Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: travel guide
Pacific-coast resort area (Puntarenas) wrapped around Manuel Antonio National Park, famed for white-sand beaches backed by rainforest full of monkeys and sloths.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
- Nearest airport
- XQP
Top places to visit in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · entry USD 18
Costa Rica's most visited park, where rainforest trails full of monkeys and sloths meet postcard beaches.
Isla Damas Mangroves
Wildlife · 4.4 rating · about 4 h
Tidal estuary and mangrove maze explored by boat or kayak, teeming with monkeys, crocodiles and birds.
Marina Pez Vela
Nightlife · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
Quepos's modern marina with waterfront dining, sportfishing and tour departures.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Waterfall · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · entry USD 10
A powerful two-tier jungle waterfall with swimming pools, ~40 min south near Dominical.
Rainmaker Park
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 23
Private rainforest conservation reserve with canopy suspension bridges and waterfall pools.
Playa Biesanz
Beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
Secluded, calm cove reached by a short jungle trail — a favourite for snorkeling.
Punta Catedral
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h
A loop trail over the forested headland with sweeping Pacific lookouts inside the park.
Playa Manuel Antonio
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
Sheltered white-sand swim beach inside the national park, backed by jungle.
Playa Espadilla
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
The main public beach outside the park, popular for surfing and sunsets.
Playa Espadilla Sur
Beach · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h
Calm beach inside the park along the tombolo leading to Punta Catedral.
Quepos Malecón
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Seaside promenade in Quepos town lined with restaurants and local life.
Things to do
- Manuel Antonio NP Guided Nature Walk Wildlife · 3 h · from USD 45 per person
- Manuel Antonio Catamaran Sunset Tour Boat · 4 h · from USD 85 per person
- Isla Damas Mangrove Kayak Kayak · 4 h · from USD 60 per person
- Savegre White-water Rafting Adventure · 5 h · from USD 85 per person
- Espadilla Parasailing Water · 0.8 h · from USD 70 per person
- Espadilla Surf Lesson Surf · 2 h · from USD 50 per person
Day trips and tours
- Manuel Antonio Park & Catamaran 9 h · from USD 140
Where to stay in Manuel Antonio
- Manuel Antonio Road / Hill about CRC 180 per night
Jungle ridge road with most ocean-view hotels and restaurants between Quepos and the beach.
- Quepos Town about CRC 90 per night
Working port town with budget stays, the bus hub and Marina Pez Vela.
Hotels
- Hotel Costa Verde 3-star · USD 130 to USD 220 per night
- Hotel Villa Roca 3-star · USD 120 to USD 200 per night
- Tulemar Resort 4-star · USD 300 to USD 600 per night
- Selina Manuel Antonio 2-star · USD 16 to USD 100 per night
- Si Como No Resort 4-star · USD 250 to USD 400 per night
- Hotel Playa Espadilla 3-star · USD 120 to USD 190 per night
Where to eat
- El Avión International, Bar · about USD 22 per person
- Rico Tico Bar & Grill Costa Rican, Latin · about USD 20 per person
- Agua Azul Seafood, International · about USD 20 per person
- Emilio's Café Cafe, International · about USD 16 per person
- Ronny's Place Costa Rican, Seafood · about USD 18 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Beach "guide" and parking hustles
Playa Espadilla & national-park road
Touts pose as official guides or parking attendants near the park entrance and demand fees.
How to avoid it: Only book guides at the official park ticket office and confirm parking rates before paying.