The primary transport hubs for Manuel Antonio are the local bus terminal in the adjacent town of Quepos and the Quepos Airport (XQP), which handles domestic flights.
Domestic flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San Jose to Quepos Airport (XQP) are the quickest option, typically taking 20-25 minutes. One-way tickets generally range from $53 to $140 USD. From Quepos Airport, a taxi ride to Manuel Antonio takes about 14 minutes and costs approximately $15-$20 USD.
Direct buses are available from San Jose's Tracopa Bus Terminal to Manuel Antonio or Quepos. The journey can take between 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on whether it is a direct or collective service. Fares are around 5,000-5,630 Costa Rican Colones, which is roughly $10-$11 USD. Tickets are bought directly at the bus terminal.
Both shared and private shuttle services offer door-to-door transportation from San Jose (including SJO Airport) to Manuel Antonio. Shared shuttles typically cost $55-$65 USD per person and take approximately 3 to 5 hours. Private shuttles offer more flexibility and direct routes, with costs ranging from $113-$220 USD for a group.
Driving from San Jose to Manuel Antonio typically takes 3 to 4 hours, covering a distance of approximately 160-170 km (100-106 miles) on generally well-maintained roads. Car rental prices vary, with daily rates found from $7-$25 USD, though averages can be around $17-$42 USD or more for standard vehicles.
Public buses frequently run along the main road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, departing every 15-30 minutes and costing about 410-650 Costa Rican Colones ($0.65-$0.75 USD). Taxis are also readily available, with a ride from Quepos to Manuel Antonio typically costing $6-$8 USD. Rideshare services like Uber are present but may have limited availability.
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