One of the most common day trips is from Jaco to Manuel Antonio. From Jaco you take the Jaco to Quepos bus which is green and takes about an hour and a half. There are 12 buses a day that go two and from Quepos. Here are the departing times: 6, 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am and 12, 12:30, 2, 2:30, 4, 5:30, 6, and 7 pm. I have gone twice and both times I have caught the 8:30am bus. The easiest place to catch the bus is across the street from MasXMenos, the big grocery store in town. As it can be a long wait I like to grab a pastry and juice from the bakery just down the street called Pachi’s Pan. If you keep an eye out for the bus you can enjoy your food seated at the café and they even have Wi-Fi. Once you arrive in Quepos you will get on a small shuttle bus to Manuel Antonio. The price is 335 colones and takes 20 minutes. There are usually two buses going back and forth so you will not wait long.
If you are looking for a quiet beach day trip from Jaco to Manual Antonio get off the bus near the Buena Vista Hotel bus stop. This area isn’t as packed or touristy as the main beach. Walk to the beach and find a palm tree to lie under. Take a walk down to the right hand side of the beach and explore at low-tide. If you are hungry go to the hotel for lunch. They have bathrooms and Wi-Fi and it is a great place to go in the evening for a drink. They have happy hour and you can get two drinks for the price of one. There are tables under the palm trees, fairy lights strung through the trees, and the atmosphere is relaxed.
When you plan to return to Jaco you will catch the same shuttle back to Quepos. You again will have 12 options of bus times to choose from to get you back to Jaco. The afternoon times are 12:30, 2, 3, 4:30, and 6pm. If you end up staying the night and want to return in the morning the times are: 4:30, 4:35, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, and 11am.
I hope you enjoy your day trip from Jaco to Manuel Antonio!