How to Get from SJO to Manuel Antonio/Quepos, Costa Rica

Quepos is a much-visited town on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Once one of the country’s main Pacific ports and center of banana production, it’s now a sport-fishing center and the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, a few kilometers away. Indeed, it’s boat charters and nature that draw tourists from all over the world to this area. 

The town of Quepos itself, aside from the local marina, is more of an admin base for the Manuel Antonio area, as far as tourism goes. Most travelers to the area stay in one of the many hotels and rental homes between Quepos and the national park. For all intents and purposes, when we talk about Quepos, we’re talking about Manuel Antonio too. Bottom line is, Quepos provides the infrastructure and Manuel Antonio delivers the rainforests, nature, and beaches that make this region so popular. Most travelers coming to Costa Rica will pass through Quepos and Manuel Antonio during the course of their trip.

Which begs the question, what’s the best way to get from SJO to Manuel Antonio? Well, unlike some of Costa Rica’s more remote beach destinations, it is pretty easy to reach Manuel Antonio from the Central Valley, both by air and land.

Below, we’ll outline the best ways to get to Quepos and Manuel Antonio from Costa Rica’s capital, and back again. No matter your travel style, needs, and budget, we’ll show you the way and you’ll be sharing the beach with monkeys in no time at all!

Fastest and Most Convenient Options: Flying Private

Private Charter Flights with Fly Adventure Air

For travelers seeking the ultimate in speed and convenience, Adventure Air offers private charter flights from SJO to Quepos. This premium service transforms what could be a multi-hour journey by road into a quick and scenic flight, starting your vacation in style.

The flight from SJO to La Managua Airport (XQP) in Quepos takes just 20 minutes, making it by far the fastest way to reach your destination. Once in the air, you’ll see just how close the Pacific coast is as the Central Valley tapers down to sea level with mountains either side. It’s a beautiful sight, especially if you get to sit upfront or look over the pilot’s shoulder straight ahead out of the windscreen. Once you arrive, it’s no more than 10-15 minutes max to where you’re staying in the area. 

Adventure Air’s fleet includes everything from nimble single-engine aircraft perfect for couples or small families, to larger turboprops ideal for groups or those traveling with extensive luggage. Each aircraft offers a comfortable cabin environment and experienced pilots who know the route well. 

For travelers heading straight to Quepos from their international flight arrival into SJO, the Adventure Air experience begins the moment you land. There’s a personal meet-and-greet service waiting at immigration to guide you through the arrival process and escort you directly to your charter flight. This personalized attention ensures a smooth transition from your international arrival to your private plane and gets you relaxing poolside in Manuel Antonio while others are still on the road.

Pros of Using a Private Charter Flight:

• Fastest travel option (it’s possible to be in Quepos within an hour of your international arrival)
• Flexible scheduling to suit your travel plans
• Personalized meet-and-greet service at the airport
• Privacy and comfort of traveling only with your group

Cons of Using a Private Charter Flight:

• Higher upfront cost compared to other transportation options
• Some weight restrictions on excessive luggage (not usually applicable for smaller groups)
• Flights limited to daylight hours
• Smaller aircraft may not suit nervous flyers

Helicopter Transfers to Manuel Antonio

Helicopter transfers offer another premium option for reaching Manuel Antonio directly from SJO. The ride takes about 30-40 minutes, slightly longer than fixed-wing charters, but helicopters offer much more flexibility in where they land.

It’s possible to land at Quepos Airport, but so much easier to land directly in Manuel Antonio itself, where some hotels like Costa Verde have their own helipads. Like charter flights, helicopter services include meet-and-greet assistance at SJO and professional, bilingual pilots who can provide commentary about the passing landscape during your flight.

Pros of Flying to Manuel Antonio by Helicopter:

• Direct landing in Manuel Antonio
• Enjoy the ride! Helicopter transfer is a sightseeing tour in itself
• Private travel experience
• Bilingual pilots providing journey information

Cons of Flying to Santa Teresa by Helicopter:

• Expensive
• Weight restrictions on luggage
• Slightly slower than a charter flight
• Possibility of flight changes due to weather conditions

Flying privately from SJO to Quepos, whether by plane or helicopter, removes all the uncertainty – and lengthiness – of ground transportation. The caveat here, though, is the timing. If you’re planning to fly to the beach, you need to know that these flights operate only during daylight hours, meaning they need to arrive in Quepos by around 5:30 PM at the latest. If your international flight arrives after 4:30 PM, you’ll need to stay near SJO for the night and fly to Quepos the following morning. 

The good news is that morning flights typically experience better weather conditions, especially during the rainy season, making them more reliable than afternoon departures.

Scheduled Domestic Flights to Quepos

Another fast way to reach Manuel Antonio/Quepos from San José is on a scheduled domestic flight. Think of this as a way to combine cost and speed. As Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations, the route between SJO and Quepos is one of the country’s busiest domestic connections. You can expect to find Sansa and Green Airways (the main domestic airlines) operating up to six or seven daily flights between 6:30 AM and 4:30 PM.

The flight time matches that of private charters at around 20 minutes. For solo travelers or small groups who don’t need the full capacity or flexibility of a private charter, these scheduled flights offer substantial time savings for less money.

When booking scheduled flights, timing is crucial – particularly if you’re arriving on an international flight. After clearing immigration and collecting your bags, you’ll exit through arrivals and need to head upstairs to the domestic terminal – a short walk away – to check in. Airlines require check-in at least an hour before departure, so allow at least two to three hours between your international arrival and domestic departure. 

With multiple daily flights available, you have somewhat more flexibility in scheduling.

To make a same-day connection, your international flight should land no later than 1:30 PM to ensure you can make even the latest departures to Quepos. If you’re arriving later than that, consider a private flight (applicable for arriving up until 4:30 PM), traveling by land, or staying in San José for the night.

Upon landing at La Managua Airport, you’re just minutes from both downtown Quepos and the Manuel Antonio area. Taxis are easily available at the airport, and many hotels offer shuttle services for their guests.

One important consideration when flying domestically is luggage allowance. These aircraft are small, which means strict weight limits apply. You can typically check up to 35 lbs of luggage and carry on an additional 10 lbs per person. If you’re planning activities requiring extensive gear or a longer stay with more luggage, you might want to consider alternative transportation options.

Pros of Using Scheduled Flights:

• More affordable than private charters or helicopters (for singles, couples, and small groups)
• Multiple regular daily schedules
• Still much faster than driving

Cons of Using Scheduled Flights:

• Fixed schedules may not align perfectly with your plans
• Potential for delays or cancellations
• Strict luggage restrictions

Land Routes

While flying might be the fastest way to reach Quepos, traveling by road offers its own advantages. Unlike some Costa Rican destinations that require complex routing or ferry crossings, the journey from SJO to Quepos is relatively straightforward, following easy-to-navigate, well-maintained highways for most of the route. For travelers who don’t want to fly, there are several ground transportation options to look at.

Private Transfers

For travelers seeking comfort without flying, private transfers offer door-to-door service from SJO to Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Your professional driver will meet you at arrivals and transport you in an air-conditioned vehicle along Highway 27 and the Costanera Sur (Highway 34). The journey typically takes two and a half to three hours, though traffic can often extend this to four hours or more.

Private transfers are particularly ideal for families or groups with substantial luggage, as there are no weight restrictions to worry about. Your driver will likely act as an informal guide, pointing out interesting sights along the way, and can make stops for meals, photos, or restroom breaks whenever needed. Many travelers enjoy the opportunity to see more of Costa Rica, with chances to spot crocodiles at the Tarcoles Bridge, which you’ll stop at on the way.

Cost varies by group size – smaller groups might find prices surprisingly close to private charter flights, while larger groups often pay similar per-person rates to scheduled flights. Your choice ultimately depends on whether you prefer quick arrival or enjoying the journey and scenery along the way.

Car Rental from SJO to Manuel Antonio

Renting a car for the journey to Quepos offers maximum flexibility and independence. Unlike many Costa Rican beach destinations, the route follows well-maintained highways, making it accessible to standard vehicles – though a higher-clearance vehicle might be worthwhile if you plan to explore beyond the main roads around Manuel Antonio.

The drive is straightforward, following Highway 27 to the coast, then south along the Costanera Sur (Highway 34) to Quepos. Good signage and reliable navigation apps like Waze make this one of Costa Rica’s easier routes. While it’s one of the country’s better roads for night driving, we recommend making your first journey during daylight hours. If you’re driving straight from SJO, try to arrive by early afternoon.

Car rental also provides great value for longer stays, as you’ll have transportation for exploring the Central Pacific’s many attractions. You can take day trips up to Esterillos and Jacó or down to Dominical if you have a car. If you’re staying local, though, remember that parking can be difficult in both Quepos and Manuel Antonio during peak tourist seasons.

Shared Shuttles

If you want a cheaper way of getting to the Quepos area from San José, shared shuttle transfers could be the way to go. Interbus runs twice-daily services to Quepos/Manuel Antonio, with comfortable, air-conditioned vans that accommodate up to eight passengers. The service offers door-to-door convenience, including SJO Airport pickups, with departures from San José at approximately 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. If you’re using this service directly from an international flight, you’ll need to arrive by around noon at the latest to coordinate your shared shuttle or stay in San José to travel the next day. 

The journey takes about three an a half to four hours, including pickups and a rest stop. Each passenger can bring one carry-on and one large suitcase, with extra luggage possible for an additional fee if arranged in advance. At around $60 per person, it’s comparable to scheduled flight prices. Advance booking is essential, especially during high season.

Public Bus

For budget-conscious travelers or those seeking an authentic local experience, public buses provide the cheapest route to Quepos. Tracopa operates frequent daily service between San José and Quepos/Manuel Antonio, with multiple departures throughout the day.

If you’re planning to get the bus directly from your international flight arrival, you’ll need to plan a bit, because SJO Airport is actually in Alajuela, and you need to first reach the Tracopa Bus Terminal in downtown San José. This is best done by taxi or Uber and takes 25-45 minutes depending on traffic.

At Tracopa, you can buy tickets for the next available bus to Quepos. There are two types of service: direct buses and “collectivos“. Direct buses are preferable as they don’t make pick up and drop off stops along the route. Tickets cost around $10, and the journey typically takes about four hours, including a 15-minute rest stop halfway (note there are no onboard toilets).

The schedule is extensive, with buses departing from around 6:00 AM until 7:30 PM. Some buses terminate in Quepos while others continue to Manuel Antonio – ask which bus is which. The final stop in Manuel Antonio is about ten minutes after Quepos. If you get off in Quepos, you can either get a taxi to Manuel Antonio or wait around for another bus.

Returning from Quepos to SJO

When it’s time to leave Quepos, you have the same transportation options in reverse, but timing becomes crucial, especially if you have an international flight to catch. With scheduled flights operating up to seven times daily during daylight hours, flying remains the most reliable option for making same-day international connections, though early morning departures will require returning to San José the night before.

For ground transportation, whether by private transfer, rental car, or shared shuttle, it’s essential to factor in San José’s notorious rush hour traffic (7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-7:00 PM). Plan to leave Quepos at least five to six hours before your international departure to ensure you meet the three-hour check-in requirement at SJO. While shared shuttles offer scheduled morning and afternoon departures, and public buses run frequently throughout the day, these options are better suited for travelers with flexible schedules or those planning to stay in San José before flying out.

Regardless of your chosen method, advance planning is essential, especially during peak tourist seasons. Though the distance isn’t great, Costa Rica’s unpredictable traffic conditions mean you should always allow extra time for international connections. For peace of mind, consider returning to San José the day before your departure if you have an early morning flight.

How To Get from SJO to Quepos Comparison Chart

Travel Option	Travel Time	Flexibility	Luggage	Cost	Comfort Level
Private Charter Flights	~45 min (25 min flight + 20 min ground transfer)	High	Varies by aircraft, generally flexible	$$$$ (High)	High
Helicopter Transfers	~40 min (flight)	High	Limited by weight restrictions	$$$$ (Very High)	Very High
Scheduled Domestic Flights	~90 min (60 min check-in + 25 min flight)	Moderate (multiple daily flights)	35 lbs checked, 10 lbs carry-on	$$ (Moderate)	Moderate
Private Transfers	2.5-3.5 hours	Moderate	Unlimited (vehicle dependent)	$$$ (Moderate-High)	High
Car Rental	2.5-3.5 hours	High	Unlimited (vehicle dependent)	$$-$$$ (Moderate)	Moderate
Shared Shuttles	4 hours	None (fixed schedule)	Limited (one suitcase + carry-on)	$ (Low)	Moderate
Public Bus	4-5 hours (including transfer to terminal)	None (fixed schedule)	Limited	$ (Very Low)	Low

Frequently Asked Questions