RIU Guanacaste Hotel / RIU Palace Hotel (Guanacaste) → Manuel Antonio / Quepos
Next: pick vehicle, date, passengers & pickup details
A private shuttle from RIU Guanacaste to Manuel Antonio with Ruta Pacifico costs $425 per vehicle for 1–5 passengers, $480 per vehicle for 6–9 passengers and $580 per vehicle for 10–12 passengers, USD, 13% VAT included. The drive takes about 6 hours 30 minutes, door to door. Pickup is at the door of your hotel, villa or rental in RIU Guanacaste, at the time you choose. The price is the same any day or hour of the year and includes the driver, fuel, tolls, WiFi, bottled water and child seats. Book online; nothing is paid at pickup.
Prices updated October 2026
Choose vehicle & trip details
Pick the vehicle for your group, the date and time, and tell us where to meet you.
Private shuttle vs. shared shuttle, taxi and rental car: RIU Guanacaste to Manuel Antonio
How the four ways of making this trip compare. Only the private shuttle column is a price we publish and guarantee.
| Criterion | Private shuttle (this page) | Shared shuttle | Taxi / ride-hailing | Rental car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $425 per vehicle (1–5 passengers), fixed and published | Per seat: the total grows with every passenger | Metered or negotiated at the curb; not fixed | Daily rate plus insurance, fuel, deposit and parking |
| Departure time | Your time, 24/7, no night surcharge | Fixed timetable | On availability | Yours |
| Route | Direct, door to door | Several hotel stops or a change of van at a hub | Direct | Self-drive: navigation and road conditions are on you |
| Who is on board | Only your group | Other travellers | Only your group | Only your group |
| Flight tracking | Included | Not usually | No | Not applicable |
| Child seats | Free, installed before pickup | Varies | Rarely available | Daily surcharge |
Travel notes: Manuel AntonioWhat to expect, the ride from RIU Guanacaste, local tips and related routes
About Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's most visited national park: white-sand coves backed by rain forest where sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys and hundreds of bird species are seen on almost every walk. The hillside road between Quepos town and the park entrance is lined with hotels, restaurants and sunset viewpoints over the Pacific.
It is a long haul from Guanacaste, but a classic combination for travellers finishing at San José Airport, and an easy 3-hour run from SJO itself.
The ride from RIU Guanacaste
From San José the drive is about 3 hours on Route 27 and the coastal highway through Jacó. From Liberia Airport or the Guanacaste beaches allow 5 to 5.5 hours; the road is paved the whole way with a lunch stop on the coast at Jacó or Parrita. From La Fortuna it is roughly 4.5 hours. Your driver takes you to your hotel door, even on the steep hillside streets where taxis hesitate.
Good to know before you arrive
- The national park is closed on Tuesdays and limits daily visitors; buy tickets online in advance.
- Hire a guide with a scope at the park entrance: you will see five times more wildlife.
- Never leave food unattended on the beach; the monkeys and raccoons are professionals.
- Quepos town, 15 minutes away, has the cheaper restaurants and the Saturday farmers' market.
Related private shuttles
- Return trip: Manuel Antonio / Quepos → RIU Guanacaste Hotel / RIU Palace Hotel (Guanacaste)from $425
- LIR - Liberia Int. Airport → Manuel Antonio / Queposfrom $380
- SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport → Manuel Antonio / Queposfrom $215
- RIU Guanacaste Hotel / RIU Palace Hotel (Guanacaste) → LIR - Liberia Int. Airportfrom $120
- RIU Guanacaste Hotel / RIU Palace Hotel (Guanacaste) → SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airportfrom $350
- La Fortuna (Arenal) → Manuel Antonio / Queposfrom $319
- Monteverde (Cloud Forest) → Manuel Antonio / Queposfrom $305
- Conchal (Guanacaste) → Manuel Antonio / Queposfrom $415
- Flamingo (Guanacaste) → Manuel Antonio / Queposfrom $415
Questions about RIU Guanacaste to Manuel AntonioDuration, price, meeting point, stops, child seats, delays and cancellations
- How long does the private shuttle from RIU Guanacaste to Manuel Antonio take?
- About 6 hours 30 minutes door to door. That is a realistic figure for Costa Rican roads, not the fastest time a map app shows. The service is direct, with no other passengers, so there are no detours to drop anyone else off.
- How much does a private shuttle from RIU Guanacaste to Manuel Antonio cost?
- $425 for 1 to 5 passengers, $480 for 6 to 9 passengers and $580 for 10 to 12 passengers, per vehicle. The price is per vehicle, not per person, and includes the driver, fuel, tolls and 13% VAT. There is nothing to pay at pickup.
- Do you have availability between December 20 and January 2?
- Yes, for groups of 1 to 5 passengers. Every vehicle for 6 or more passengers is already fully booked for travel dates between December 20 and January 2, on every route, and we never overbook: each confirmed booking has its own vehicle and driver assigned. Our 1 – 5 passenger vans still have dates open, but demand for those days is very high, so book as early as you can. Outside that window every vehicle size is available as usual.
- Where does the driver pick me up in RIU Guanacaste?
- At the door of your hotel, villa or rental in RIU Guanacaste, at the time you choose. Give us the property name or a map pin when you book and the driver comes to the entrance.
- Can we stop along the way from RIU Guanacaste to Manuel Antonio?
- Yes. Short stops for food, a supermarket, an ATM or photos are part of the service. Longer detours, such as a waterfall or a second town, are quoted in advance so there are no surprises.
- Do you have child seats for the trip to Manuel Antonio?
- Yes, and they are free. Costa Rican law requires a car seat or booster for children under 12 or shorter than 1.45 m (4 ft 9 in), so tell us the ages when you book and the right seats are installed before pickup.
- Can I travel from RIU Guanacaste to Manuel Antonio at night or very early?
- Yes. We run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no night surcharge. Early departures for morning flights and late arrivals are routine.
- What is the cancellation policy for this shuttle?
- Cancel more than 48 hours before pickup for a full refund minus the 13% tax. Within 48 hours the trip is non-refundable. Changes to date, time or address are free up to 48 hours before, subject to availability.