Santa Teresa and Mal País are two of Costa Rica’s popular beach destinations, known for their surf, beautiful sunsets, laid-back atmosphere and international community. Located on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, they take some planning to reach from Manuel Antonio and Quepos.
This guide focuses on the route through Puntarenas and the ferry to Paquera, followed by the road through Cóbano. It also explains a shared shuttle-and-taxi-boat alternative: that smaller passenger boat is not the Puntarenas–Paquera vehicle ferry. Check which crossing you are booking rather than treating all boat transfers as the same service.
Whether you are looking for the most affordable route or a more comfortable journey, the best choice depends on your luggage, your group and how much flexibility you need.
Map of the Manuel Antonio to Santa Teresa route.
What is the best way to get to Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos?
Pura Vida Traveling recommendations:
- On a budget: Public buses and the ferry if you can devote a full day to the journey.
- Solo travelers, couples or small groups: Shared shuttle and taxi boat, provided you are comfortable with a small-boat crossing; rental car if you also want a vehicle at your destination.
- Families or larger groups: Private shuttle — your choice of ferry (from US$450) or all-land (from US$471.25) itinerary, with pickup, luggage and passenger tier confirmed before booking.
- Considering flying: Read the flight feasibility section first. A connecting flight is not automatically the quickest overall option.
To Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos by private shuttle
Best for families and groups — two routes to choose from:
- By ferry: approximately 6–7 hours — from US$450 per vehicle for 1–4 passengers, plus 13% tax.
- By land: approximately 7 hours, no ferry crossing — from US$471.25 per vehicle for 1–4 passengers, plus 13% tax.
A private shuttle offers privacy and a coordinated journey without arranging each bus connection yourself, and it is the one option where you genuinely choose how to cross the peninsula.
By ferry, the itinerary travels north to Puntarenas, crosses to Paquera, and continues through Cóbano toward Santa Teresa or Mal País. The product describes ferry tickets as included and the vehicle traveling on the ferry with your group. The headline estimate is six hours; the detailed route notes allow six to seven. Treat that as a planning estimate, not an arrival guarantee: traffic, ferry boarding and available sailings can all extend the journey.
By land, the vehicle drives around the gulf without any ferry dependency — useful when ferry sailings do not fit your schedule or you prefer to stay on the road. The land product is listed at about seven hours and is priced slightly higher than the ferry itinerary.
Pickup and drop-off are within designated service areas and must be confirmed for your address. Vacation rentals, remote properties and difficult-access locations need individual approval. With the ferry itinerary, requested departure times must work with the ferry schedule; the land route leaves freely.
Both products use passenger tiers of 1–4, 5–6 and 7–10. Do not assume a universal six-passenger base fare or a flat supplement for every extra passenger.
Book the private shuttle by ferry — from US$450
Book the private shuttle by land — from US$471.25
Our tips
- Pick the itinerary that suits you before booking: ferry (vehicle crosses with you) or land (no ferry at all). The two are separate products with different prices.
- Provide the exact accommodation locations, passenger count and luggage details before confirmation.
- Request food or comfort stops in advance; longer detours must be agreed rather than assumed.
- Leave room in your plans for ferry or road delays.
To Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos by shared shuttle
For solo travelers and couples — approximately 4–5 hours for the listed shuttle-and-taxi-boat alternative — from US$86.4 per person, plus 13% tax.
Shared transport offers a balance between comfort, price and convenience. The service is a shuttle plus taxi-boat combination: a shuttle to Herradura Beach, a passenger-boat crossing, and another shuttle to Santa Teresa or Mal País. There is no ferry crossing on the shared itinerary — if you want the Puntarenas–Paquera vehicle ferry, take the private ferry itinerary or travel by car.
The detailed product information gives an approximate four-to-five-hour journey and lists a 7:30 AM departure, with the exact pickup time confirmed for your location. Sea conditions, beach boarding, passenger pickups and vehicle changes may affect the schedule. The precise landing beach must be confirmed before travel.
Pickup and drop-off are at approved locations within the service areas; an accommodation address does not automatically qualify. Travelers may need to walk on the beach and board from shore, so this alternative deserves extra consideration if you have limited mobility or substantial luggage.
Review the shared shuttle-and-taxi-boat option
Our tips
- Reserve in advance and check whether the crossing suits your group’s mobility needs.
- Use waterproof protection for electronics and valuables; wear footwear suitable for beach boarding.
- Declare surfboards and extra suitcases before booking and check the applicable allowance and charges.
- Do not assume a child discount: check the selected product’s booking terms.
To Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos by public bus
Lowest-cost option — roughly ₡7,000–7,500 (about US$14–15) per person in total — allow a full travel day: three bus legs from Quepos plus the ferry and a terminal transfer; add a local bus if starting in Manuel Antonio.
The public-bus route is best suited to flexible travelers who are comfortable carrying luggage between services. Travel from Quepos to Puntarenas, transfer to the ferry terminal, cross to Paquera, then continue by bus through Cóbano. Do not assume the last peninsula bus waits for a delayed ferry.
With the earliest buses and a mid-morning ferry, the full journey is realistic in a single long day (roughly 8–9 hours door to door); the original draft’s 8–10 hour range is a fair planning window. Missing one connection can still turn this into an overnight stop, so keep that possibility in your plans. Adding the verified segment fares gives an estimated total of ₡7,000–7,500 (US$14–15) per person including the ferry.
1. Manuel Antonio to Quepos, if needed
Take the local bus to Quepos and confirm the Puntarenas departure point when you arrive. Starting in Quepos removes this first leg. Check the current local fare and first departure rather than relying on the draft’s “under ₡500” price or fixed frequency.
2. Quepos to Puntarenas
Two independent 2026 sources agree on this leg. The official 2026 fare table (route 695, published February 2026) lists Quepos–Puntarenas at ₡2,890, and the local press schedule for the same operator (TQP, Transportes Quepos Puntarenas) lists Quepos departures at 4:30 AM, 4:35 AM, 5:30 AM, 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM, with the trip taking roughly 3.5–4 hours. Schedules shift occasionally, so reconfirm at the terminal — and take an early departure, because you still need the ferry and two more buses.
Official 2026 fare table (route 695) · TQP departures (local press)
3. Puntarenas bus arrival to the ferry terminal
The bus arrival point and ferry boarding point are separate. Confirm the bus’s actual final stop and arrange a local taxi or an appropriate walk to the Paquera ferry departure terminal. Ask the taxi fare before boarding. The old draft’s fixed distance and ₡1,500 taxi estimate have not been verified.
4. Puntarenas to Paquera by ferry
Choose the ferry to Paquera, not Playa Naranjo. The published schedule checked for this review lists 4:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 9:00 AM, noon, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, in effect from April 20, 2026 until further notice. Later ferry departures do not necessarily have onward bus connections to Santa Teresa.
The official adult passenger fare is ₡810, also confirmed by ARESEP’s tariff effective July 1, 2026. This is a passenger fare, not a vehicle ticket. Check the current schedule and boarding requirements immediately before your journey.
Check the ferry schedule and fares
5. Paquera ferry arrival to Cóbano
After disembarking, catch the Transportes Cóbano bus toward Cóbano from the ferry terminal area. A schedule checked in June 2026 lists departures at 2:30 AM, 4:45 AM, 7:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:45 PM and 4:15 PM, taking about 1.5 hours for roughly ₡1,300. The morning and midday departures are the ones that line up with ferry arrivals from Puntarenas; the pre-dawn departures exist for the reverse direction. Confirm the day’s times locally, because this line’s timetable rotates seasonally.
6. Cóbano to Santa Teresa or Mal País
Transfer to the Transportes Malpaís coastal bus toward your destination and tell the driver the accommodation or stop you need. A June 2026 schedule lists departures from Cóbano at 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:45 AM, 10:30 AM, noon, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:45 PM, 2:00 AM and 4:45 AM, taking about 25–40 minutes for roughly ₡1,000–1,500 depending on your stop. Santa Teresa and Mal País are different destinations branching from the Playa Carmen area; the Mal País stop is at the Playa Carmen junction. A final taxi may still be needed for properties away from the main road.
Our tips
- Start early and plan the final Cóbano connection before choosing your ferry.
- Carry small-denomination colones, drinking water and snacks.
- Keep your passport, money and electronics with you; watch your luggage during transfers.
- Have a backup plan if a bus or ferry connection is missed.
Driving the all-land route around the gulf.
To Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos by rental car or taxi
For flexibility — plan around a half-day or longer via the ferry — rental and taxi costs depend on the full quote.
Driving allows you to explore at your own pace, but the ferry still sets part of your schedule. Travel north from Quepos toward Puntarenas, take the vehicle ferry to Paquera, and continue through Cóbano to the appropriate coastal destination. Check road conditions and the access to your accommodation, especially after rain.
The ferry’s published light-vehicle tariff is ₡11,400 plus applicable VAT; confirm the vehicle category and passenger-ticket requirements when reserving. Ferry capacity and boarding time matter as much as driving time. Do not assume a navigation app’s road estimate includes waiting for the ferry.
Compare rental quotes including insurance or protection, deposit, fuel and any one-way charge. A long-distance taxi needs a written quote clarifying the complete itinerary, ferry tickets, waiting time and destination. The original US$220–350 taxi range and US$40–90 daily rental range were not verified and are not current quotes.
Explore Costa Rica car rentals
Our tips
- Reserve vehicle space when possible and follow the ferry’s boarding instructions.
- Check your rental agreement before using rough roads or water crossings.
- Credit-card benefits do not automatically replace locally required insurance or the rental company’s documentation requirements.
- Confirm the final turn toward Santa Teresa or Mal País; do not navigate only to “Cóbano.”
To Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos by private vehicle
Best for extended visits - Purchase and resell
If you are planning an extended visit to Costa Rica and want to travel the entire country in the luxury of a private vehicle, consider buying a car or van when you arrive and selling it when you leave. Buying a vehicle is both legal for tourists and pretty easy to do. You would have to pay the initial lawyer’s fees to transfer ownership, and then you would have to sell the vehicle in time before leaving the country, but this hassle could end up being worth it if you can get most of your investment back before you go.
For more information, check our article: How to buy a car in Costa Rica?.
Our tips
- Give yourself time to resell the vehicle. It can be fast and easy, but in Costa Rica there always tend to be delays.
- The car buyer is normally responsible for paying the lawyers’ fees for the transfer of ownership.
- Buying a new scooter or motorcycle is fast and easy, and you can normally resell it easily and only lose a few hundred dollars in resale value.
To Santa Teresa and Mal País from Manuel Antonio and Quepos by plane
An option to investigate, not a verified shortcut — total duration and airfare depend on available connections.
Quepos, San José and Cóbano appear in Sansa’s published destination network. That does not establish a nonstop Quepos–Cóbano flight or a convenient same-day connection. If considering air travel, check a complete itinerary via San José, including airport transfers, check-in, baggage limits and the final road transfer from Cóbano to Santa Teresa or Mal País.
The original “0.5 hours” summary described neither the full journey nor a verified service. Likewise, the US$150–300 fare and three-to-four-hour total were not confirmed. Compare actual flights on your travel date before choosing this option over the ferry or taxi boat.
Explore domestic flight options
Our tips
- Check both flight legs before paying for either one.
- Include surfboards and luggage in the fare comparison.
- Arrange the Cóbano ground transfer separately unless expressly included.
Choosing your ideal route
For the ferry journey described in this guide, a private shuttle provides the simplest coordinated option for a family or group, while public buses offer a lower-cost route with more changes. A rental car is useful if you also want to explore the Nicoya Peninsula independently.
The listed shared shuttle-and-taxi-boat service is a different crossing and may suit lighter travelers who prefer fewer bus connections. Flying is worth comparing only after checking a complete, workable itinerary. Whichever option you choose, leave the arrival day flexible rather than scheduling a tight onward connection.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The reviewed catalog includes a private transfer via the Puntarenas ferry and a shared shuttle-and-taxi-boat product. They are different itineraries. Confirm the crossing, pickup and final drop-off for your chosen service.
The current detailed product allows approximately six to seven hours. Ferry waiting, traffic and the final destination can extend that estimate; it is not a guaranteed arrival time.
The reviewed booking catalog starts at US$450 per vehicle for one to four passengers, plus 13% tax. Larger groups use different passenger tiers. Check your date and group size on the booking page.
No. The shared service combines a shuttle with a taxi-boat crossing via Herradura Beach — there is no ferry crossing on the shared itinerary. Expect roughly four to five hours in total, beach boarding, and a price starting around US$86.4 per person plus 13% tax. If you want your vehicle to cross the gulf with you, that is the private ferry itinerary instead.
Travel from Quepos to Puntarenas, transfer to the ferry terminal, cross to Paquera, continue to Cóbano and change for Santa Teresa or the appropriate Mal País connection. Add a local bus first if you start in Manuel Antonio. Allow a full day and confirm the final connections.
The published adult foot-passenger fare is ₡810. A light vehicle is listed at ₡11,400 plus applicable VAT; check the vehicle category and passenger-ticket requirements separately. These are ferry fares, not the price of the complete journey from Quepos.
A current complete-route taxi fare has not been verified. Request a quote that explicitly includes the ferry, waiting and the final accommodation rather than treating the draft’s old range as a current price.
Not necessarily. A possible itinerary through San José adds check-in, connection and ground-transfer time. No direct Quepos–Cóbano schedule or complete fare was verified for this review.
No. They are neighboring coastal communities, but your final transfer and access road depend on the actual accommodation. Share its location rather than booking only to a general area name.
Not always. It depends on where you stay and how far you plan to explore. A property away from the main road may require taxis or suitable transport, so check access before deciding that everything will be walkable.
