Manuel Antonio National Park
Created in 1972 to preserve the richness of the forest and the idyllic beaches, Manuel Antonio is home to many of Costa Rica's endangered species. Don't let the size fool you, the smallest of Costa Rica's National Parks, which encompasses almost 1,700 acres of land (683 terrestrial hectares) and 136,000 acres of ocean (55,000 marine hectares), is regarded as one of its best.
More about Manuel Antonio National Park
Located 120 miles (192 km) from San Jose on the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park is internationally recognized as being one of the most biodiverse parks on the planet. Lush tropical forests, lagoons, mangroves and pristine white sandy beaches make up one of the most diverse ecosystems imaginable. Among the 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, some of the frequently viewed residents include white-faced and howler monkeys, two and three toed sloths and iguanas. The endangered squirrel monkey calls the park home as well.
The park contains a great system of well marked trails to allow visitors to explore (maps may be purchased at the park entrance). The four beaches in the park, Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondito and Playita, are some of the best in the country. Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio offer very good snorkeling when the water is clear, which is best during the dry season. At 236 feet (72 m) high, Cathedral Point lies between Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. It is connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge and if you&re up for the hike, provides a memorable view. Playa Manuel Antonio offers a glimpse into the past with pre-Columbian turtle traps made of stone. Surfing, swimming or just relaxing under the sun are favorite activities for park goers.
Manuel Antonio National Park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7:30 am to 4 pm. Regulations have been in effect to limit the amount of visitors to 600 on weekdays and 800 on weekends and holidays. To avoid large crowds, early morning from May to November may be the best time to experience the park. Peak months are from December to April. Petty theft is common around the park so be sure not to leave your possessions unguarded.
Moments to look forward to
Epic Coast to Coast Couple’s Journey
Costa Rica was awesome. We do a lot of travelling and this was one our best trips ever.
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour
Senior Couple Nature Explorer
We had a wonderful trip. All arrangements were handled promptly and on time. With howler monkeys outside our windows and being able to walk right onto the beach, it doesn’t get better than this.
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour (From Jaco)
A Trip We Will Always Remember
We thought it was going to be a fun and relaxing honeymoon, but our trip to Costa Rica was much more substantial than that. It was amazing talking to the local Costa Ricans. The overall pace of life is calmer. There is so much more respect in Costa Rica. Respect for each other, respect for the environment, the animals, and life in general. We learned a lot on our trip, and can not wait to return. We highly recommend Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
Manuel Antonio National Park One Day Tour
A Romantic Adventure in The Making
Our favorite part of the trip was experiencing all of the wildlife, monkeys, birds, butterflies and the scenery was GORGEOUS! Each portion of our two-week stay went according to plan, and we have many fond memories for our next trip!
Guided Tour Manuel Antonio National Park
A Beginner's Guide to Costa Rica
I was very impressed with everything Costa Rica is doing to preserve its rain forests, rivers, oceans, etc.
Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach Day
The Most Memorable Honeymoon Ever
Our first but definitely not last time in Costa Rica. We loved all the areas, people, activities, food, everything. Been gushing about our trip to our family and friends since we got back.
Manuel Antonio National Park & Surf & Beach Day
An Adventure Family Vacation to Remember
We all loved Costa Rica and had a great time. It was nice to see sustainability practices at the hotels although it was not what we really considered when choosing a hotel. However, it was nice to see.
Manuel Antonio National Park and Surf
Celebrating Our Anniversary in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a lovely country! I am very impressed with all you do to preserve the beauty and wildlife so abundant.
Pura Vida Anniversary Adventure
To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we chose to visit Costa Rica. It was our first time visiting, but we fell in love with the place immediately. From Arenal, to Monteverde, to Manuel Antonio we’d come back again!
Adventurous Vacation for One
While at the hotels did do sustainable practices as much as possible they forgot some very important things that we made sure to mention to them. For example, they had recycle trash bin's etc. but they did not have closing lids on them so raccoons and other animals could go into the trash and search for food and eat something that could potentially hurt them or poison them. All trash cans must have lids on them, especially in the public restrooms since you cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet. That was very unsanitary. Most importantly protect the wildlife.
A Coast to Coast Family Adventure
Our trip went very smoothly with all of our pick ups on time. The hotels, destinations and tours recommended by Roy Soto, our tour organiser were all of an excellent standard. For future reference, a lot of our trips were very early so we often missed breakfast at our hotels. It may be useful for fellow travelers to have a list of local cafes/hotels in each location that open early for breakfast. All in all our trip was very enjoyable, the scenery is suberb, the beaches beautiful and unspoiled, the wildlife abundant and incredibly diverse, and the people of Costa Rica are friendly and very hospitable. I would recommend a trip to Costa Rica for an unforgettable experience and I'd recommend Anywhere as a fantastic way to organise the trip of a lifetime, tailored specifically for you.
From Cloud Forests to Beaches
I would recommend Costa Rica to friends
Coast to Coast Budget Vacation
We didn’t think we could explore so much of Costa Rica with our budget, but Anywhere pulled it off amazingly. All the exciting excursions and relaxing days by the beach are in our memories forever.
We Soared Through the Canopy
This had been the trip of our dreams for my family. The staff was professional, courteous, punctual, and reliable. We felt taken care of every step of the way.
A Real Taste of Costa Rica
We wanted to take the kids to Costa Rica to appreciate the ecotourism. Monteverde region blew us away with the Twilight Walk, Children's Eternal Rainforest and the cabins and greenhouse at Los Pinos, including the cabins designed to profit from natural light in the washrooms. The butterfly garden tour in Monteverde was my father's favourite of the many tours that we took and my children appreciated the coffee tour in Arenal for the hot chocolate that we made and for Gustavo's enthusiasm and interaction with the kids. Exposure to the nature was one thing but seeing how the society embraces nature for conservation was truly impressive.
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Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
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Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
