Posted 01/12/2024 | 1st December, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, and products that I love. These links help me earn a small commission on all qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you. Thank you!
Manuel Antonio, best known for its national park of the same name, is approximately 170km from Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose.
Although San Jose is not a favoured location amongst travellers, it is almost inevitable that you will stop there at least once whilst travelling around the beautiful country of Costa Rica.
The process of getting from San Jose to Manuel Antonio has been overly complicated, with expensive private drivers and shuttles being pushed as the only options. This couldn’t be further from the truth!
So, here are three ways to travel between San Jose and Manuel Antonio. Including the cheapest (and most efficient) way: the public bus.
Public Bus From San Jose to Manuel Antonio (Recommended)
I had heard many crazy horror stories about the buses in Costa Rica: that they were late, smelly, dirty, or simply a nightmare to organise.
When travelling between San Jose and Manuel Antonio, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In fact, this journey was one of the most straightforward I experienced in over a year of backpacking around Latin America.
First, you need to make your way to the Tracopa bus station. I recommend using an Uber, which is very affordable if you’re staying in the city centre. The bus runs ten times per day from 6 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. I recommend arriving at the bus station at least half an hour before your bus departs.
You can then purchase your tickets from the booth. Important note: You cannot pay with a card here; it has to be cash. Tickets cost 5,900 CRC per person.
The bus stopped once (around two hours in) to allow us to use the bathroom and buy some snacks.
I took the 9 am bus, which took just three and a half hours. The bus has designated stops along the route. But, if you want to get off elsewhere, just ask your driver, and he will surely accommodate.
Getting From Manuel Antonio to San Jose
If you’re heading back to the capital, you can pre-book your ticket from Manuel Antonio to San Jose on an app called PASSER. However, I found the app to be slow and confusing (and it charges a little extra), so I decided to purchase them at the bus station instead.
There is no bus station in Manuel Antonio, so instead you have to take the local bus to Quepos. This bus comes every 20 minutes along the main road and costs 380 CRC. The journey takes just 15 minutes and you pay the driver directly in cash.
This bus is frequent and not overcrowded – there is plenty of space for your luggage.
In Quepos, you can purchase your ticket to San Jose at the booth. Again, you can only pay using cash.
Shuttle Bus from San Jose to Manuel Antonio (Not Recommended)
I understand that shuttle buses have a time and a place. And, they are certainly much more useful in other areas of Costa Rica. However, there really is no need to take the shuttle between San Jose and Manuel Antonio.
Not only will you cost yourself a lot more money. But, you could also be wasting a lot of time (due to unreliable companies).
However, if you are adamant that a shuttle is the right option for you, you can pre-book a shared shuttle online.
The benefit of shuttles is that they will often provide a door-to-door service, which can alleviate a lot of hassle. However, in my opinion, it is still not worth the extortionate extra cost.
Self-Drive Option
Many people rent a car to travel around Costa Rica. In fact, it’s so popular that there are signs advertising car rentals on almost every street.
It’s a great option that allows an immense amount of freedom. The roads in Costa Rica are typically very good quality, and having a rental car will allow you to stop off at any sights (like the famous crocodile bridge in Jaco) that take your fancy!
However, only a few companies let you pick up and drop off at a different location (obviously not an issue if you’re flying into and out of San Jose). If you’re crossing into Nicaragua or Panama – expect to pay substantially more to drop your rental before crossing either border.
All travellers and heading to Manuel Antonio for one reason: the epic national park. This tour is two hours with a local expert who will be able to point out all the best wildlife (including sloths!).
