The Wayro route from Limón to Manuel Antonio is 161 miles (259 km), about 6 h 14 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: “Roads can have unclear lane markings, narrow shoulders, and large potholes.”
| Distance | 161 mi (259 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 6 h 14 min |
| Provinces on the route | Limón, San José, Heredia, Puntarenas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
What the drive from Limón to Manuel Antonio is like
It runs through 4 provinces: Limón, San José, Heredia, Puntarenas. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Limón to Manuel Antonio, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–97 | 97 | Limón, San José, Heredia |
| connecting roads | 97–106 | 9 | San José |
| local roads | 106–161 | 55 | San José, Puntarenas |
- Mile 71 of this route: Limón → San José (province line)
- Mile 89 of this route: San José → Heredia (province line)
- Mile 96 of this route: Heredia → San José (province line)
- Mile 136 of this route: San José → Puntarenas (province line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Limón and Manuel Antonio
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Las Mercedes (mile 46), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 76), National Theatre of Costa Rica (mile 98)
- Nature and outdoors: Barbilla National Park (mile 24), Turrialba Volcano National Park (mile 58), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 76), Irazú Volcano National Park (mile 88), La Cangreja National Park (mile 133)
- Museums and history: Las Mercedes (mile 46), National Theatre of Costa Rica (mile 98)
Barbilla National Park
On the eastern slopes of the Cordillera de Talamanca, Barbilla National Park belongs to the Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area; it became a biological preserve in 1982 and a national park in 1998.
Las Mercedes
On Costa Rica's Caribbean slope, between the foothills of Turrialba Volcano and the alluvial plain, Las Mercedes is an archaeological site with platforms, plazas, terraces, ramps, funerary areas and paved roads.
Turrialba Volcano National Park
Turrialba Volcano National Park covers the area around Turrialba Volcano in Cartago Province, within Costa Rica's Central Conservation Area. Major eruptions took place between 1864 and 1868.
Braulio Carrillo National Park
Braulio Carrillo National Park spreads across parts of Heredia, Cartago, Limón and San José provinces in central Costa Rica and forms part of the Central Conservation Area.
Irazú Volcano National Park
Established in 1955 in Cartago Province, Irazú Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú) encompasses Irazú Volcano and the Prusia Forest Reserve.
National Theatre of Costa Rica
Costa Rica's national theater sits in the central part of San José. It opened to the public on October 21, 1897, with a performance of Goethe's Faust.
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.
When you get to Manuel Antonio
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 Manuel Antonio
- Heredia to Manuel Antonio
- Las Catalinas, Costa Rica to Manuel Antonio
- Pochote to Manuel Antonio
- Tortuguero to Manuel Antonio
- Parismina to Manuel Antonio
- Bribri to Manuel Antonio
From Limón to other places in Costa Rica
- Limón to Cartago, Costa Rica
- Limón to Tortuguero
- Limón to Alajuela
- Limón to San Isidro
- Limón to Puntarenas
- Limón to Santa Elena
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Limón to Manuel Antonio?
About 6 h 14 min of driving without stops, over 161 miles.
What is the driving distance from Limón to Manuel Antonio?
About 161 miles (259 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 Limón to Manuel Antonio 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 Limón to Manuel Antonio?
Closest to the road: Las Mercedes (archaeological site, mile 46, 0.6 mi from the route); Braulio Carrillo National Park (national park, mile 76, 0.4 mi from the route); National Theatre of Costa Rica (opera house, mile 98, 0.2 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.