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.

There are 3 ways to travel the 185 kilometers (115 miles) from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. You can choose between the indirect bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 3 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours 30 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 6,100 CRC ($11.90).

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 6,100 CRC ($11.90), we leave it to you to decide if this 5 hours 55 minutes journey is worth the savings.

Buses bound for Puntarenas depart from Santa Elena, at the Transmonteverde Bus Stop beside 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 about 4 trips daily with a travel time of around 2h. Rates start at 2,690 CRC ($5.30). Keep in mind that most buses depart in the morning!

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).

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 final destination.

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 ($0.60) and the journey takes 25 minutes.

Alternatively, you can take a 15-minute taxi for around 5,100 CRC ($10).

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 25,000 CRC ($50) for the 3 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes minivan journey.

There are ten minivan companies operating on this route.

Monteverde - Any hotel

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Manuel Antonio - Any hotel

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From 32,000 CRC ($64)

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32,000 CRC ($64)

08:00

5h

13:00

Check on BookAway

• 24/7 customer support

32,000 CRC ($64)

08:00

5h

13:00

Check on BookAway

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 100,000 CRC ($200) for a 5-seater private transfer.

We recommend booking your private ride through BookAway, which offers comfortable cars that come with trusted drivers.

Private Transport options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio