Plan on about 6 h 59 min of driving for the 196-mile (316 km) trip from Cartago, Costa Rica to Cabo Matapalo, before any stops.
Full advisory: Costa Rica. Advisory issued: Costa Rica April 02, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Costa Rica: “Roads can have unclear lane markings, narrow shoulders, and large potholes.”
| Total distance | 196 mi (316 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 59 min |
| Provinces on the route | Cartago, San José, Puntarenas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 5 |
What the drive from Cartago to Cabo Matapalo is like
It runs through 3 provinces: Cartago, San José, Puntarenas. None of the 5 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Which roads connect Cartago and Cabo Matapalo
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–13 | 13 | Cartago |
| connecting roads | 13–14 | 1 | Cartago |
| local roads | 14–27 | 13 | San José |
| connecting roads | 27–34 | 7 | San José |
| local roads | 34–196 | 162 | San José, Puntarenas |
- Mile 14 of this route: Cartago → San José (province line)
- Mile 42 of this route: San José → Puntarenas (province line)
What to see on the way from Cartago to Cabo Matapalo
Los Quetzales National Park
Created in 2006, Los Quetzales National Park covers 50 square kilometers about 97 km from San Isidro de El General, with a small ranger station and one mountainous main road.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Just south of Quepos on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park was established in 1972 after the local community pushed to protect the area from development.
Ballena Marine National Park
Ballena Marine National Park protects a safe area for migrating humpback whales in Costa Rica's Osa Conservation Area, covering 5,160 hectares of sea and 171 of land.
Piedras Blancas National Park
Part of the Osa Conservation Area, Piedras Blancas National Park lies in Puntarenas Province in southern Costa Rica, near the town of La Gamba.
Corcovado National Park
Established in 1975, Corcovado National Park covers 424 square kilometers of the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica, within the Osa Conservation Area.
More drives to Cabo Matapalo
- San José, Costa Rica to Cabo Matapalo
- Heredia to Cabo Matapalo
- Puntarenas to Cabo Matapalo
- Panama City to Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica
- Colón, Panama to Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica
From Cartago to other places in Costa Rica
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Finca Sonador
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Santa Elena
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Pochote
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Tortuguero
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Parismina
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Cartago, Costa Rica to Cabo Matapalo?
About 6 h 59 min of driving without stops, over 196 miles.
What is the driving distance from Cartago, Costa Rica to Cabo Matapalo?
About 196 miles (316 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
What does the U.S. travel advisory say about the Cartago to Cabo Matapalo drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
Where can you stop on the way from Cartago to Cabo Matapalo?
Closest to the road: Manuel Antonio National Park (national park, mile 58, 4 mi from the route); Ballena Marine National Park (national park, mile 94, 3 mi from the route); Piedras Blancas National Park (national park, mile 143, 4 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.