How to travel from Puerto Viejo to Manuel Antonio and Quepos



If you are looking to travel from Puerto Viejo to Manuel Antonio or Quepos, we’ve got you covered. There are a variety of transportation options available for all budgets. Villas Jacquelina aims to provide the best guest service 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 easiest, fastest, and safest way possible.  If you need a hotel in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area, check out our treehouse-style Villas in Quepos. 

2) By Car (6.5 - 7 hours)

If you travel by car from Puerto Viejo to Manuel Antonio and Quepos, it will likely take you around 6.5-7 hours. 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.

3) By Group or Private Shuttle (6.5 - 7 hours)

There are two similar 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. 

Main Differences Between Shared and Private Shuttles

• Number of People

Shared shuttles have other passengers on board, 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. 

Writer’s Tip:

If you are looking to make the journey more interesting, you may consider completing part of the journey via a rafting expedition. If you are interested in doing some white water rafting while in Costa Rica and plan to travel from Puerto Viejo to Manuel Antonio/Quepos, combining the two could make for an exciting way to break up the trip. There are a couple of companies that offer this rafting trip. The duration of the journey is around 11 hours and leaves bright and early, so you would end in San Jose and need to spend the night. However, you would be ready to embark on the remainder of your journey to Manuel Antonio or Quepos the next day.