You can get from Manuel Antonio to San Jose by bus, shared shuttle, private transfer, taxi, or rental car.
The cheapest transportation option from Manuel Antonio to San Jose is by public bus, which costs only USD 9. The journey takes about 4 hours.
The most popular option is the shared shuttle, which offers direct transport and convenience.
The fastest way to travel to San Jose from Manuel Antonio is by private transfer, taxi, or rental car, which takes about 2.5 hours.
My frequent trips across Costa Rica, from the lush rainforests of Manuel Antonio to the bustling city life of San Jose, have allowed me to explore all the travel possibilities.
In this guide, I’ll lay out the options available, providing you with the essential details to ensure a safe and convenient journey to the capital.
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Manuel Antonio to San Jose.
Transportation Options from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
The following table outlines all transportation options from Manuel Antonio to San Jose:
| Method | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus from Manuel Antonio to San Jose | 4 hrs | $9 |
| Shuttle from Manuel Antonio to San Jose | 4.5 hrs | $61 to 65 |
| Manuel Antonio to San Jose Private Transfer | 2.5 hrs | $233 |
| Taxi from Manuel Antonio to San Jose | 2.5 hrs | $110 to 140 |
| Rental Car | 2.5 hrs | – |
How far is San Jose from Manuel Antonio?
The distance from Manuel Antonio to San Jose is 167 kilometers or 103.8 miles.
Depending on your transportation choice and route, the journey will likely take between 3 to 6 hours.
Getting to San Jose from Manuel Antonio
1. Public Bus from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Journey Duration: 4 hours
In terms of cost, the bus is the least expensive option at USD 9. It may not be the most comfortable, but nothing else can beat the price if your priority is to travel cheaply.
There are frequent buses to San Jose from 04:05 AM to 05:00 PM.
Travel with the Tracopa bus service from Manuel Antonio station. The journey will take about 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic.
2. Shared Shuttle from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Journey Duration: 3:30-4:30 hours
The most popular option to get from Manuel Antonio to San Jose is by shared shuttle! A shared shuttle is always a good option if you want to travel economically.
The shared shuttle service from Manuel Antonio to San Jose provides a convenient and relatively swift journey to the Costa Rican capital. The trip typically takes about 4.5 hours.
There are also several services to choose from, which all provide direct transportation from and to your hotel! This door-to-door service will picks you up from your hotels in Manuel Antonio, making it a hassle-free option.
The shuttles are scheduled to depart three times a day, and the cost of a one-way ticket ranges between USD 61 and USD 65.
It’s essential to make your reservation in advance and ensures that your spot is secured!
Shared Shuttle from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from Manuel Antonio to San Jose, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.
| DEP | ETA | DUR | PX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01:30pm | 06:00pm | 4h 30m | $61 |  |
| 08:00am | 12:30pm | 4h 30m | $65 | |
| 12:30pm | 05:00pm | 4h 30m | $65 | |
3. Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Journey Duration: Custom time
Another slightly more expensive alternative is arranging a private transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose!
You can reach San Jose the fastest and most comfortably with a private transfer. The trip lasts about 2.5 hours, and you can completely customize your schedule, pickup time and location.
You can even request that your driver make stops as you travel. So you don’t have to worry about bus and shuttle schedules and have a carefree trip.
Our recommendation is for groups and families to go with this option. As long as the number of people joining the trip is sufficient, the price per person will be comparable with a shared shuttle.
Prices for a private transfer to San Jose:
- 1 to 13 passengers: USD 233
4. Driving with a Rental Car from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Journey Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
In Manuel Antonio, car rental companies also offer affordable rentals for an enjoyable trip to San Jose.
Consider stopping along the way and arranging your own time and schedule when choosing this mode of transportation.
For explorers looking for more freedom, renting a vehicle is the best choice.
5. Taxi from Manuel Antonio to San Jose
Journey Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Taxis and Ubers are the fastest ways to reach San Jose from Manuel Antonio. The cost of this option will range from USD 110 to USD 140, and the time frame will be 2 hours 30 minutes.
Before you take the ride, though, negotiate a fixed price!
Best day tours in San Jose, Costa Rica
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
Here, you can find some of the best tours in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do between Manuel Antonio and San Jose?
The best places to stop on the drive from Manuel Antonio to San Jose are:
Aguas Bravas Rafting.
Dave & Dave’s Costa Rica Nature Park.Â
Frogs Heaven.
Proyecto Asis.
Rainforest Adventures Braulio Carrillo.
Monteverde Butterfly Gardens.
The Bat Jungle.
Curi- Court Reserve.
Do you need a car in Manuel Antonio?
Unless you just like to go on the road and explore the area, you don’t need a car to enjoy Manuel Antonio. Taking a bus or a cab can take you to the beach, a park, a restaurant, a hotel, a bar, etc. You will usually be picked up and dropped off at your hotel if you are doing zip-lining, mangrove water safaris, and other activities during your stay there.
What airport do you fly into for Manuel Antonio?
The nearest airport to Manuel Antonio is Quepos (XQP) Airport, which is 4.2 kilometers away. Additionally, there are airports in San Jose (66.7 km), Tambor (103.7 km), Puerto Jimenez (130.8 km), and Golfito (134.6 km).
What is the cheapest way to get from Manuel Antonio to San Jose?
The cheapest transportation option from Manuel Antonio to San Jose is by public bus, which costs only USD 9.
What is the fastest way to get from Manuel Antonio to San Jose?
The fastest way to travel to San Jose from Manuel Antonio is by private transfer, taxi, or rental car, which takes about 2.5 hours.
More Routes from San Jose, Costa Rica
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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