How to travel from Montezuma to Manuel Antonio and Quepos

Do you want to travel from Montezuma to Manuel Antonio and Quepos Costa Rica? Then you have come to the right place. Villas Jacquelina aims to provide the best guest service as possible, and in doing that, we have made it our mission to help travelers navigate the jungles of Costa Rica. Our goal is to help our guests find their way to our city in the most easy, fast, and safe way possible.

By Car

If you drive by car from Montezuma to Manuel Antonio and Quepos, it will likely take you around 6.5 hours.  It's a long trip because you have to drive north to get over the peninsula before you can travel south to Manuel Antonio and Quepos. The best way to navigate your journey is to use the Waze App. Waze is very popular in Costa Rica and works really well when navigating traffic and detours. If you don't have cell service make sure you download the map in Waze or in Google maps. Be prepared for the toll booths that are common on Costa Rica highways. The tolls are a fair cost but it's nice to have change or small bills ready to pay.

Places to stop along the journey

This trip is long so we recommend you break it up a bit.  One of our favorite stops is Rio Tarcoles. Stopping at Rio Tarcoles is special because this beautiful river is filled with wild crocodiles that consistently gather beneath the bridge, making it a great place to view them in their wild habitat.  Another recommended stop is Jaco. Jaco is a large coastal beach town that is jammed packed with excitement and attractions. Jaco is a great place to eat, as there are a plethora of delicious food options. Jaco Taco is one of our favorite lunch stops because they serve delicious fish tacos that come with a buffet of delicious side dishes and garnishes.

By Group or Private Shuttle (5hrs) ($35-$75)

While you may be able to take a shared or private shuttle from Montezuma to Manuel Antonio and Quepos, doing so is not fastest or recommended. The recommended option is to first travel by ferry to Jaco and then travel by private or shared shuttle to Manuel Antonio and Quepos. You can book both the ferry and the shuttle together using Zuma Tours which is one of the main ferry services between Montezuma and Jaco.

There are two shuttle options available in Costa Rica: private and shared. With either option, you will be riding in a small-to-medium sized van that should be air conditioned, insured, and properly licensed by the government.  Shuttles can typically hold between 5 and 14 passengers and drivers typically speak some basic English while some are completely fluent.  Shared shuttles are a great way to travel around Costa Rica because you get to your destination fast, secure and on time while meeting other people.

Shared Shuttles are available on a daily basis. They have morning and afternoon departures (depending on the destination). They offer door-to-door hotel and hostel service and they are not too expensive when compared to other travel options. Shuttles travel from/to the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, including Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Tamarindo, San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) airports.

Our top 5 shuttle services in Costa Rica

• Interbus
• Costa Rica Shuttle
• Tropical Tours Shuttle
• Tico Shuttles
• Easy Ride Shuttles

Main Differences Between Shared and Private Shuttles

• Number of People
• Shared shuttles have other passengers onboard, while private ones carry only you and your traveling party.
• Pick up Time and Location
• Shared shuttles run on a set schedule and pick up only at certain places, mostly hotels (i.e., hotel-to-hotel service). Private shuttles, on the other hand, will pick you up at a custom time and place, including vacation rentals.

Airport Pick-ups

Because shared shuttles run on a set schedule, your flight has to get in early enough to make the designated time(s). Most shared shuttles cannot do pick-ups at the airport so you have to take a taxi or walk to the nearest pick up location. Airport pick-up locations are normally not far from the airport.

Private shuttles can pick you up right at the airport when your flight arrives. The driver will wait for you outside the airport doors and will typically have a sign with your name on it in their hands.

Length of Trip

Be aware that shared shuttles can tend to take a bit longer than expected sometimes because they have to make stops to pick-up and drop-off other passengers. While this may not seem like a big delay, sometimes it can be because some hotel pick-up/drop-offs can be far out of the way.

Private vans are direct so they take about the same amount of time as if you drove yourself.

Shuttle Stops

Shared shuttles include a short stop to use the restroom or grab food.  Most private shuttles include an hour for time to stop along the way (if desired) to see a quick attraction, grab a bite to eat, stop at the grocery store, etc. There are great fruit stands and markets all along Costa Rica highways.

Luggage

When traveling in a shared shuttle, you are limited to one carry-on and one piece of luggage per person. Surfboards and other bulky items are not allowed.

Private shuttles are only limited by the amount of space they have.

Car Seats

Both shared and private shuttles can provide car seats and booster seats free of charge. Just make sure you request them in advance.