Manuel Antonio‘s beautiful white sand beaches, lush rainforests and abundant wildlife makes it one of the best places for first timers in Costa Rica.
If you are wondering “What is there to do in Manuel Antonio besides the beach?” don’t worry! Manuel Antonio has plenty of fun things to do to keep your days busy.
Here are our top things to do in Manuel Antonio.
You will also find our day trip recommendations, Manuel Antonio hotel recommendations and travel tips.
Also if you want to book any tours like night walks, guided national park walks, mangrove tours, you can get our Manuel Antonio tours discount!
If you’re visiting with your family, check our things to do in Manuel Antonio with kids for specific kid friendly ideas.
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Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
A visit to Manuel Antonio National Park is definitely a must for things to do in Manuel Antonio. Forbes once called Manuel Antonio National Park one of the most beautiful in the world!
The national park has well maintained hiking trails with the perfect combination of jungle and beach and is absolutely teeming with wildlife.
The national park is open Wednesday – Monday and the entrance fee is $16 USD plus tax per adult foreigner. Tickets must be purchased in advance on the SINAC website.
Park tickets sell out very quickly in high season December through April. Buy yours in advance so you don’t miss out!
How to get to the park: There are buses that run from Quepos to the national park entrance about every ~30 minutes and they make stops on the hill.
If you take this bus, get off at the last stop and walk to the park entrance. If you’re driving, drive all the way to the park entrance and you will see a couple of local parking areas.
The park has several trails that lead to beaches and viewpoints and along the way, you can see monkeys, frogs, snakes, deer and more.
Plan your visit to Manuel Antonio National Park with our complete guide.
Do you Have to Book a Guide for Manuel Antonio National Park?
You do not have to visit the national park with a guide, you can perfectly visit on your own.
But since a lot of wildlife live in the park, a lot of people want to hire a guide to help them see animals and learn about the flora and fauna in the area.
Most guides have a telescope so you can see the animals up close and use your phone to take a photo. The first sloth I ever saw was thanks to a guide in Manuel Antonio National Park!
If you really want to see a sloth in Costa Rica, this is one of the best places to see them and having a guide with trained eyes will almost guarantee you a sloth sighting.
We highly recommend hiring a guide or booking a tour if you want to learn more about the flora and fauna and see more animals.
If you’re interested in just hiking, swimming and enjoying the park at your own leisure, a guide is not necessary.
Night Walk
If you want to see more wildlife, go on a night walk! Manuel Antonio is a fantastic place in Costa Rica to explore the jungle at night such as frogs, insects and snakes.
Many of these creatures wake up when the sun goes down.
Parasailing
On Playa Espadilla Norte, the beach outside the national park, you can go parasailing. You get a spectacular view of the national park from the air, a view that you can’t get any other way!
I did a 15 minute ride with my parents which was one of the BEST things we’ve ever done together. It was so much fun and I’m really happy I got to experience it with them! 15 minutes felt way longer than it sounds and it was worth it.
You can book it right on the beach, there are several parasailing companies you can talk to. I highly recommend to reserve your tour in advance if you are visiting during high season (December through April).
We parasailed with Aguas Azules and had a great time.
Catamaran Cruise
Enjoy the ocean by taking a sunset cruise or a snorkeling tour. The visibility in this area is not consistently good for snorkeling but it’s a super fun way to enjoy the gorgeous coastal views and possibly see some wildlife like dolphins.
Read what our Manuel Antonio catamaran cruise experience was like!
If you visit during the peak Costa Rica humpback whale season (August and September), there is a possibility to see humpback whales during the trip.
Ziplining
For an adventure in Manuel Antonio, go ziplining! This is one of the most fun things to do in Manuel Antonio that’s great for anyone looking to spice up their vacation.
You’ll fly through the rainforest canopy surrounded by beautiful lush trees, with views of the forest and hills as far as the eye can see.
Fishing
Near Manuel Antonio is the Quepos marina called Marina Pez Vela. This marina is home to gorgeous million dollar yachts and luxury fishing boats.
Quepos is one of the best places in Costa Rica go in shore and off shore fishing so if you love to fish, then you have to book a fishing charter for the day.
The marina is only a 10 minute drive from Manuel Antonio. There are a ton of fishing charters at the marina which you can contact about reserving a charter.
Visit Playa Biesanz
Playa Biesanz is a fun beach to visit for the day. It’s close to the national park but with a little bit of a tricky entrance. You have to walk a ways to this beach and it’s very rocky so wear water shoes or closed toed sandals.
Make sure to check the tide because it comes in really high so it’s best to go in low tide. If you don’t want to climb up the rocks back to the path, you can walk to the Shana Hotel.
The entrance to this beach is on the hill. All the locals know this beach so you can ask them for the directions.
There are vendors selling drinks, offering chairs and umbrellas and renting snorkel equipment. Playa Biesanz is ideal for kids because it’s in a bay so the waves are very calm.
We visited Playa Biesanz on an ocean kayak trip. Although we tried to go snorkeling, visibility was very bad so we just hung out at the beach instead. Want to do the ocean kayak and snorkel tour? Click the link to book it with our discount: Manuel Antonio tours discount.
Playa Biesanz is popular among city Costa Ricans so this beach gets very busy during Holy Week, Christmas and New Years.
Damas Island Mangrove Kayak or Boat
The Damas Island mangrove is an excellent place to enjoy a leisurely day wildlife watching. You can kayak which is the best way to see wildlife since you can get close up to them without much noise.
Or you can go on a motorized boat ride which is great for seniors or those with mobility issues. Your guide will point out different wildlife like anteaters, snakes, birds and more.
We saw a crocodile, mangrove boa snake, woodpeckers, iguanas, monkeys, kingfishers and herons during our kayak and boat ride in Damas Mangrove.
Even though you can see plenty of wildlife in the national park, the mangrove is home to different animals.
We highly recommend experiencing the mangrove by kayak. It’s so peaceful and I love the feeling of gliding silently over the water to get up close to the wildlife, surrounded by only the sounds of the jungle.
Get our Manuel Antonio tour discount here for the Damas Island mangrove!
Watch the Sunset
You can’t miss watching the sunset! This is one of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio to wind down the day.
Since all the high end hotels in Manuel Antonio offer a splendid view of the park and the beach, you’ll have a wonderful view of the sunset.
The first time we visited Manuel Antonio, we stayed at Hotel La Mariposa which has an amazing infinity pool.
If your hotel doesn’t have a view, watch the sunset from the beach, Playa Espadilla Norte. It is equally as lovely!
Many restaurants on the hill also have a beautiful view and offer happy hour from 4-6 PM. Cafe Agua Azul, Rafaeles Las Terrazas, Emilio’s Cafe, Barba Roja and El Avion all have amazing ocean views and are great places to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset.
White Water Rafting
Looking for a fun outdoor adventure? Go white water rafting! From Manuel Antonio, you can raft El Chorro, Naranjo or Savegre.
El Chorro is best March and April and is for extreme and experienced rafters, Naranjo is June to November and Savegre is all year round.
Savegre is best for first timers or families.
Don’t miss our Manuel Antonio tours discount to save some money on activities!
Manuel Antonio Day Trips
If you plan to use Manuel Antonio as a homebase, there are many day trips. Here are some of our favorites.
- Nauyaca Waterfalls: These waterfalls are deep in the jungles outside Dominical. Hike, take a 4×4 truck ride or horseback ride to these gorgeous waterfalls. About a 50 minute drive one way. You can also take a tour with transportation with Paddle 9.
- Tortuga Island day cruise: Cruise through the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island’s beautiful white sand beach. Snorkel, jet ski, hike, banana boat or just lay out in the sun. From Manuel Antonio, tour companies usually require a minimum of 4 passengers. You can also drive to Jaco (1 hour) or Puntarenas (2 hours and 20 minutes) to meet the boat.
- Los Campesinos Ecolodge Waterfall: This lovely lodge in the rainforests outside of Manuel Antonio has waterfalls, natural pools and hiking trails on their property. Great for a less touristic activity for those who love nature and hiking.
- Caño Island snorkeling: For great snorkeling, drive 1 hour to Uvita to do the Caño Island snorkeling tour. The Manuel Antonio area doesn’t have good snorkeling but Caño Island Biological Reserve does!
- Whale Watching: The very best place for nearly a guaranteed chance to see humpback whales in August and September is in Uvita, 1 hour south.
- Jaco: If you didn’t stop by Jaco on your way to Manuel Antonio, you can spend a day there to watch the surf competitions at Playa Hermosa or explore the town.
- Marino Ballena National Park: This national park in Uvita is completely different to Manuel Antonio National Park with dark sand beaches, way less people and awesome humpback whale watching!
Manuel Antonio Hotels
If you want to splurge on a luxury hotel, Manuel Antonio is one of the best places to do it, especially if you are on your honeymoon in Costa Rica! Otherwise, there are a TON of hotels of all price points.
Here are some of our recommendations for hotels in Manuel Antonio.
Tulemar: has vacation rentals and bungalows, 24 hour concierge service, $$$$
Hotel La Mariposa: Gay friendly, great infinity pool and view of the national park. $$$
Costa Verde Hotel: cabinas with full kitchen and ocean views) This hotel also has a cabana made from an old airplane! $$-$$$
Hotel San Bada: At the entrance of the park with rooftop pool, ground pool, spa and restaurant. $$-$$$
Tico Tico villas: Adults only. Apartment style, pool. $$
Manuel Antonio Travel Tips
- Manuel Antonio is 3.5 hours from San Jose. From San Jose, you can fly to the local Quepos airport or take the bus to Quepos (6, 9, 12, 2:30 PM, 6 PM and 7:30 PM from Calle 5, AV 19/20 Terminal Transportes Tracopa) and then take the bus from Quepos to Manuel Antonio. Or you can rent a car from San Jose and drive. The route goes through two main highways and are all paved.
- This area is very hot and humid so bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat and mosquito repellent. Pack lots of quick dry clothes.
- The busiest times in Manuel Antonio are mid December – April and July/August. Quietest times are September – November.
- In rainy season, it is usually sunny in the morning and rains in the late afternoons. Go as early as possible for best weather.
- Quepos is the closest town to Manuel Antonio and there is a bus from Quepos to the national park that runs every 15 minutes
- It is best to book tours before your trip in high season (December – April).
Read about other things to do in Costa Rica below!
Awesome things to do in Puerto Viejo
Best things to do in La Fortuna
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
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Sammi says
Hi Monique, you can read our post about Paquera, Costa Rica here.
Monique says
Your blog is very informative. A group of friends and I are travel to Costa rica in October. We’re staying in Provincia de Puntarenas, Paquera. We’re trying to figure out which airport should we fly into. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Max says
Hi There,
Thank you for all this info.
My wife and I will be traveling to CR in late Feb, a total of 9 nights. We are thinking of doing 4 nights in La Fortuna and 4 nights in Manuel Antonio. Generally speaking, is this enough time to explore both areas?
For Manuel Antonio, if we spend 4 nights there, is it worthwhile to go to Jaco or Uvita for a day each?
For La Fortuna, what would you recommend for a 4 night stay?
Thanks so much!
Sammi says
4 nights in both places is a great amount of time, I love Uvita, Costa Rica and highly recommend visiting the Marino Ballena National Park
You can read our La Fortuna guide for information.
Brooke says
The bus is now 340 colones
Robyn Casper says
We want to do some snorkeling around Manuel Antonio. Can you suggest some good beaches for snorkeling in that area??
Sammi says
There isn’t really good snorkeling at Manuel Antonio unfortunately. You can try to take one of the boat trips where they take guests to a spot for snorkeling off the coast but it’s not very good.
Brooke says
You can snorkel at Playa Biesanz and see coral and fish
Nicole says
Hello,
Thanks for all of the excellent information. It is very helpful in planning our trip to Costa Rica. I have two boys who would like to surf. We have a limited amount of time so I’m wondering how the surfing is in Manuel Antonio? They are beginner to intermediate surfers. Thanks.
Sammi says
Manuel Antonio, I have heard is usually good for shortboards so sounds like they can do it being beginner to intermediate surfers. You can also check out Dominical, not too far from Manuel Antonio.
Jb says
Manuel Antonio surf school is amazing with kids. We have done two lessons two different trips and the kids loved it.
Sammi says
Thats great to hear! Thanks for the feedback.
Cathy says
Can you leave the park for lunch and return later that day without paying?
Sammi says
I believe you can (I am not 100% positive though because they are doing a lot of changes to Manuel Antonio NP so don’t quote me), the thing I know is that they only let a certain number of people in the park a day so if they hit the limit, they won’t allow you to go back in. I would ask your hotel to be absolutely sure if you can leave and go back in without paying, I have usually heard it is OK if you keep and show your ticket to the entrance office but they have made a lot of chances to the parks’ rules regarding number of visitors this year.
Monica Pressley says
Hey Sammie,
Great website you have here. I just wanted to give a shout out to an amazing hotel I stayed at in La Fortuna. Brisas Arenal was a magical place to stay and the family that owns it are so sweet and welcoming. So if anyone is looking for a place to stay just a touch outside of town that is quiet, peaceful and beautiful they should consider this place!
Sammi says
Thank you for the recommendation and feedback. We are always looking for great hotels to recommend! Thank you for reading Mytanfeet and glad you had a good time in CR!
Alexa says
Hello, I was wondering where the best part of the Manuel Antonio area is best for snorkeling
Sammi says
Hi Alexa, Manuel Antonio doesn’t have that great snorkeling but you can try to go around Biesanz Beach or take one of the catamaran tours as they take you a bit further out to a rocky area for snorkeling
Corinne Scott says
Hi, can you just turn up at kids save the rainforest, and where is it, what time does it open?
Sammi says
No, they require reservations which you can make on their website, they don’t allow people to show up.