There are different ways to travel from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. From public buses to shared shuttle vans to private transfers or even Uber.
Monteverde and Manuel Antonio are two popular travel destinations in Costa Rica, making it easy to travel between these places.
Depending on your budget and time, there are many ways to get from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.
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The cheapest one is to travel by bus; however, it also takes longer than the other means of transportation. I recommend a shared shuttle or a private transfer if you are traveling with a group.
You could theoretically also take a flight to Quepos; however, it will take way longer as you first have to travel to San Jose or La Fortuna Airport.
How far is Monteverde from Manuel Antonio?
The distance from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is about 185 kilometers or 115 miles by car. Here you can find more information about transportation in Costa Rica.
Transportation Options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
The following table outlines all transportation options from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bus from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio | ~ 6 hours | – |
| Shared Shuttle from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio | ~ 5 hours | USD 44 |
| Private Transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio | 4 hours 30 minutes | USD 193 |
| Taxi from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio | ~4 hours | – |
| Rental Car | ~ 4 hours | – |
Getting to Manuel Antonio from Monteverde
1. Bus from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Journey Duration: ~6 hours
The cheapest way to travel from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio is by bus; however, it is also the longest trip as you can imagine.
The bus actually doesn’t depart from Monteverde itself but from its neighboring town Santa Elena.
From Santa Elena, you will first have to take a bus to Puntarenas, where you have to take another bus to Quepos. From Quepos, a third bus will take you in around 20 minutes to Manuel Antonio.
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On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from San Jose to Santa Teresa. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online.
2. Shared Van Shuttle from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Journey Duration: ~5 hours
There are daily shared shuttles from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.
The air-conditioned drive in a minivan takes around five hours and costs 44 USD per person.
3. Private Transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Journey Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
If you want to be more flexible regarding the departure time or traveling with a big group or your family, a private transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio might be the better option.
A private transfer for a group of up to six people costs 193 USD. If you are traveling with at least five persons, you will actually save money if you book a private transfer.
4. Monteverde to Manuel Antonio Flight
There are no flights from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. However, you could travel from Monteverde to San Jose and take a flight from there to Quepos.
Flights from San Jose to Quepos start at 40 USD, and the flight time is only seventeen minutes. Seventeen minutes with breathtaking views of Costa Rica’s fantastic landscape!
Another option is to travel from Monteverde to La Fortuna and take a flight from there.
5. Driving with Rental Car
Journey Duration: ~4 hours
If you have your car or are considering renting one, you can also drive to Manuel Antonio on your own. The journey takes around four hours, depending on the traffic.
Please note: The first few kilometers after leaving Monteverde town are not paved. Depending on the road conditions, you might need a four-wheel drive.
6. Uber or taxi
Journey Duration: ~4 hours
I recommend taking an Uber instead of a taxi. It is cheaper, the cars are usually way better, and your trip is GPS-tracked. So it’s safer, and your driver has no chance to rip you off.
Best day tours in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. 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 Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
