The Wayro route from Heredia to Uvita is 103 miles (166 km), about 4 h 9 min of driving without 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: “Do not drive through water if you can't see its depth.”
| Total distance | 103 mi (166 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 9 min |
| Provinces on the route | Heredia, San José, Puntarenas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
What the drive from Heredia to Uvita is like
It runs through 3 provinces: Heredia, San José, Puntarenas. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Roads you'll take from Heredia to Uvita
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–8 | 8 | Heredia, San José |
| connecting roads | 8–14 | 6 | San José |
| local roads | 14–103 | 89 | San José, Puntarenas |
- Mile 3 of this route: Heredia → San José (province line)
- Mile 44 of this route: San José → Puntarenas (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Heredia and Uvita
- Nature and outdoors: La Cangreja National Park (mile 41), Manuel Antonio National Park (mile 71)
- Museums and history: Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (mile 9)
- With kids: Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar (mile 8)
Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar
Located in downtown San José, Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar is an urban park of about 35 acres that serves as Costa Rica's oldest botanical garden and zoo.
Museum of Contemporary Art and Design
Founded in 1994, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in Costa Rica focuses on contemporary Central American art and design and also shows international work.
La Cangreja National Park
A protected zone until 2002, La Cangreja National Park lies in Puriscal Canton, San José Province, and belongs to the Central Pacific Conservation Area near Costa Rica's Pacific coast.
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.
More drives to Uvita
From Heredia to other places in Costa Rica
- Heredia to Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
- Heredia to Pochote
- Heredia to Manuel Antonio
- Heredia to Finca Sonador
- Heredia to Dominical
- Heredia to Tortuguero
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Heredia to Uvita?
About 4 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 103 miles.
How far is Uvita from Heredia by car?
About 103 miles (166 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 Heredia to Uvita drive?
The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Heredia and Uvita?
Closest to the road: Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar (zoo, mile 8, 3 mi from the route); Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (art museum, mile 9, 2 mi from the route); Manuel Antonio National Park (national park, mile 71, 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.