Parque Ntnl Manuel Antonio -- too far?
 

Hola! We're driving back from the Fortuna / Arenal area to San Jose on our last day (our first trip) in Costa Rica. We have all day and will be spending the night near the airport. We'd love to make a short side-trip for a few hours to Manuel Antonio National Park, south of San Jose that day, before wrapping up our vacation.

Any advice on road conditions, etc., and whether it's realistic, or not, to drive from Arenal to Man'Antonio Park, spend a few hours, then head to San Jose in one (long) day?

Thanks!

I would say no. It is about 5 hours to drive from Arenal to MA. Then about 3 to get back to San Jose. It gets dark at around 5 and driving in the dark there is not fun.

No, you don't have time. You can stop by the crocodile bridge near Tarcoles, however. Maybe even squeeze in a 2.5 hour river boat tour, if you leave Arenal early enough.

No. Lots of construction on roads involved. It took us about 5 1/2 hours to where we are plus 45 more minutes from here to MA. Tour of the park took 3 hours with guide and you need a guide if you want to see anything.

No, you don't have time, but you could go visit Poas or the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, or something else that's a little closer. Maybe a tour at the Doka Coffee Estate. It's taken us about five hours to go between the Arenal and MA area like others mentioned. If you could lengthen your trip, MA is nice for three or four days. They have nice beaches and easy access to wildlife like monkeys and sloths. Lots of good hotel and restaurant choices.