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
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- 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
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
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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
Doug Dodson says
If I just want to go from Jaco to Hermosa Beach, any problem with taking this bus? Also, how would I catch it from Hermosa Beach back to Jaco. One more question…….can you take a surf board on this bus?
Sammi says
From what I remember, you can have them stop at the entrance of Hermosa off the main road Route 34 but I don’t remember if it went all the way into Hermosa on the beach. Buses usually have a storage compartment on the bottom so the driver may allow you to store your board under there, or if there is enough room in the bus, you can try to ask the driver if you can take it in with you
Nicole says
Hi,
My family will be staying in Bejuco by Esterillos Este. Are there bus stops along the way so we can get off there? I’m not sure we need to rent a car if the bus is so easy? Also, do you have any info on Private drivers? We would like to do a night jungle tour and I’m not sure the buses run later?
Your information was very helpful.
Kind regards
Nicole
Sammi says
Hi Nicole, having a car in Bejuco will be the best because there is a bus that goes up and down the Costa Nera sur highway but they do not run at night and they are not often. Additionally there isn’t much around Bejuco in terms of full size supermarkets and many of the good restaurants are outside so having a car will be best otherwise you will be pretty stuck in Bejuco since it’s a small town and everything is very spread out in that area.
Katia says
Hi, currently in Costa Rica planning out an itinerary. Do you think these bus times and itinerary is still accurate? Thank you so much!
Sammi says
Hi Katia, they should be but you can check the Terminal 7-10 for official times: http://terminal7-10.com/es/rutas/jaco/
jacqui says
When taking the local bus from Jaco to Quepos, then changing buses to MA, do we just get on and pay the driver? Then on the way back from MA to Quepos, pay the driver? But once in Quepos we need to purchase a ticket to return to Jaco? Is this correct? We will be traveling there in May.
Sammi says
From Quepos to MA, you pay the driver when you get on board, same thing when you go MA to Quepos. Then from Quepos to Jaco, you need to purchase the ticket at the window.
Jason D Lehman says
Thanks so much!!! I’ve been using this for my travels through Costa Rica. Couldn’t do it without the help found here!
Sammi says
Hi Jason, you’re very welcome and glad it’s been helpful! Enjoy Costa Rica 🙂
Jamie says
Hey Jojo,
I’ve been in Costa Rica since earlier last week and have found your website to be full of insightful tips. I am currently in Jaco and planning on going to Manuel Antonio park and staying at the hostel Selina Manuel Antonio for 2 nights (its 5km away from Quepos bus station). I plan to take the public transport like you say via Quepos – just wondering if the bus stops on the way from Quepos to the park? Be great if I could stop it outside the hostel.
Thanks
Sammi says
HI Jamie, the bus does stop on the way to Quepos from the park a few times. You can ask the driver to stop at Selina Hostel and he’ll drop you off close to it as he can get.
Jojo says
Thanks so much for this detailed post. I just returned from Costa Rica and this post and the one about Jaco to San Jose were a great help to me and my friends. We were able to travel with ease using your information and our very limited Spanish.
Thanks!!
Sammi says
Hi Jojo, I’m so glad to hear that! I hope you guys had a great time in Costa Rica!
Sammi says
Hi Robin, glad the post helped! I wrote a post of how to take the bus from SJ to Jaco and vice versa you can see here: San Jose bus to Playa Jaco
You will need to buy your tickets to SJ before hand.
Robin says
Many thanks for this blog. I took the bus(s) from MA to Jaco today. It was exactly as easy as you suggested. I was in a bit of a panic before I found you blog.
THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Can you share how to return from Jaco to SJ. Actually I’m staying in La Garita.
The bus station location?
Times?
Brendon says
Hi there,
What a great Blog! Super informative! I am wondering if you can also catch a bus from Playa Hermosa, or some of the other small towns between Jaco and Manuel Antonio.
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Brendon, you can stop and get off the bus along the route from Jaco to Manuel Antonio, a ton of locals use this route to go from home to work. Most people take a taxi from Jaco to Hermosa but it’s I think around $20