One of the best day trips from Jaco is to Manuel Antonio National Park. This national park is one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica with hiking trails, white sand beaches and abundant wildlife. Even though Jaco and Manuel Antonio are only about 70 kilometers apart (43 miles), the beaches are very different.
If you can only visit the park as a day trip from Jaco, you can easily visit by public bus if you are on a budget. I visited the national park by myself by bus from Jaco and it was one of the easiest trips I’ve ever taken using public transportation in Costa Rica. I was traveling alone and felt very safe as a female solo visitor when taking this bus.
Here is our guide on taking the bus from Playa Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park. This guide is also useful if you are moving from Jaco to Quepos or Manuel Antonio by bus.
Quick Facts About the Bus from Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park
First thing you have to know about taking the bus from Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park is that you need to take 2 buses: the first from Jaco to Quepos and then the second from Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park. Quepos is the bigger local city right by Manuel Antonio, the small coastal village that is the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Jaco to Quepos duration: ~1.5 hours (makes stops along the way).
Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park duration: ~15-20 minutes. Makes stops along the way.
Bus fare: 1565 colones (~3 USD) per regular passenger. 1175 colones for seniors (~$2.25 USD). Must pay in cash to the driver when you get on the bus in local currency. Cannot purchase bus fare online.
Getting on the Bus from Jaco to Quepos
The bus company that runs this route is called Transportes Quepos Puntarenas (T.Q.P).
As I was living in Costa Linda Condos in Jaco which is actually just a 5 minute walk to the Jaco bus terminal, I got on the bus there.
This bus comes from Puntarenas and will stop at this bus terminal in Jaco. On Google Maps, it is called “Bus Stop to Puntarenas – TQP.” It is the same place where you take the Jaco bus to San Jose.
You’ll recognize the bus as it says T.Q.P.(Transporte Quepos Puntarenas) on it.
Bus Schedule from Jaco to Quepos
The bus from Jaco to Quepos leaves at 6 AM, 630 AM, 830 AM, 1030 AM, 1130 AM, 1230 PM, 2 PM, 330 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM and 730 PM.
Bus Fare
The bus ticket costs 1565 colones (~$3 USD) per regular passenger and 1175 colones for seniors (~$2.25 USD).
You will pay your ticket to the driver when you get on the bus. Cash only in local currency. It’s OK if you don’t have exact change, the bus driver will give you change back. However, we do recommend to pay in coins or small bills like 1000 and 2000 CRC bills. Don’t pay in 10,000 or 20,000 CRC bills.
Learn more about handling money in Costa Rica here.
Arriving in Quepos and Getting to Manuel Antonio National Park
The bus ride from Jaco to Quepos is approximately 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and how many stops it makes.
You’ll arrive at the Quepos bus station which is the last stop so you have to get off. Then you will get on a different bus from Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park at the same station.
These buses are white and will say “Quepos – Manuel Antonio National Park” on the front.
Bus fare from Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park: The cost for this ride is 380 colones per passenger. You will pay in cash to the bus driver when you get on, local currency only. The bus driver will give you back change if necessary.
This bus starts running at 530 AM every 15 minutes or so. It will go through the Manuel Antonio hill all the way to the roundabout near the beach.
The last stop will be at the roundabout. This bus does NOT go all the way to the direct entrance of the national park.
After you get off at the roundabout, you have to walk on the “Beach Trail” to the national park entrance. This walk takes about 5 minutes.
You will know you’re at the park entrance as you’ll see a big gate, lots of people, lots of local vendors and the park ranger station to enter. IMPORTANT! All visitors must purchase park tickets BEFOREHAND. They do not sell park tickets at the door. The website to buy park tickets is on the Sinac website.
Enjoy Your Time at the Park
You can read our full guide to Manuel Antonio National Park in the link to plan your visit. I spent the day hiking the park on my own and I was able to do most of the trails in one day.
There is a small cafeteria inside the park but I highly recommend to bring your own insulated water bottle to have cold water, a microfiber towel and sunscreen. You can visit the park in hiking sandals, the trails are well laid out and marked, you cannot get lost!
If you decide to visit the park on your own without a guide, keep your eyes open for wildlife. When I saw a lot of people stopped, looking at something in the trees, I’d kinda hang around and look in the trees to see what they’re looking at.
If you’re hungry after your park visit, there is a local restaurant right outside the entrance called Bar & Restaurant El Chante del Parque that was very tasty with reasonable prices.
There are lots of restaurants on the path from the park to the beach. You can also do some shopping as there are any local vendors and souvenir stores too.
Hiring a Guide for the Park
If you want to hire a guide for a guided naturalist walk, it’s very easy to find one. There are a LOT of guides at the park entrance.
When you’re walking to the park entrance, many of them will come up to you and offer their services. You can hire one of them if you would like to see wildlife or learn more about the flora and fauna.
Last time I was there, they were charging me about $20-25 USD for a 2 hour walk (no park ticket or anything included, just guiding services).
Make sure to ask the guide to see their ICT certification badge that should have their ID number, the ICT logo and photo so you know they are legit certified guides.
Taking the Bus from Manuel Antonio National Park Back to Jaco
When you’re ready to go back or when you have to leave because the park is closed (everyone has to be out of the park by 4 PM), it is the exact same process to get back to Jaco by bus.
You will need to walk back to the same bus stop by the roundabout at the beach to get the bus back to Quepos.
The cost is the same, 380 colones to be paid to the driver and you will get off at the same Quepos bus terminal.
Then, you need to buy your ticket to Jaco at the ticket window counter – you do not pay the bus driver. The bus fare is 1565 colones (~$3 USD) per regular passenger and 1175 colones for seniors (~$2.25 USD).
Bus Schedule from Quepos to Jaco
The bus leaves Quepos to Jaco at 435 AM, 530 AM, 630 AM, 730 AM, 930 AM, 11 AM, 1230 PM, 2 PM, 330 PM, 430 PM and 6 PM.
You will board the bus when you hear the driver yell “Jaco.” Give him the copy of the ticket and take your seat.
You can stay all the way to the Playa Jaco bus station or get off in downtown since it will make several stops on the main boulevard through Jaco.
Wrap Up
As you can see, taking the bus from Playa Jaco to Manuel Antonio National Park is straightforward, easy and cheap. Just remember that the park closes at 4 PM so keep an eye on your time. The last bus back from Quepos to Jaco is at 6 PM.
We highly recommend to get to the national park early to enjoy the full day there. The park is open from 7 AM to 4 PM, closed Tuesdays.
Thinking about visiting Jaco? Read our Jaco travel guide here!
Coming to Manuel Antonio from somewhere else? Find out how to get to Manuel Antonio from San Jose, La Fortuna, Guanacaste and more.
More Costa Rica Travel Posts
Taking the bus from San Jose to Playas del Coco
Costa Rica wildlife watching guide
Best hotels near San Jose International Airport
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
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- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
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Cindy W. says
Sammie, as there is no longer a bus station near Costa Linda, where do I catch the TQP bus from Jaco to Quepos?
Sammi says
I know it stops in several places throughout town, I remember one in front of the Mas x menos.
Jamie says
Thanks for detailed instructions for busses from Jaco to Manuel Antonio Park! My wife and I were looking for a more economical way to get there. With your great advice we’re going to try for Monday. Also, thanks for tip on ticket pre-purchase.
Sammi says
Hi Jamie, glad to help. Have a great time. The bus is very convenient!
Sandy says
Hello, Can you take the bus from Quepos to Jaco with luggage or is that a pain to do?
Sammi says
Yes you can it is possible. The bus should have a storage compartment on the bottom which you’ll give your luggage to the driver and he’ll store it and give you a ticket. I am pretty sure the Puntarenas-Quepos line offers this.
Melissa says
Do you know if you see more wildlife at Manuel Antonio park at the 7:30 or 12:00 tour?
Thank you!
Sammi says
You can see wildlife both times but normally animals sleep during the hottest part of the day which is noon