From San Jose Airport:

We have a new road! Yes you can now drive from SJ airport to your Manuel Antonio vacation rental, Discovery Beach House, in as little as 2 hours and 15 minutes (as opposed to 3 1/2 hours). The trick is to get from the old road onto the new road at La Garita and drive down to meet the new road at the Turrucares intersection.

We suggest exchanging at least $5 US dollars into Costa Rican colones for the tolls on the highway. Drive defensively and be aware when two lanes become one, “CEDA” means “Yield”.

Note: The first 13 km uses the same “old” route to Manuel Antonio. GPS devices might not be updated and will likely still have the “old” route so do not rely on them to follow the complete recommended route.

Ok, so in details… from the airport take right down to first traffic lights and double back on yourself following signs to San Ramon / Atenas Continue straight ahead on Route 1 for about 10 km. You will pass by The Dos pinos factory and Lanco. After the second bridge crossing, get in the right lane and take the next exit (Route 3) for Jaco / Quepos / Manuel Antonio. There is also a sign here for Punta Leona and Atenas. Turn left at the stop sign, crossing back over Route 1.

Follow Route 3 for about 3 km. Look for a large Christian church on the left and then a soccer field and make a left on the road immediately after it. Do not go under the bridge! You are on the road to Turrucares. There are no signs and it’s a secondary road, so don’t think you’ve made a mistake. It’s currently the best connection to the toll highway from the airport.

Drive for another 3 km through this somewhat winding road. Once you arrive at the highway intersection turn left BEFORE the highway. Again, there are no signs here yet. Be careful as it’s a narrow two-way gravel access road. After some 300 meters you will arrive at a roundabout. Make a right following the highway signs to Orotina / Atenas.

Drive on the highway through 2 toll booths. Then, take the next right exit to Route 34, follow signs for Jaco / Quepos. This exit forms a loop and then you bypass a roundabout to continue straight to Jaco (another 36 km).

Follow Route 34 (also called the Costanera) for a while and you will cross over the Tarcoles River Bridge. Stop here and view the giant crocodiles, some up to 15 feet long! About 10 miles past here on your right, you will see signs for Villas Caletes Hotel and Restaurant, this is a great stop to view the coast-line from 1000 feet.

Continue South down the coastal road through Jaco and Parrita. Parrita is about 45 minutes from Quepos.

Upon entering Quepos, the road will narrow and you will see the ocean and marina to your right. The road will split 3-ways, take the middle road. Go 300 meters and turn left, following signs to Manuel Antonio, and Payless-Rent-A-Car. Go past the soccer field and turn right following signs to Manuel Antonio.

Once you enter the road to Manuel Antonio keep heading right. The road is approximately 7 miles from Quepos to Manuel Antonio. Discovery Beach House is located about 5 miles in. You will pass several hotels and restaurants. Once you see Hotel Costa Verde you are close. You will pass Hotel Karahe on your right side. The house is directly after this. You will see a sign for “Liquid” just after the driveway. Pull into the driveway to the right and you will see two gates. Discovery Beach House is the house on the left. A security guard will be there to open the gate for you.