PRIVATE SHUTTLE
SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos
3 H1-12 passengersDoor-to-door
How much does a private shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos cost?
Prices in USD per vehicle. All-inclusive: A/C, WiFi, water, child seats, door-to-door.
What is the drive from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos like?
The classic route to Costa Rica's most famous national park. Approximately 3 hours from SJO airport down through the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast.
What can you see between SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport and Manuel Antonio / Quepos?
Tárcoles crocodile bridge
Jacó beach views
Esterillos coastline
Quepos town
Manuel Antonio National Park entrance
What are the road conditions from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos?
Fully paved highway. Some winding mountain sections and a coastal stretch with traffic in beach season.
Traveler Tip
Manuel Antonio is a small town with one main road. Most hotels are along the road between Quepos and the park entrance. Confirm exact hotel name when booking — pickup spots vary.
Is the shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos family-friendly?
Approximately 3.5 hours with one scheduled stop. Child seats are included at no charge — request the appropriate type during booking. The mountain pass near Atenas has moderate curves; the remainder is coastal highway. All vehicles are equipped with A/C, WiFi, and USB charging.
Budget breakdown
Standard transfer is direct. Discovery upgrade lets you stop at Tárcoles crocodile bridge or have lunch in Jacó. Worth it for first-timers.
About travel times
Realistic 3 to 3.5 hours. Beach season weekends can add 30 minutes of coastal traffic.
Is the shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos available 24/7?
Late arrivals at SJO are common. The drive to Manuel Antonio follows the Pacific highway past Atenas and along the Costanera Sur — approximately 3.5 hours with minimal traffic at night. Our drivers operate around the clock with no additional charges for nighttime pickups.
Local insider tip
Get to Manuel Antonio National Park early (opens 7am) — the wildlife is most active in the morning and parking fills by 9am. Entry tickets must be bought online in advance — check sinac.go.cr.
Frequently asked about SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport → Manuel Antonio / Quepos
How long does it take to drive from SJO to Manuel Antonio?
About 3 hours for the 160 km drive. We take Route 27 (the modern toll highway) from San José to the Pacific, then Costanera Sur (Route 34) south to Quepos and Manuel Antonio. It's the smoothest, fastest route to the Pacific coast from the airport.
Can we stop at the Tárcoles crocodile bridge?
Yes — it's a popular crocodile-viewing photo stop on the way. The bridge itself is free to walk across and you can see 10–20 large American crocodiles in the river below. Sightseeing stops add $35 per extra hour to a standard transfer, or are included with our VIP transfer package. Just let us know at booking.
Is the road from SJO to Manuel Antonio direct?
Yes, the route is straightforward and fully paved. Route 27 is a modern toll highway with two lanes in each direction for most of the way. The coastal Costanera Sur is a well-maintained two-lane road. Traffic is rarely an issue except during the morning rush leaving San José.
What if my flight lands late at SJO — can you still take me to Manuel Antonio?
Yes. Our drivers operate 24/7 and night driving on Route 27 is straightforward. We track flight arrival times automatically, so even if you're delayed, your driver waits at no extra cost. Many guests arrive after 10 PM and reach Manuel Antonio around 1 AM.
How much does a private shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos cost?
Private shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos starts at $220 USD per vehicle (1-6 passengers). The price is per vehicle, not per person — everyone in your group travels together for the same flat rate. Larger vehicles for 7-18 passengers are available at higher tiers.
How long does the drive from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos take?
The drive from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos takes approximately 3 H. Travel times can vary slightly depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions. Our drivers monitor conditions in real time to choose the fastest safe route.
Is the shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos private?
Yes. Every Private Travel CR shuttle is fully private — you ride only with your group, no shared seats with strangers. The price covers the entire vehicle door-to-door, including a professional bilingual driver, free WiFi, bottled water, free child seats on request, and full insurance.
Do you pick up at any address in SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport?
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup anywhere in SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport — hotels, Airbnbs, private villas, or any specific address you give us at booking. We confirm the exact pickup location 24 hours before your trip.
Top hotels in Manuel Antonio / Quepos
We pick up at any of these properties. Click for shuttle pricing from Manuel Antonio / Quepos to anywhere in Costa Rica.
Other routes from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport
Plan your trip
Travel GuidesManuel Antonio Costa Rica Travel Guide 2026 — A Local's Complete Plan
Everything you need to plan a Manuel Antonio trip in 2026 — where it is, how to get there, when to visit, how many days, where to stay (hilltop vs beachfront), what to do, and which days the national park is closed. From a driver who lives nearby.
14 min readRead
Travel TipsManuel Antonio vs Tamarindo: Which Costa Rica Beach Is Right for You?
Two of Costa Rica's most popular beach towns, side by side. Vibe, wildlife, surf, food, distance from airports — pick the one that matches your trip.
8 min readRead
WildlifeWhere to See Sloths in Costa Rica: The 7 Best Spots (From a Local)
A local driver's honest guide to seeing sloths in Costa Rica — the parks where sightings are almost guaranteed, the hidden trails locals use, and the rescue centers worth visiting (plus which to skip).
9 min readRead
Ready to book?
Get your private shuttle from SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to Manuel Antonio / Quepos starting at $220 USD
Book Now