Driving in Central Pacific

The closest beaches to San José: Jacó and Manuel Antonio, both on the smooth Costanera Sur highway (Route 34). It's the easiest beach drive in the country, fully paved with tolls on Route 27, so a regular car is fine all year.

Any car

Manuel Antonio & Quepos

Monkeys on the beach, jungle meeting the Pacific, and an easy paved drive from San José.

✈ SJO (3h) ☾ 2–3 nights

Any car

Jacó

The closest real beach town to San José — surf, nightlife and an easy first or last night.

✈ SJO (1.5–2h) ☾ 1–2 nights

Routes to Central Pacific

Any car

San José (SJO) to Manuel Antonio & Quepos

2h 45m – 3h 30m 165 km

An easy, fully paved 3-hour drive on Route 27 and the Costanera coastal highway, with a crocodile-bridge stop on the…

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Any car

San José (SJO) to Jacó

1h 30m – 2h 86 km

The shortest beach drive from the capital: about 1.5–2 hours on Route 27 and the Costanera. Fully paved, any car…

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SUV recommended

Monteverde to Manuel Antonio

4h – 5h 195 km

Down from the cloud forest to the beach: about 4–5 hours via Route 606, Route 27 and the Costanera. All…

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Any car

Jacó to Manuel Antonio

1h – 1h 20m 71 km

A flat, easy hour south on the Costanera through palm plantations.

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