Parismina to Manuel Antonio is about 145 road miles (233 km): roughly 5 h 52 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
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 by road | 145 mi (233 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 5 h 52 min |
| Provinces on the route | Limón, San José, Heredia, Puntarenas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 5.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving Parismina to Manuel Antonio: the shape of the trip
It runs through 4 provinces: Limón, San José, Heredia, Puntarenas. Of the 6 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Parismina to Manuel Antonio, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Province |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–21 | 21 | Limón |
| connecting roads | 21–22 | 1 | Limón |
| local roads | 22–80 | 58 | Limón, San José, Heredia |
| connecting roads | 80–89 | 9 | San José |
| local roads | 89–97 | 8 | San José |
| connecting roads | 97–98 | 1 | San José |
| local roads | 98–145 | 47 | San José, Puntarenas |
- Mile 54 of this route: Limón → San José (province line)
- Mile 72 of this route: San José → Heredia (province line)
- Mile 80 of this route: Heredia → San José (province line)
- Mile 119 of this route: San José → Puntarenas (province line)
What to see on the way from Parismina to Manuel Antonio
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Las Mercedes (mile 29), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 59), Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (mile 81)
- Nature and outdoors: Turrialba Volcano National Park (mile 41), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 59), Irazú Volcano National Park (mile 71), La Cangreja National Park (mile 117)
- Museums and history: Las Mercedes (mile 29), Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (mile 81)
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.
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica
Costa Rica's national museum stands in San José on Calle 17 between Central and Second Avenues, in the Cuesta de Moras area.
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.
Arriving in 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
- Limón to Manuel Antonio
- Bribri to Manuel Antonio
From Parismina to other places in Costa Rica
- Parismina to Santa Elena
- Parismina to Finca Sonador
- Parismina to Uvita
- Parismina to Brasilito
- Parismina to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
- Parismina to Playa Grande
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Parismina to Manuel Antonio?
About 5 h 52 min of driving without stops, over 145 miles.
What is the driving distance from Parismina to Manuel Antonio?
About 145 miles (233 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.
Is it safe to drive from Parismina to Manuel Antonio?
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 Parismina and Manuel Antonio?
Closest to the road: Las Mercedes (archaeological site, mile 29, 0.6 mi from the route); Braulio Carrillo National Park (national park, mile 59, 0.4 mi from the route); Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (national museum, mile 81, 0.5 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.