How to Get from SJO Airport to Manuel Antonio by Bus: Step-by-Step Guide (2025)

manuel antonio cliff — Views from a hike in Manuel Antonio National Park

If you’re landing at San José International Airport (SJO) and planning to head straight to Manuel Antonio, taking the public bus is by far the cheapest option. For just over $30 USD total, you can get from the airport to one of Costa Rica’s most famous beach towns—if you’re prepared for a bit of patience and planning.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps I took, what I wish I had known ahead of time, and tips to make it easier for you.

Quick Overview: SJO to Manuel Antonio by Bus

Step	Details
Clear immigration and customs	~30 minutes to 1 hour+ wait
Airport to San José Bus Station	Uber/taxi (~$20 USD, 30–40 minutes)
Bus Ticket	~$11 USD (cash only)
Total Travel Time	6–8 hours door-to-door, depends on how long you have to wait at the bus station
Bus Company	Tracopa

Step 1: Navigating SJO Airport (Immigration, Customs & Delays)

My journey started with a 2+ hour flight delay in Miami. Once I landed, it took me about 30 minutes to clear immigration, but I met other travelers who waited well over an hour.

After immigration:

Bathroom lines were long: I waited over 10 minutes.
ATM situation: One ATM was broken, and the line for the working machine was long. If you can, bring some cash (USD or CRC) with you from home. USD is widely accepted across Costa Rica. This was odd to me as I haven’t been anywhere like that before.

By the time I grabbed my bag, got some cash, and made it outside, I was already cutting it close for the bus.

sunset in manuel antonio — The night I arrived there was the most incredible sunset over the water. There were some great views from the bus, but a blurry picture through a window would’ve never done it justice., so this one is from Manuel Antonio town later on.

Step 2: Getting an Uber or Taxi from SJO to Tracopa Bus Station

You’ll need to get from the airport to Tracopa Bus Station in downtown San José to catch your bus. Here’s what I learned the hard way:

Uber pickup tip: At first I thought I must’ve accidentally chosen “Departures,” but I think all ubers go to Departures because there aren’t police up there. Once you’re outside, there’s no easy way to get up a level. You have to walk down the road (in the direction of traffic) and up a ramp to meet the driver.
Cost: About $20 USD via Uber; similar price for a taxi (but you’ll need to negotiate upfront). Beat is also a good app, but you’ll need to pay cash.
Travel time: 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.

If your flight is delayed or you spend a lot of time clearing immigration (like I did), you could miss your intended bus. I missed mine by 1 minute and had to wait over an hour and a half for the next departure.

Step 3: Buying Your Ticket at Tracopa Station

tracopa bus — *I took the 4:45pm bus from San Jose to Manuel Antonio*

Once at Tracopa, buy your bus ticket at the counter. They do have an app called Passer, but I couldn’t get it to work. Try downloading and making your account in the US first. I wasn’t able to confirm my number in order to complete the account setup.

Cost: ~$11 USD
Payment: Cash only. U.S. dollars are accepted, but you’ll get change in Costa Rican colones (which was actually great for me to have some local cash, plus the give you the real exchange rate so it’s not like you’re getting ripped off).
Tickets: First-come, first-served—get there early during busy times. I had no problem on a Saturday afternoon during a holiday weekend, though.

San Jose - Manuel Antonio bus schedule — *Bus schedule between Manuel Antonio and San Jose*

You can also check Tracopa’s website in case of any schedule changes here.

Things to Know About the Station:

No Wi-Fi
No ATM
Basic snacks and drinks available

Once I got to the bus station I asked around for an ATM. There is none nearby and I had to walk about 5 blocks away. The concessions man told me to “be careful” which is never what you want to hear. The walk, while not nice, didn’t feel unsafe, though.

When I finally got to the ATM, I realized I brought an expired debit card, so between that, the flight delay, and missed bus, this trip was really off to a great start. Side note: days later my birding guide recommended I use Western Union. Lifesaver!! I transferred myself money and picked it up when I was back in San Jose.

Step 4: The Bus Ride to Manuel Antonio

The bus ride itself is straightforward:

Duration: ~3.5 to 4 hours
Stops: Most buses stop in Quepos, the town next to Manuel Antonio; some continue on to Manuel Antonio.
Amenities: Air-conditioned, luggage stored underneath, assigned seating
Rest stops: Yes, for snacks and bathrooms about and hour and a half into the trip.

From Quepos, you can take a taxi or local bus to your hotel. These run all the time.

Bus schedule between manuel antonio and quepos — *Buses run all the time between Quepos and Manuel Antonio*

Budget Breakdown

Expense	Cost (USD)
Uber from SJO to bus station	~$20
Bus ticket San José → Manuel Antonio	~$11 (it’s $8 if you go to Quepos)
Total	~$31

Pro Tips to Avoid Delays

Double-check your Uber pickup point when requesting a ride.
Check Tracopa schedules online and plan buffer time for flight delays and immigration.
Download offline maps and entertainment (no Wi-Fi at the station or on the bus).
Arrive during the day if possible; the last bus is at 7:30 pm so any mid to late afternoon flight arrivals would be cutting it close.

Why the Bus Is Worth It

Despite the hiccups, taking the bus saved me over $100 compared to a shuttle. With a little patience and planning, this is a budget traveler’s best option for getting from San José Airport to Manuel Antonio.

It is possible to take a bus from the airport and then walk 20 minutes to the Tracopa station. I decided it wasn’t worth it, personally.