What to expect when visiting Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is a popular national park and beach town in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province. It boasts a diverse rainforest, which is home to a great variety of flora and fauna. You’ll find here white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, and a whole variety of wildlife.
You can spend days without running out of things to do in Manuel Antonio — from chasing waterfalls to going on a catamaran cruise. But the town’s main draw is actually its beaches — white sand, turquoise waters — the perfect ending after hiking through its jungle.
3 ways to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
There are three ways to travel the distance of 220 km (137 miles) from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio: by bus (12h30m), private transfer (5 hours) and minivan (5h30m-6h). The journey takes between 5h - 12h30m and the quickest way is by private transfer. The lowest priced tickets start from $13 (7,000 CRC) for the bus.Where to stay in Manuel Antonio?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Manuel Antonio at the bottom of this page.
La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio by Bus
Travelling by bus will be exhausting because there are no direct buses from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. You’ll have to take 4 buses. And when you include all the waiting time at the bus stations, the entire journey will take close to 9 hours! On the other hand, the prices of this bus journey only cost around $13 (7,000 CRC).
While the bus is hands down the cheapest way to travel this route, it’s also the least convenient. But if budget is your priority, we got you covered. Just read on for a step-by-step guide on how to take a bus from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio.
Step 1: La Fortuna to San Ramon by Bus
First, you have to take a bus from La Fortuna to San Ramon, a town located 70 km south.
Compañia Carbachez is the main bus operator for this route. Its buses depart five times a day from 04:30 to 16:00. If you want to complete this bus journey in a day, make an early start from La Fortuna. That means that you have to depart no later than 09:00 in the morning.
This bus journey takes 2 hours and a ticket costs around $5 (3,000 CRC). You can buy your tickets at the bus station.
Buses depart from the bus terminal in La Fortuna and arrive at the bus station in San Ramon.
For the latest schedules, check out Compañia Carbachez on Facebook.
Step 2: San Ramon to Puntarenas by Bus
From San Ramon, you will then have to travel 55 km going west to reach Puntarenas. Buses depart from the Municipal Market of San Ramon. This is about 500m from the bus station you arrive at from La Fortuna.
Empresarios Unidos operates about 16 trips daily, almost every hour from 04:00 to 21:00. These buses depart from San Jose, make a stop in San Ramon, and then go on their way to Puntarenas.
Travel time by bus from San Ramon to Puntarenas takes about 1.5 hours. Ticket prices start from $3 (2,000 CRC). You can check out the Empresarios Unidos website for more details.
Buses park at the Empresarios Unidos Bus Station in Puntarenas.
Step 3: Puntarenas to Quepos by Bus
Next, you’ll have to travel 140 km southeast from Puntarenas to Quepos. From the bus stop of Empresarios Unidos in Puntarenas, walk 5 minutes to the west to find the Transportes Quepos Puntarenas Bus Station.
Transportes Quepos Puntarenas operates 8 daily trips for this route. These buses depart every 1 to 3 hours from 04:30 to 17:30.
A bus ticket costs about $4 (2,000 CRC) for the 2.5-hour journey. Visit the Transportes Quepos Puntarenas website for the latest rates and schedules.
Buses park at Quepos Bus Terminal in Quepos town centre. If your hotel is already located in town, then you should not have a hard time finding it on foot. But if you choose to stay within Manuel Antonio, which is definitely more scenic, then read on for the final step.
Step 4: Quepos to Manuel Antonio by Bus
Quepos is the main gateway to Manuel Antonio, which you can find some 5 km further south.
From the bus station you arrive at, you can easily transfer to another bus that will take you to Manuel Antonio in around 30 minutes. A ticket costs about $1 (1,000 CRC).
Alternatively, you can take a taxi for around $6 (3,000 CRC). This way, you will be brought straight to your hotel.
PRO TIP: Bus travel in Costa Rica is prone to petty thieves. Always be mindful of your luggage. When putting your suitcase in the luggage compartment, wait until it is inside before boarding the bus. And don’t forget to get your luggage ticket from the driver! As for your smaller bags, put them where you can see them at all times, preferably on your lap or between your feet.
La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio by Minivan
The direct minivan is our recommended option for solo travellers. With a minivan, you will be picked up from your accommodation in La Fortuna and dropped off at your hotel in Manuel Antonio. You won’t have anything to worry about during the 5.5-hour journey. Minivan fares start from $45 (24,000 CRC).
RideCR, Paradise Shuttle, and Interbus are some of the popular companies offering minivan rides for this route. All of them get great reviews so you can expect a comfortable ride from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio.
Just keep in mind that the driver will pick up and drop off many other passengers along the way and it may add to the travel time.
Minivan schedule from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
For easy booking and the best rates, we recommend buying your tickets online beforehand through BookAway.
La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio by Private Transfer
If you’re in a group, taking a private transfer is a cost-efficient way to travel from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. Rates start from $250 (131,000 CRC) for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about $42 (22,000 CRC) per person. Not a bad rate for a door-to-door transfer!
The journey from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio by private transfer takes around 5 hours. You can arrange a taxi ride through your hotel or you can book a private transfer through BookAway.
Our favourite places to stay in Manuel Antonio
Millenium Manuel Antonio - Treating Yourself
You can’t really ask for a better location in Manuel Antonio than this one. Millennium Hotel is only 100 metres from Manuel Antonio National Park! That also means that you’re super close to the beach.
The hotel has its own outdoor swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing swim after walking around the national park. The rooms are spacious and offer everything you could need during your stay. A delicious breakfast is also offered for free in a nearby restaurant.
- The best location
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Tasty breakfast included
- Friendly and helpful staff
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Tico Tico Villas - Treating Yourself
Tico Tico Villas tick all the boxes. Swimming pool, beautifully designed rooms and a cosy terrace area surrounded by nature. The location of the hotel is also great! All your needs will be fulfilled here.
Especially thanks to the friendly and helpful staff who will make your stay perfect. You can even enjoy a BBQ as there are facilities available in the hotel.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- BBQ facilities
- Amazing staff
- Close to Manuel Antonio National Park
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Peace of Paradise - Mid Range
Peace of Paradise feels exactly that. All you have to do to see wildlife is sit on your balcony and wait. Before long, you may be able to see monkeys, toucans, birds and maybe a sloth passing by.
The rooms are large and spacious, offering their own kitchen facilities. You can make yourself a coffee or cook a full-blown meal. The hotel has a great location in Manuel Antonio though, not far from bars and restaurants which may be more tempting than cooking your own meals.
- Lots of wildlife around the hotel
- Great location
- Private balconies
- Private kitchen facilities
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
Hostel Plinio - Budget Friendly
Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or in a group, Hostel Plinio will suit your needs. There are both dorms and private rooms available, depending on what you’re looking for.
With the outdoor swimming pool and onsite Mexican restaurant, the place feels more like a mini-resort than a hostel. The breakfast in the morning will set you up perfectly for the day ahead, especially the delicious gallo pinto. And don’t forget to try out their tacos!
- Onsite Mexican restaurant
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Shared kitchen
- Delicious and filling breakfast included
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
What is the distance from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
The distance from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is 220 km (137 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
The fastest way to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is by private transfer and takes 5 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
The cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is by bus with ticket costs starting from $13 (7,000 CRC).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
