How to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Why visit 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.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
There are 3 ways to travel the 185 kilometre (115 miles) distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. You can choose between the indirect bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 55 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by indirect bus with tickets starting at 6,400 CRC ($13.60).
Where to stay in Manuel Antonio?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Manuel Antonio.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Indirect Bus
The bus is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio, but keep in mind there are no direct routes. You’ll need to take three buses. And while the transfers are straightforward, there’s no guarantee that a connecting bus will be ready right when you arrive at each station.
With a combined fare from 6,400 CRC ($13.60), we leave it to you to decide if this 5 hours 55 minutes journey is worth the savings.
Step 1: Bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas
The first step is to take a bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas.
Buses bound for Puntarenas depart from Transmonteverde Bus Stop beside Centro Commercial Monteverde in Santa Elena. Depending on where you’re staying around Monteverde, you can get here via a 10 to 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Transmonteverde operates about 4 trips daily with a travel time of around 2h. Rates start at 3,060 CRC ($6.50). Keep in mind that most buses depart in the morning! Also, the 05:30 AM bus is not available every Sunday.
Not all buses are available daily, so we recommend booking your tickets online at least a day before to be assured of a seat at your desired time.
You can buy your tickets through the Transmonteverde website for 3,060 CRC ($6.50). If you don’t mind taking the risk of tickets being sold out, then you can also buy your tickets at the bus station for about a dollar cheaper.
Buses park at Puntarenas Bus Terminal.
Step 2: Bus from Puntarenas to Quepos
From Puntarenas, you’ll then have to take another bus going to Quepos, 140 km southeast.
Transportes Quepos Puntarenas offers several trips from 04:30 to 17:30. Depending on the time of your arrival at Puntarenas, you may have to wait a few hours for the connecting bus.
Travel time from Puntarenas to Quepos takes around 3h 30m and a ticket costs 3,050 CRC ($6.50).
Important: As of December 2025, there have been reports saying Puntarenas Bus Terminal is closed, but you will still be dropped off in front of the terminal. Is buses to Quepos are not available here, you can find them around 200 metres away in front of the restaurant Soda La Esquina 2.
The last stop is at Quepos Bus Terminal.
Step 3: Bus from Quepos to Manuel Antonio
Quepos is a town and transport hub about 4km north of Manuel Antonio. There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses around town. And if you’re staying in Quepos, you may be able to simply walk to your accommodation.
But if your hotel is in Manuel Antonio, then you can take a short bus ride to get there. Buses from Quepos to Manuel Antonio depart every 30 minutes from 05:45 to 19:00 and then at 20:00 and 21:30. A ticket costs 320 CRC ($0.70) and the journey takes 25 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a 15-minute taxi for around 4,720 CRC ($10).
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Minivan
The minivan is a convenient way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. You won’t have to worry about any transfers because it’s a door-to-door ride.
It’s a bit pricey, but well worth the convenience. Ticket prices start from 26,000 CRC ($55) for the minivan journey that takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.
You have plenty of options for this route. We recommend booking your ticket online through BookAway. Tickets are often cheaper here, compare to when you book directly through the minivan company’s website.
Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
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Book your tickets online so you won’t have to visit their office for reservations.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Private Transport
Are you travelling in a group? A private transfer to Manuel Antonio from Monteverde can be cheaper than a shared minivan when you split the cost.
Rates start from 93,000 CRC ($200) for a 5-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 19,000 CRC ($39.50) per person.
Private Transport options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Monteverde 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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
What is the distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is 185 kilometre (115 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The fastest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is by minivan and takes 3 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The cheapest way to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is by indirect bus with ticket costs starting from 6,400 CRC ($13.60).
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.
