In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 220 kilometre distance from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 3 ways to get from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transfer. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $13. The fastest route is by private transfer (4h 30m).
Click a column header to sort. Click a row to jump to the full guide.
4h 30m
$276
--
5h
$51
--
6h
$13
--
Stay Connected
We're a small team of passionate travellers sharing what we've learned on the road. Get our best tips, route updates, and travel stories delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Travelling by bus will be exhausting because there are no direct buses from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. You’ll have to take 4 buses. And when you include all the waiting time at the bus stations, the entire journey will take close to 6 hours 30 minutes! On the other hand, the prices of this bus journey only cost around $13.
While the bus is hands down the cheapest way to travel this route, it’s also the least convenient. But if budget is your priority, we got you covered. Just read on for a step-by-step guide on how to take a bus from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio.
The direct minivan is our recommended option for solo travellers. With a minivan, you will be picked up from your accommodation in La Fortuna and dropped off at your hotel in Manuel Antonio. You won’t have anything to worry about during the 5h - 5h 30m journey. Minivan fares start from $51.
Paradise Shuttle Costa Rica, RideCR and Interbus are some of the popular companies offering minivan rides for this route. All of them get great reviews so you can expect a comfortable ride from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio.
Just keep in mind that the driver will pick up and drop off many other passengers along the way and it may add to the travel time.
If you’re in a group, taking a private transfer is a cost-efficient way to travel from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. Rates start from $276 for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 46 USD per person. Not a bad rate for a door-to-door transfer!
The journey from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio by private transfer takes around 4h 30m - 6h. You can arrange a taxi ride through your hotel or you can book a private transfer through BookAway.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Manuel Antonio is a popular national park and beach town in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas Province. It boasts a diverse rainforest, which is home to a great variety of flora and fauna. You'll find here white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, and a whole variety of wildlife.
You can spend days without running out of things to do in Manuel Antonio — from chasing waterfalls to going on a catamaran cruise. But the town's main draw is actually its beaches — white sand, turquoise waters — the perfect ending after hiking through its jungle.
Every route on GeckoRoutes is independently researched and regularly verified.
500+
ROUTES RESEARCHED
Every route is personally traveled and documented by our team, covering Southeast Asia's most popular and off-the-beaten-path connections.
Monthly
UPDATES
Routes are reviewed on a regular cycle to catch schedule changes, new operators, and price updates. Every guide shows when it was last verified.
Verified
BY TRAVELERS
Tips and corrections from our community of travelers help keep routes accurate between team visits. Your experience makes this guide better for everyone.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep GeckoRoutes free and up to date.
Carbon Footprint
This 220 km journey produces approximately 20 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Treat YourselfYou can’t really ask for a better location in Manuel Antonio than this one. Millennium Hotel is only 100 metres from Manuel Antonio National Park! That also means that you’re super close to the beach.
The hotel has its own outdoor swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing swim after walking around the national park. The rooms are spacious and offer everything you could need during your stay. A delicious breakfast is also offered for free in a nearby restaurant.
Treat YourselfTico Tico Villas tick all the boxes. Swimming pool, beautifully designed rooms and a cosy terrace area surrounded by nature. The location of the hotel is also great! All your needs will be fulfilled here.
Especially thanks to the friendly and helpful staff who will make your stay perfect. You can even enjoy a BBQ as there are facilities available in the hotel.
Mid-RangePeace of Paradise feels exactly that. All you have to do to see wildlife is sit on your balcony and wait. Before long, you may be able to see monkeys, toucans, birds and maybe a sloth passing by.
The rooms are large and spacious, offering their own kitchen facilities. You can make yourself a coffee or cook a full-blown meal. The hotel has a great location in Manuel Antonio though, not far from bars and restaurants which may be more tempting than cooking your own meals.
BudgetWhether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or in a group, Hostel Plinio will suit your needs. There are both dorms and private rooms available, depending on what you’re looking for.
With the outdoor swimming pool and onsite Mexican restaurant, the place feels more like a mini-resort than a hostel. The breakfast in the morning will set you up perfectly for the day ahead, especially the delicious gallo pinto. And don’t forget to try out their tacos!
Leave a Comment