Planning guides

Jacó or Manuel Antonio? Choosing a Central Pacific Base

They are about 75 km apart and feel very different.

Updated: October 29, 2026. Listings, schedules and prices change; always confirm on the booking page.

Rock arch on the Pacific coast, Costa Rica · Photo: WildPhotography.com

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Side by side

	Jacó	Manuel Antonio / Quepos
From SJO	About 1.5–2 hours	About 3 hours
Vibe	Surf town, nightlife	Rainforest hills meet the beach
Headline nature	Carara nearby	The national park

Stay in Jacó

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Jacó stays.

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Stay in Manuel Antonio

Manuel AntonioAgoda

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Quepos and Manuel Antonio stays.

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Or do both

Spend two nights in Jacó, then continue south.