La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio tickets
La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio Trip Overview
Manuel Antonio to La FortunaDistance 130 km (81.3 miles) | |
Price range US$ 61-US$ 680 | |
Ride Duration Range 4h 30m-6h | |
Earliest Departure 06:00 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Taking a minivan from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
Fastest minivan: 4h 30m
Cheapest minivan: US$ 61
About the ride from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
After enjoying your time hiking and relaxing in the hot springs, traveling from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio is a great way to extend your trip in Costa Rica. Located 220 km (136 miles) to the south, the charming beach town is the perfect place to relax and recharge after being so active.
The ride is smooth and easy, as you'll mostly travel along the highway. Whether you go by car or minivan, professional drivers will take you on the four-and-a-half to six-hour trip, keeping you as comfortable as possible.
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
This coastal town is packed with great things to do. You'll want to give yourself at least a few days to explore everything Manuel Antonio offers. Here are some of the best places to check out during your stay.
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park. Costa Rica's smallest yet most popular national park is a fantastic place to hike, swim, and explore everything the rainforest offers.
Here, you can see a wider variety of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and hundreds of different species of birds, making it the perfect place for animal lovers to visit.
The Costa Rican government is working on keeping the park sustainable, so only 1200 people are permitted to enter each day. The park is also closed on Tuesdays.
Pro tip: Book an early morning guided tour of the park. You'll avoid the heavy heat of the day and the crowds, plus you'll probably see more wildlife.
Spend time at the beaches. There are several amazing beaches located inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Escondido Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach, and Espadilla Sur are all accessible from low-intensity hiking trails. What is more refreshing than jumping into the ocean after a nice hike?
Playa Manuel Antonio and Play Espadilla are the main beaches outside the park. Playa Espadilla is the most popular with visitors, as there are snack bars, drink stands, and plenty of beach activities. It is also a great place to take surf lessons if you want to learn how to hang 10.
Hike the Nauyaca Waterfall. An hour south of the city, tucked into the mountains, are the Nauyaca Waterfalls. Join a guided tour to learn more about the area. Then hike and swim until your heart's content. Don't forget your waterproof camera, as this is definitely a place you'll want to remember.
Go whitewater rafting on Rio Savegre. It is home to class II and class III rapids, which are great for beginner and experienced rafters. In addition to the adrenaline rush, you'll also be treated to gorgeous scenery.
How to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
There are two ways to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio: by minivan or car. Both options take between four and a half and six hours, depending on traffic and stops.
Minivan
Booking a seat in a minivan is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. At a specified time, the driver will pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at your next stay. Seats start at $50.
If you are traveling with a small group, hire a private minivan. Prices for the van start around $290, so the more people you have in your group, the less it costs per person. You'll get to create your own schedule and get door-to-door service.
Most minivans have a 20 kg (44 lb) luggage allowance, and there is a small fee if you have your surfboard in tow.
Car
If you are a solo traveler or traveling with a small group of up to four people, hiring a car might be the way to go. An SUV will pick you up from your hotel in La Fortuna and drop you off at your next accommodation in Manuel Antonio.
While this is a pricer option (cars go for about $400), you'll benefit from setting your ideal schedule. And because you're renting the entire vehicle, you can control when you stop for bathroom and snack breaks.
Be sure to check the minivan prices because it might be cheaper to hire a minivan than a car.
What to expect on the journey from Manuel Antonio from La Fortuna
The ride to Manuel Antonio from La Fortuna is relatively easy. Regardless of how you are traveling, you'll be able to enjoy stunning views as you come from the volcano and head towards the coast.
Both transportation options offer you AC and professional drivers. Some companies provide additional amenities like WiFi, snacks, and reclining seats. Be sure to check with individual companies to find out everything they can offer you.
If you opt for a private transfer, plan to stop at Crocodile Bridge if you have the time. Perched on the Tarcoles River, this is a popular spot to check out the crocodiles below and grab a quick bite to eat. If you're feeling peckish, try a refreshing batido (fresh fruit smoothie).
Best time to visit Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio has pretty stable temperatures year-round, hovering between 28℃ (85℉) and 31℃ (91℉). However, there is a dry season and a rainy season, so if you plan on spending time at the beach, you'll want to consider this when deciding when to visit.
The dry season lasts from December to April, with February the sunniest month of the year. If you're based in the northern hemisphere, Manuel Antonio is the perfect spot to escape the cold winter months.
The rainy season is from May through November. May to August is still a good time to visit, though, as you can almost predict an afternoon thunderstorm. These typically only last for an hour or two, so you can still maximize your time on the beach. May through August is also considered shoulder season, so prices are a bit cheaper.
Heavier rains start in September. Avoid traveling from September through November if you want to spend most of your time at the beach or in the national parks.
Where to go after Manuel Antonio
There are plenty of spectacular places to see in Costa Rica once you're ready to move on from Manuel Antonio.
Need more time on the coast? Head to Jacó or Santa Teresa. Both beach towns are known for great surfing and laid-back vibes. Jacó is closer, at only an hour and 20 minutes away. Santa Teresa is a three-and-a-half-hour drive, but it is worth it for any sun worshipper
Companies Operating from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
Our travelers reviews about the ride from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
Based on 1443 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
Tamara R.
Marc S.
Paula D.
Mindaugas S.
Eva R.
Popular stations and stops in La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio
Departure stations in La Fortuna
Arrival stations in Manuel Antonio
Related blog posts
The geeky globe: 8 reasons why geeky travelers are the best
When we think of the best possible companion to join us on our trip, many different characteristics come to mind. Maybe your potential companion is geeky!
How to meet awesome people when traveling solo
Although you may be starting your holiday on your own, you`ll likely end up spending your entire holiday with others.
Traveling alone? Not if you bring your smartphone
5 brilliant ways to turn your mobile into the best travel buddy ever… especially if you`re traveling alone and start to feel a bit lonely.
Questions & Answers for Traveling from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
What is the most popular transportation service from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
What is the distance between La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
What is the fastest transportation service from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
What is the cheapest transport option from La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio?
Who are the service providers on this route?
MINIVAN: Quercus Travel | Coach Costa Rica | Volcano Travel | RideCR
CAR: Quercus Travel | Relaxury | Jacamar Naturalist Tour
Why travel with Bookaway?
Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.
