How to Travel From Jaco to Manuel Antonio
Distance, drive time, and the best ways to get from Jaco Beach to Manuel Antonio National Park, whether it's a day trip or a full stay.
Distance
~40 miles (65 km)
Drive Time
45 min - 1.5 hours
Route
Costanera Sur (Route 34)
Best Option
Private driver or day tour
Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular add-ons to a Jaco vacation, and for good reason: it pairs Costa Rica's most famous national park with beaches, wildlife, and rainforest trails, all within a manageable drive south along the coast. Whether you're planning a full day trip or an overnight extension to your Jaco stay, getting from Jaco to Manuel Antonio is straightforward on the Costanera Sur highway.
This guide covers the distance, drive time, transportation options, and the worthwhile stops along the way, so you can plan the trip that fits your group and schedule.
Ways to Get From Jaco to Manuel Antonio
Private Driver or Transfer
A private driver picks you up in Jaco and drops you at your Manuel Antonio hotel, the national park entrance, or back home the same day. It's the most flexible option, especially if you're bringing beach gear, kids, or want to stop in Tarcoles along the way.
Best for: Flexible timing, door-to-door, easy with kids and luggage
Guided Day Tour
Many travelers combine the drive with a Manuel Antonio National Park wildlife tour, spotting sloths, monkeys, and toucans with a licensed naturalist guide before heading back to Jaco the same evening. Transportation is included, so there's nothing to arrange beyond booking.
Best for: Combines transportation with a guided park visit
Self-Drive Rental Car
The Costanera Sur highway between Jaco and Manuel Antonio is scenic and mostly straightforward, making this a reasonable option if you already have a rental car. Watch for the Tarcoles bridge crocodile lookout and slower stretches through small towns along the way.
Best for: Freedom to stop at Tarcoles or Carara along the route
Public Bus
Local buses run along the Costanera between Jaco and Quepos (the town next to Manuel Antonio), but schedules are limited and the trip takes longer with stops. It's the most budget-friendly option for travelers not in a hurry.
Best for: Lowest cost for budget travelers with flexible schedules
Worth a Stop Along the Route
Tarcoles River Bridge
About 20 minutes south of Jaco, this roadside stop is famous for the American crocodiles that gather beneath the bridge, a quick and popular photo stop for every route to Manuel Antonio.
Carara National Park
Just past Tarcoles, Carara is one of the best spots in Costa Rica to see scarlet macaws in the wild, with well-marked trails through transitional rainforest suited to travelers of any fitness level.
Herradura & Los Sueños
If you're starting from Herradura or Los Sueños instead of downtown Jaco, the drive to Manuel Antonio adds only a few minutes since both are along the same coastal route south.
Flying in Before Your Manuel Antonio Trip?
Check our guide for getting from San Jose airport to Jaco first, then let us handle the connection south to Manuel Antonio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let Us Plan Your Manuel Antonio Trip
We'll arrange the driver, the timing, and the wildlife tour, so all you have to do is show up.
Plan My Trip South