On this page (7 sections)
Which car? Any car
Fully paved. An economy car or sedan is fine. Main roads: Quepos → Route 34 (Costanera Sur) → Dominical → Uvita.
From Manuel Antonio to Uvita is an easy hour on the Costanera, through oil palm plantations and then along a spectacular stretch of coast after Dominical.
Step-by-step directions
- 1
Quepos to Route 34
Descend to Quepos and rejoin the Costanera heading south.
- 2
Dominical and Uvita
Continue along the coast to Uvita.
Tolls, fuel & road facts
| Main roads | Quepos → Route 34 (Costanera Sur) → Dominical → Uvita |
|---|---|
| Tolls | No tolls on this route. |
| Fuel | Quepos, Dominical and Uvita. |
| River crossings | None — all rivers are bridged. |
| Real vs. Google | 1h – 1h 20m in practice vs. 1h 20m on Google Maps, without stops. |
Hazards to know before you go
- Afternoon downpours in rainy season.
- Speed cameras.
Stops worth making
- Dominical
Surf town for lunch.
- Nauyaca Waterfalls
Detour from Dominical.
Local tips
- Check low tide for the Whale's Tail at Marino Ballena.
FAQ: Manuel Antonio to Uvita
How far is Uvita from Manuel Antonio?
About 67 km, 1 hour to 1h 20m.
Connecting routes
San José (SJO) to Manuel Antonio & Quepos
An easy, fully paved 3-hour drive on Route 27 and the Costanera coastal highway, with a crocodile-bridge stop on the…
Route guide →
San José (SJO) to Uvita & Marino Ballena
Down the Costanera to the whale-tail beach: about 3.5 hours on smooth, paved roads. One of the most scenic drives…
Route guide →
Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Down from the cloud forest to the beach: about 4–5 hours via Route 606, Route 27 and the Costanera. All…
Route guide →
Jacó to Manuel Antonio
A flat, easy hour south on the Costanera through palm plantations.
Route guide →