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 Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
There are three ways to travel the distance of 185 km (115 miles) from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio: by indirect bus (5h55m), minivan (4h-5h) and private transfer (5 hours). The journey takes between 4h - 5h55m and the quickest way is by minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from $8.50 (4,000 CRC) for the indirect 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.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Indirect Bus
The bus is a cheap alternative to the minivan. There are no direct buses from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio so you’ll actually have to take three buses. The transfers are easy though; there is just no guarantee that your connecting bus is available as soon as you arrive at the bus stations. With combined bus rates from $8 (4,000 CRC), the 6-hour journey may be worth it.
Step 1: Monteverde to Puntarenas by Bus
Buses bound for Puntarenas depart from Santa Elena, particularly at Centro Commercial Monteverde. 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 at least two trips daily with a travel time of around 2 hours. Keep in mind that most buses depart early in the morning!
Indirect Bus options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Since not all buses are available daily, 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 $3.30 (2,000 CRC). If you don’t mind taking a risk of tickets being sold out, then you can also buy your tickets at the bus station for about $1 cheaper.
Buses park at Puntarenas Bus Terminal.
Step 2: Puntarenas to Quepos by Bus
From Puntarenas, you’ll then have to take another bus going to Quepos, located 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 3.5 hours and a ticket costs $4.50 (2,000 CRC).
Indirect Bus options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
The last stop is at Quepos Bus Terminal.
Step 3: Quepos to Manuel Antonio by Bus
Quepos is a town and transport hub located beside Manuel Antonio, just about 4 km north. There are already plenty of hotels and guesthouses around town. And if you’re staying in Quepos, you may be able to simply walk to your final destination.
But if you’re hotel is located 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 every hour onwards. A ticket costs $0.60 (0 CRC) for the 25-minute journey.
Alternatively, you can take a 15-minute taxi for around $6 (3,000 CRC).
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, though. Ticket prices start from $44 (23,000 CRC) for the 4 to 5-hour minivan journey.
There are at least four trusted minivan companies you can choose from:
- RideCR
- Interbus
- Monteverde Shuttle Bus
- Tropical Tours Shuttle
Minivan schedule from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
Book your tickets online so you won’t have to visit their office for reservations.
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio by Private Transfer
Are you travelling in a group? A private transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio can be cheaper than a shared minivan when you split the cost. Rates start from $190 (100,000 CRC) for a car that can fit up to 6 people.
We recommend booking your private ride through BookAway, which offers comfortable cars that come with trusted drivers.
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 Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
What is the distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio?
The distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is 185 km (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 4h-5h.
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 $8.50 (4,000 CRC).
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!
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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.
