The roads in Costa Rica are generally pretty good and improvements are always underway. However, accurate road signs and an occasional disregard for the rules of the road on the part of fellow travelers can make navigation around the country a challenge for international drivers.

Private Van & Driver

With the new highway, the drive from San José to Manuel Antonio is roughly 3 hours. We can arrange a private van with a driver for about $170-$220 per trip (plus 13% Value Added Tax (VAT), depending on the number of passengers. It’s a great ride; much easier and safer than driving yourself. We can also arrange private van trips to other destinations like Arenal or the Osa Peninsula.

Shared Shuttles & Buses
The most economical way to reach Manuel Antonio, if you have the time and patience, is via the Shared Shuttle or national bus services. The travel time is a little longer than with a private van and driver, but the real trade-off comes in the flexibility of your itinerary. You’ll need to have an arrival and departure time that is compatible with their pick-up time. In each case, there’s one rest-break halfway through the journey.

Getting Around Tulemar
If you’re staying in Tulemar, you’ll have access to the free shuttle that operates within the resort, from the front gates to the beach and many points in between. Taxis will come right to your door in Tulemar and pick you up for a trip to the store, Quepos, the National Park or out for dinner. There is also a bus stop located right outside the gates of Tulemar (about 90 cents to Quepos or the National Park). We can also arrange for a private van/driver to take you wherever you would like to go. If you would like a rental car, we can have one delivered to you.

After a long, international flight, it can be very stressful and time consuming, picking up a rental car and finding your way to Manuel Antonio, especially at night.

If you really want a rental car, we suggest renting one with a GPS at the San José airport or we can arrange to have one delivered to you upon your arrival in Manuel Antonio.

A personal note from Tulemar Dave: I truly dislike most of the car rental companies in Costa Rica, except for one, Adobe Rent a Car. Most others, from the worldwide companies to the Costa Rican ones, do two things that are very disturbing; they will “hard sell” you to buy all the extra insurance coverage they can, no matter if you have an “elite status” with the company or what coverage you have with your credit cards or insurance company. They will not let up until you make the purchase, even threatening not to rent you the car. This transaction will take one hour. Count on it. No express service here. Upon returning the car, it will take 45 minutes for them to inspect it, close the contract and to get back to the airport. Only Adobe has proven to us that, besides the mandatory LDW (by all companies in Costa Rica), the other additional insurance coverages are truly an option and you will not leave angry. The transaction will be a little quicker as well. For reservations, information and preferred rates, just click here.