estimates)
- San José airport (SJO) to Manuel Antonio by road: about 175 km; roughly 3 to 4 hours, longer on Friday afternoons, holidays and in heavy rain.
- Liberia airport (LIR) to Manuel Antonio by road: about 267 km; roughly 4.5 to 5 hours.
- Flight San José to Quepos: about 25 to 30 minutes in the air, plus a short drive from the Quepos airstrip.
- Public bus San José to Manuel Antonio: roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Quepos to the park entrance: about 7 km along Route 618; around 25 minutes by local bus with stops, longer in high-season traffic.
All times are estimates from route planners and travel sources. Road, weather and traffic conditions vary a lot.
Which airport to fly into
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), San José
The closest international airport to Manuel Antonio and the usual choice. It’s in Alajuela, just outside San José, and is operated by Aeris. From here you drive, take a transfer or shuttle, catch a bus from San José, or connect to a domestic flight to Quepos.
Guanacaste Airport (LIR), Liberia
Costa Rica’s second international airport, in the northwest (official site). It works if you’re combining Manuel Antonio with the Guanacaste beaches, but it’s a long drive: roughly 4.5 to 5 hours. If you’re coming only to Manuel Antonio, SJO is usually simpler.
Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP)
A small domestic airstrip just outside Quepos. Scheduled domestic flights connect it with San José (the flight takes about 25 to 30 minutes), including on SANSA. Luggage limits on small planes can be tight, so check your airline’s allowance before you pack. From the airstrip it’s a short taxi or transfer ride into Quepos and up to Manuel Antonio.
Book through ECOTICA: our concierge page links to a partner air charter service from San José to Quepos, a flight of about 25 minutes, with fares from US$110 per person at the time of writing.
Driving from San José
The usual route, as described by Visit Costa Rica: from San José take Route 27 west toward Caldera, then Route 34 (the Costanera Sur) south along the coast toward Jacó, and continue about 104 km to Quepos. From Quepos, follow Route 618 up the hill into Manuel Antonio.
Tips for the drive
- Route 27 is a toll road.
- Leave early. Traffic leaving San José and on Friday afternoons adds a lot of time.
- Avoid driving the last stretch at night if you can. The Costanera is well used, but the hill road into Manuel Antonio is narrow, winding and busy with pedestrians.
- In the green season, heavy afternoon rain slows everything. Plan for daylight.
- Use a navigation app and check road conditions before you set out.
Private transfer with ECOTICA
Book through ECOTICA: private transfers between San José and Manuel Antonio cost US$195. Our concierge page lists this price for groups of up to seven. For a larger group, contact us and we can arrange a custom transfer. Send your flight details through the airport transportation form and we’ll confirm.
Buses and shared shuttles
Public bus from San José (TRACOPA)
TRACOPA runs buses from its San José terminal to Manuel Antonio (via Route 27) several times a day, plus a slower route to Quepos. It’s by far the cheapest option. Timetables change, so check TRACOPA’s routes and schedules before you travel, and allow roughly 3.5 to 4 hours.
- Buses leave from TRACOPA’s terminal in San José, not from the airport. From SJO you’ll need a taxi or other transport to the terminal.
- In busy periods, buy tickets in advance.
- Keep valuables with you, not in the overhead rack.
Shared tourist shuttles
Several companies run shared door-to-door minivans between San José (and the airport) and Manuel Antonio, as well as other tourist towns. They cost more than the bus and less than a private transfer. Book ahead and confirm the pickup point and time the day before.
Getting around Quepos and Manuel Antonio
Distances here are short: Route 618, the road from the edge of Quepos to the park entrance, is only about 6.3 km. The challenge is that it’s steep, winding and the only road, so traffic sets the pace.
Local bus
A public bus runs between the Quepos bus terminal and the park end of Manuel Antonio throughout the day, stopping along Route 618. Flag it down at a stop and pay the driver in colones, in cash. It’s the cheapest way to reach the park and avoids the parking problem entirely.
Taxis
Licensed taxis in Costa Rica are red (orange for airport taxis) with a yellow triangle on the door showing the license number. By law they should use the meter, called the “maría”. For longer trips, agree the fare before you set off. Your hotel can call one for you.
Walking
Fine for short hops in daylight between places along the road or down to the beach. The road is narrow with limited room at the edges, so wear something light-colored after dark and take extra care on bends.
Rental car
Useful if you want day trips (Nauyaca Waterfalls, Dominical, Jacó) but not needed for the park or Quepos. Check that your hotel has parking.
Private driver or Jeep
Book through ECOTICA: a private 4×4 Jeep with a local driver-guide for up to five guests, half or full day. See concierge services.
Reaching the national park entrance
- There’s no parking in the park. SINAC says so plainly. Private lots near the entrance charge a fee.
- The road is busy in high season. SINAC warns the one road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio gets congested. Leave early for a 7:00 a.m. entry.
- Bus, taxi or tour pickup is usually easiest. Guided park tours booked through ECOTICA can include transport; ask when you book.
- Closed Tuesdays. Tickets online only. Full details in our park visitor guide.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Related guides
- Quepos and Manuel Antonio: what’s where: how the town, the marina and the hill road fit together.
- Sample itineraries: how to fit travel days into a trip.
- Where to stay in Manuel Antonio: town, hill road or near the park.
Back to the Manuel Antonio & Quepos Travel Guide.
Sources
- Aeris – Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
- Guanacaste Airport (LIR), Liberia – official site
- SANSA Airlines – official site
- Wikipedia – Quepos La Managua Airport
- TRACOPA – Rutas y horarios (San José–Manuel Antonio / Quepos)
- Visit Costa Rica (ICT) – Manuel Antonio National Park
- kimkim – San José to Manuel Antonio: routes and travel advice
- Rome2Rio – Liberia Airport (LIR) to Manuel Antonio
- Wikipedia – National Route 618 (Costa Rica)
- Along Dusty Roads – How to get from Quepos to Manuel Antonio by bus
- Frommer’s – What to know about Costa Rica’s red taxis
- SINAC – Manuel Antonio National Park (official page, English)
- ECOTICA – Concierge Services (airport transport, private 4×4 Jeep, air charter)
Last reviewed: September 2026. Estimates are labeled as such; always check operators for current schedules and prices.
