The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the city of Manuel Antonio, approximately 156 Kms (96 miles) SW of the San José International Airport (approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes). Close to restaurants, supermarkets, banks and more. Most importantly, we are located just 1.5 miles from Manuel Antonio National Park and the hotel offers a shuttle service to / from the beach 4 times a day, free of charge.

The closest city is the world famous sport fishing port city of Quepos, which is located approximately 150 Kms (93 miles) SW of San José. We are talking about 2 ½ hours by car or 3 hours by direct bus. Manuel Antonio is the name of the small beach town that has sprung up around the National Park and is 5 km (3 miles) further south from Quepos. Only one main highway leads from the city of Quepos up and over the hill to the beaches of Manuel Antonio. Buses and taxis run regularly back and forth between the two destinations.

How to get here with driving directions

From San José International Airport

The drive from San José Airport (Juan Santamaría International Airport) to Manuel Antonio will take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes and is fully paved with the new highway in place. Drive defensively and be aware that when two lanes become one, “CEDA” means “Yield.”

Once on Route 1 (Inter-American Highway), follow the signs to San Ramón and continue straight for about 10 km. After the second crossing of the bridge, take the right lane and take the next exit (Route 3) towards Jaco / Quepos / Manuel Antonio. There is also a sign here for Punta Leona and Atenas. Turn left at the stop sign, crossing onto Route 1.

Follow Route 3 for approximately 3 km. Look for a large Christian church on the left then a soccer field and turn left onto the road immediately after it. There are no signs and it is a secondary road, so don’t think you have made a mistake. It is currently the best connection to the highway from the airport.

Drive for another 3 km through this somewhat winding road. Once you reach the freeway intersection, turn left BEFORE the road. Again, no signs here yet. Be careful as it is a narrow two way gravel access road. After about 300 meters you will come to a roundabout. Turn right following the signs for Orotina / Atenas.

Drive on the highway through 2 toll booths. Then, take the next exit on the right onto Route 34; follow the signs for Jaco / Quepos. This exit forms a loop and then bypasses a roundabout to continue directly towards Jaco (another 36 km).

Follow Route 34 (also called Costanera) for a while and you will cross the Tárcoles River Bridge; there are usually a few cars parked before / after the bridge as it is a popular viewing point for crocodiles in and around the river.

Follow the signs for Jaco and Manuel Antonio. In 157.6 km, you will come to a “Y” on the road. You will see a sign with Quepos, Manuel Antonio turning right.

Once in Quepos, you will pass many small shops. The path turns into a lane and you have to turn left just after passing a small park. You will see signs pointing to Manuel Antonio. Now you are leaving Quepos and you are on the road to Manuel Antonio.

This is the beginning of a curvy mountain road (very steep at times). Follow this road for about 10 minutes, until you come to a flat area. You will see another soccer field on your left and about 100 meters later, a supermarket called SUPER JOSETH. Continue on the main road. The road will go down gently until you reach a restaurant called BARBA ROJA (on the right side of the road). 50 meters after this restaurant, you will see a cafe on your left called CAFÉ MILAGRO. IMMEDIATELY on your right hand side is the dirt road that leads to Hotel La Mariposa.

After 50 meters on this road, you will see the hotel door on your left.