Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica · Puntarenas Province
White-sand coves framed by primary rainforest. Manuel Antonio National Park has the highest wildlife-per-square-kilometre in the country — sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys, iguanas, and toucans within an hour's loop. Central Pacific coast, three hours from SJO. Peak season December–April.
Overview
The Pacific's most photographed national park — rainforest tumbling straight into white-sand coves.
Manuel Antonio National Park packs three coves, four trails, and a chunk of primary rainforest into less than 7 square kilometres, which is why it's Costa Rica's most-visited park. Sloths sleep in cecropia trees over the path, squirrel monkeys raid picnics, and the white-sand beaches inside the park rival anywhere in the Caribbean.
- Manuel Antonio NP — book entry online, arrive at 7am for wildlife and quiet beaches
- Quepos — the working base town, restaurants and sportfishing marina
- Sloths & monkeys — squirrel, white-faced capuchin, howler, and three-toed sloths
- Beaches inside the park — Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Playita
- Sunset at El Avión — the converted Fairchild C-123 cargo plane on a hilltop
Best time to visit
December through April is the prime window — sunny coastline, calm seas, and full park access. September and October are the wettest stretch but also the greenest and least crowded. Book park-entry tickets in advance from Christmas through Easter.
Guides for Manuel Antonio
- Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio: Best Hotels & Areas (2026) · Where to stay
- Things to Do in Manuel Antonio Beyond the National Park (2026) · Things to do
- How to Get to Manuel Antonio from SJO, Arenal & Monteverde (2026) · Getting there
- The Complete Manuel Antonio Travel Guide (2026) · Planning
- Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio: the Beach End, the Hill, or Quepos · Where to stay
- Manuel Antonio National Park: Which Trails to Walk Now That Punta Catedral Is Closed · Things to do
- Manuel Antonio Travel Guide: Beaches, Wildlife & Pacific Adventure · Things to do
- Fishing in Quepos & Manuel Antonio: Charters, Species & Seasons (2026) · Things to do
- Best Beaches in & Near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (2026) · Things to do
- White Water Rafting Manuel Antonio: The Ultimate Jungle Adventure on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific · Things to do
- Manuel Antonio National Park: Complete Visitor Guide (2026) · Things to do
- Why the OWC in Costa Rica Is the World’s Most Elite Billfishing Tournament · Things to do
- Discover the New Gastronomic Plaza in Quepos: A Flavorful Adventure for the Whole Family · Things to do
- San Jose to Manuel Antonio: Private Shuttle, Drive Times & Best Route (2026) · Getting there
- Manuel Antonio with Kids: The Complete Family Guide (2026) · Planning
- Manuel Antonio Itinerary: 2, 3, 5 & 7 Days (2026) · Planning
- Top 10 Best Zip Line Tours in Costa Rica (Monteverde, Arenal & Manuel Antonio) · Things to do
- How to Get to Monteverde from SJO, Arenal & Manuel Antonio (2026) · Getting there
Experiences
Half day Private Reef Spearfishing in Manuel Antonio
From $750 per person
Top Notch - 45ft Viking
From $2,600 per group (up to 12)
Gypsy Girl - 30ft Palmbeach Gamefisher
From $1,150 per group (up to 12)
Jet Ski Adventures
From $135 per person
Private Chef in Manuel Antonio
From $150 per person
Full Day Tropical Waterfalls Tour
From $130 per person
Snorkeling Isla del Caño
From $175 per person
15 Min Parasailing Manuel Antonio Beach
From $100 per person
1 hr Relaxing Massage
From $90 per person
Adventure Park 10 in 1
From $140 per person
Savegre White Water Rafting
From $115 per person
Naranjo River White Water Rafting
From $95 per person
Rainmaker Park Tour
From $69 per person
ATV Jungle & Waterfall Adventure
From $110 per person
Mangrove Monkey Tour
From $55 per person
Skydive
From $389 per person
Explore the Thrills of Sportfishing
From $1,400 per person
Savegre River White Water Rafting | Class ll-lll
From $130 per person
Dive Isla del Caño
From $215 per person
Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio: Authentic Cacao & Coffee Experience
From $59 per person
Reto MAE Hike Playa La Macha
From $25 per person
Horseback Riding
From $85 per person
Brisa Elegante Sail Boat Tour
From $125 per person
Tito's Inshore Fishing Trips
From $540 per person
Jungle Night Tour | Manuel Antonio
From $59 per person
Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
From $59 per person
Sunset Sails Boat Tour
From $84 per person
Open Water course Isla del Caño
From $645 per person
Surf Lesson in Manuel Antonio
From $95 per person
Reto MAE Coastal Full Hike
From $90 per person
Corcovado National Park Tour – Sirena Station
From $110 per person
Nauyaca Waterfall Tour
From $133 per person
Canopy Zipline Tour Manuel Antonio
From $85 per person
Vamonos - 41ft Luhrs
From $2,650 per person
Naranjo River White Water Rafting | Class III & IV
From $110 per person
Farm to Table – Cooking & Spice Farm Experience
From $90 per person
Getting around
Shared Shuttle: San Jose Airport (SJO) to Jaco
From $51 per person
Private Transfer: San Jose Airport (SJO) to Uvita / Dominical
From $312 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: San Jose Airport (SJO) to Jaco
From $192 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: Tamarindo to Manuel Antonio
From $420 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: Sierpe to Manuel Antonio
From $180 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: Uvita to Manuel Antonio
From $120 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: Jaco to Manuel Antonio
From $120 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
From $312 per vehicle (up to 4)
Private Transfer: Arenal / La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
From $312 per vehicle (up to 4)
Shared Shuttle: San Jose Airport (SJO) to Manuel Antonio
From $61 per person
Shared Shuttle: Arenal / La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio
From $62 per person
Shared Shuttle: Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
From $70 per person
Private Transfer: San Jose Airport (SJO) to Manuel Antonio
From $193 per vehicle (up to 4)
Gallery
Where to stay
Hotel La Posada and Jungle
10/10 · 110 reviews
Tulemar Resort
9.8/10 · 234 reviews
Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort Member of the Cayuga Collection
9.7/10 · 140 reviews
Gaia Hotel & Reserve- Adults Only
9.6/10 · 394 reviews
Villas Nicolás - Adults Only
9.6/10 · 114 reviews
Oasis Diverse Adult Retreat
9.5/10 · 84 reviews
Parador Nature Resort and Spa
9.4/10 · 1652 reviews
Hotel Plaza Yara
9.4/10 · 1178 reviews
La Vela Boutique Hotel
9.4/10 · 109 reviews
La Foresta Nature Resort
9.4/10 · 106 reviews