Plan on about 6 h 25 min of driving for the 197-mile (317 km) trip from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, 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: “Try not to drive outside of urban areas at night.”
| Total distance | 197 mi (317 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 6 h 25 min |
| Provinces on the route | Puntarenas, San José, Heredia, Limón |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.9 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
On the road from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
It runs through 4 provinces: Puntarenas, San José, Heredia, Limón. Of the 7 stops listed below, 4 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–62 | 62 | Puntarenas, San José |
| connecting roads | 62–64 | 2 | San José |
| local roads | 64–197 | 133 | San José, Heredia, Limón |
- Mile 26 of this route: Puntarenas → San José (province line)
- Mile 66 of this route: San José → Heredia (province line)
- Mile 73 of this route: Heredia → San José (province line)
- Mile 91 of this route: San José → Limón (province line)
Stops between Manuel Antonio and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Metropolitan Cathedral of San José (mile 63), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 86), Las Mercedes (mile 116), Cahuita National Park (mile 188)
- Nature and outdoors: La Cangreja National Park (mile 29), Irazú Volcano National Park (mile 73), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 86), Barbilla National Park (mile 138), Cahuita National Park (mile 188)
- Museums and history: Metropolitan Cathedral of San José (mile 63), Las Mercedes (mile 116)
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.
Metropolitan Cathedral of San José
Located on Calle Central in San José, the Metropolitan Cathedral replaced an original 1802 cathedral that was destroyed by an earthquake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cahuita National Park
On Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast next to the town of Cahuita, Cahuita National Park protects beaches, lowlands and coral reefs. Visitors can snorkel in the marine area, and sea turtles nest here.
More drives to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Heredia to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Alajuela to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Cartago, Costa Rica to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Puntarenas to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- San Isidro to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Dominical to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
About 6 h 25 min of driving without stops, over 197 miles.
What is the driving distance from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
About 197 miles (317 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 Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 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 Manuel Antonio to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
Closest to the road: Metropolitan Cathedral of San José (cathedral, mile 63, 0.3 mi from the route); Braulio Carrillo National Park (national park, mile 86, 0.5 mi from the route); Las Mercedes (archaeological site, mile 116, 0.6 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.