Plan on about 6 h 49 min of driving for the 178-mile (287 km) trip from Parismina to Uvita, 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 | 178 mi (287 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 6 h 49 min |
| Provinces on the route | Limón, San José, Heredia, Puntarenas |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.1 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 7 |
The Parismina–Uvita drive in a few lines
It runs through 4 provinces: Limón, San José, Heredia, Puntarenas. Of the 7 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Parismina and Uvita
| 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 | 98–178 | 80 | 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)
Stops between Parismina and Uvita
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Las Mercedes (mile 29), Braulio Carrillo National Park (mile 59), Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (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), Manuel Antonio National Park (mile 147)
- Museums and history: Las Mercedes (mile 29), Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (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.
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Set in an underground building beneath the Plaza de la Cultura in San José, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum is owned and curated by Costa Rica's central bank.
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 Parismina to other places in Costa Rica
- Parismina to Manuel Antonio
- Parismina to Santa Elena
- Parismina to Finca Sonador
- 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 Uvita?
About 6 h 49 min of driving without stops, over 178 miles.
How far is Uvita from Parismina by car?
About 178 miles (287 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 Uvita?
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 Uvita?
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); Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (museum, mile 81, 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.