Drive-time estimates between common bases
| From | To | Road distance | Estimate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| SJO airport | La Fortuna | 130 km | 2 h 33 min |
| SJO airport | Jacó | 86 km | 1 h 42 min |
| SJO airport | Manuel Antonio / Quepos | 151 km | 2 h 59 min |
| SJO airport | Monteverde | 127 km | 3 h 08 min |
| SJO airport | Puerto Viejo | 232 km | 3 h 43 min |
| SJO airport | Uvita | 211 km | 4 h 04 min |
| LIR airport | Tamarindo | 65 km | 1 h 24 min |
| LIR airport | Playas del Coco | 23 km | 27 min |
| LIR airport | La Fortuna | 183 km | 2 h 50 min |
| La Fortuna | Monteverde | 113 km | 2 h 37 min |
| Jacó | Manuel Antonio / Quepos | 67 km | 1 h 22 min |
| Manuel Antonio / Quepos | Uvita | 63 km | 1 h 13 min |
*Calculated November 5, 2026 with the OpenStreetMap OSRM routing engine between town centres or the named dock or airport, assuming no traffic, weather, roadworks or stops. Real journeys often take 20–50% longer, especially on weekends and in the rainy season. The full table and map have more routes.
Before you book any tour
- Is your hotel inside the pickup zone, or do you need to reach a meeting point?
- Is the ticket dated or flexible?
- What is included, and what is not?
- Where does the boat or tour actually board? The departure point is not the attraction (why the map shows both).
Choosing where to sleep
Fewer drives mean more time doing things. Read Choosing a base so tours come to you, then compare stays by location.