How far is Jaco from Manuel Antonio?

Manuel Antonio is about 90 minutes to 2 hours south of Jaco by road, depending on traffic through Quepos.

How far is Jaco from San Jose and the airport?

Jaco is roughly 90 minutes from San Jose and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) via the Route 27 highway.

Is Carara National Park close to Jaco?

Yes, Carara National Park is about 20 minutes from Jaco and is one of the best spots on the Central Pacific coast to see scarlet macaws and other wildlife.

What towns make up the Central Pacific Coast near Jaco?

The Central Pacific Coast includes Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, Los Suenos, Tarcoles, and stretches south toward Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Costa Rica From Jaco

How to get around the Central Pacific coast, from Manuel Antonio and San Jose to Carara National Park and everywhere in between.

Jaco sits in the middle of Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, which makes it a natural home base for exploring the wider region. This guide covers the routes travelers ask about most: getting to and from San Jose and SJO airport, driving south to Manuel Antonio, and reaching wildlife-rich spots like Carara National Park.

Each route below links to a full breakdown with distances, drive times, and transportation options, so you can plan day trips or figure out logistics for your arrival and departure without guesswork.

Routes & Destinations Near Jaco

Jaco to Manuel Antonio

Distance, drive time, and transportation options for the scenic route south from Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park.

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Airport shuttle transfer from SJO to Jaco

SJO Airport to Jaco

Everything you need to know about getting from Juan Santamaria International Airport to Jaco, including transfer times and options.

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Central Pacific coast highway transportation guide

Central Pacific Transportation Guide

Distances and drive times from Jaco to Playa Hermosa, Herradura, Los Suenos, Tarcoles, Carara, Manuel Antonio, San Jose, and SJO.

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Wildlife spotted near Carara National Park

Carara National Park & Wildlife

Just 20 minutes from Jaco, Carara National Park and the nearby mangroves are home to scarlet macaws, crocodiles, and monkeys.

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Wildlife tour inside Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park Tours

Guided day tours into one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse national parks, bookable directly through our tours page.

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Panoramic view of the Central Pacific coast near Jaco

Full Costa Rica Travel Guide

Weather, safety, currency, and everything else you need to know about visiting the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Let Us Handle the Logistics

From airport pickup to day trips around the Central Pacific coast, our concierge team arranges every transfer.

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