Manuel Antonio, a small coastal village nestled along the Central Pacific coast, is known as one of the best family destinations in Costa Rica because of its natural tropical beauty, fun outdoor adventures, excellent tourist infrastructure and plethora of wildlife.
Whether your kids seek exciting activities or leisurely excursions, Manuel Antonio delivers an impressive range of options to fulfill every family’s needs.
This post will be detailing the best things to do in Manuel Antonio with kids, broken down by age. That way, you can see what tours your children can go on and decide how to plan your vacation.
This post has affiliate links which we may earn a small commission from if you choose to purchase.
Manuel Antonio: Know Before You Go
- Location: Central Pacific in the Puntarenas province.
- Why visit: Rainforest, wildlife, outdoor adventures, beautiful beaches
- Distance from international airport: ~5 hours from Guanacaste Airport and ~3 hours from San Jose International Airport by car
- How to get there: Direct public bus from San Jose to Quepos. Private or shared shuttle or driving.
- Airport: Manuel Antonio has its own airport called Aeropuerto La Managua. 5 minutes drive to Quepos. Direct local flights from San Jose Domestic Terminal.
- 4×4 Required? No.
- Weather: Hot and humid all year long (average day time temperatures 85° F or 29° C). Follows the tropical dry (December through April) and rainy season (May through November) but being tropical rainforest, it can rain in as late as end of December and as early as end of April.
MUST BRING: Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, after sun gel, insulated water bottle, swimming goggles for the kids, swim/sun shirt, sun hat or visor, dry fit/moisture wicking clothes, water shoes or sturdy walking shoes. Check our full Costa Rica packing list and get our FREE packing check list!
Things to Do in Manuel Antonio With Kids
The tours mentioned below are tours that our partner in Manuel Antonio offers. If you are interested in booking any of them, we offer a small Manuel Antonio tours discount.
For those of you renting a car and would like to do some activities on your own, I’ll share how to do so (when possible).
MORE PLANNING TIPS: La Fortuna + Manuel Antonio is an extremely family friendly Costa Rica itinerary. Please read our 1 week Costa Rica family itinerary that flies into SJO Airport and goes to La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio to help you plan your family vacation. This itinerary works well for spring break.
We wrote a similar blog post about things to do in La Fortuna with kids, with a breakdown by age so you can see what tours your kids can do!
Tours With No Age Minimum
Here are the things to do in Manuel Antonio with kids that do not have an age requirement so you don’t have to worry about leaving anyone behind!
With our partners, they do not charge the normal tour price for children under 6, but there may be a small fee.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, playful monkeys, and excellent hiking trails, has to be on your list of things to do in Manuel Antonio with kids.
You do not need to go on a tour or hire a guide to enjoy the park. However, having a guide can be a great experience for families with kids who love animals.
A knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide can truly enrich your visit, as they’ll share the secrets of the tropical rainforests and surrounding beaches.
Furthermore, they’ll point out the various animals that pass through the national park, notably the white-faced monkeys and sloths.
If you decide not to hire a guide, you can easily visit the national park on your own with the kids. You can drive to the national park, call an Uber/taxi or take the public bus between Quepos and the national park (runs every half an hour).
You can walk a couple of their trails, swim at the beach, watch the monkeys, and discover why Forbes once named Manuel Antonio National Park one of the most beautiful national parks in the world with your family.
IMPORTANT: You must purchase park tickets beforehand. They do not sell tickets at the door. Purchase your park tickets on the SINAC website. For the high season months December through April, buy your park tickets or book your tour at least 2-4 weeks in advance. Plan your trip to Manuel Antonio National Park with our detailed guide in the link.
Damas Island Mangrove Boat
Duration: 4 hours
Pick up time: According to the tide. Consult us for pick up times.
The Damas Island Mangrove offers visitors a way to experience the precious mangrove ecosystem and see its unique inhabitants.
On this leisurely motorized boat ride through the mangrove, you can see animals like caimans, crocodiles, snakes, river birds, iguanas, lizards, and monkeys.
As the tour requires next to no walking, it’s a very nice and easy way to see wildlife and nature with seniors and babies/infants.
Furthermore, this tour includes lunch/dinner (depends on the time of the tour) so you have food covered for the kiddos.
For the older kids, they do offer this tour by kayak instead of motorized boats. We’ll talk more about this tour as its minimum age is 6.
IMPORTANT: The time of this tour depends on the tides as the boat ride can only operate in high tide.
Catamaran Adventure
Duration: 5 hours.
Schedules: 8 AM and 1 PM
The afternoon tour does not operate from May through November
A Manuel Antonio catamaran cruise is a fantastic way to discover the beautiful coastal landscapes and ocean scenery of Manuel Antonio. The catamarans depart from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos and cruise past the secluded beaches until finally docking at Playa Biesanz.
This tour is one of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio with kids as they’ll get to swim in the warm tropical waters, snorkel with fish, and possibly see other wildlife like turtles and humpback whales.
Also, the boat we were on even had a water slide for the kids. We watched a group of teenagers go on the water slide over and over and over again. They couldn’t get enough of it!
IMPORTANT: Humpback whale season is best August and September.
Surf Lessons
Duration: 3 hours
Time is according to tide.
Experience the feeling of dancing in the ocean with your kids on a surf lesson in Manuel Antonio. They’ll take you to the perfect spot for beginners and first timers, so you don’t have to worry about a thing but having fun with the kiddos in the ocean.
Your instructor will cater the lesson to your family’s experience level and age. We highly recommend a private surf lesson, so that your family gets all the attention.
Local Flavor Experience (Spice, Farm and Cooking Tour)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Schedules: 8 AM and 2 PM
Morning with lunch, afternoon with dinner
This tour does not operate in the afternoon during May, September, October and November.
Experience Costa Rica cuisine with your kids on this fun and educational tour. You’ll first stop at a local farmers market to learn about the local produce and pick out your ingredients.
Then you’ll go to our partner’s private ranch up in the mountains outside of Manuel Antonio to tour their organic garden, pick more ingredients and then start cooking!
Kids will see fruit trees look like, how to pick their own veggies and make their own corn tortillas. This tour is a 100% hands on experience for you and the family to learn about organic farming and Costa Rican food.
The best part is that you’ll get to cook your own meal with the family and then enjoy it together.
Jungle Night Walk
Duration: 3 hours
Pick up time: 530 PM
Meals not included.
The tropical rainforest comes alive at night and if you have any insect/reptile/amphibian loving kids, they will love this jungle night walk in Manuel Antonio.
Your knowledgeable guide will find critters like spiders, frogs, lizards, scorpions, sleeping birds, and much more during this 2 hour walk through a private reserve next to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Kids will be able to see these animals up close in a safe environment.
Spice Tour (Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee & Spices)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Schedules: 8 AM with lunch, 2 PM with dinner
This tour does not operate during May, September, October and November in the afternoon.
Although this tour may seem better for adults, they won’t have to worry about leaving any little ones behind as our partner welcomes children of all ages on the Manuel Antonio spice tour.
This tour takes you to their private farm where you will see how some of Costa Rica’s most important crops are grown, harvested and processed. Everyone will have a chance to taste the yummy treats made during the tour.
Usually the kids favorite part of the spice tour is the small farm tour since they get to see and feed rabbits, goats, horses, ponies, chickens and sheep.
Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
Whether you’re a kid or an adult, any animal lover will have a great time at the wildlife sanctuary, Kids Saving the Rainforest. Take a 1.5 hour tour to see how this sanctuary rescues, rehabilitates, and releases animals back into the wild.
For an even more enriching experience, you can choose to be a full-day volunteer with your family. Assist the staff with cooking, preparing food, and feeding the animals.
IMPORTANT: A 4×4 and reservations are required.
Ages 5-12
Kids ages 5-12 will be able to participate in more adventure activities.
Horseback Riding through the Jungle (7 and up)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Pick up: 8 AM and 2 PM
This tour does not run in the afternoon during May, September, October and November.
Explore the tropical rain forest with your trusty steed on this horseback riding tour. You’ll ride up a rainforest covered mountain for beautiful valley views and wildlife spotting opportunities before the final stop at a waterfall.
Kids have to be at least 7 years of age to do this tour. Each child will ride their own horse. Unfortunately, they will not allow younger kids, even riding in the same saddle as an adult.
Lunch is included in the tour so you won’t have to worry about hungry kiddos after the ride.
Damas Island Mangrove Kayaking (6 and up)
Duration: 4 hours.
Pick up time is according to tide. Consult us for pick up times.
This tour is the same as the previously mentioned Damas Island Mangrove by boat, but this one is via kayak. Kids 6-15 will go in a double kayak with an adult, 16 and up can go in their own kayak.
The kayak tour is a bit nicer than the boat, because your guide will take you through small channels in the mangrove where the large motorized boats cannot go.
Without the motor, all you’ll hear are the jungle noises around you as your family quietly glides through the mangroves to get an even closer look at the wild animals.
Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling (8 and up)
Duration: 4 hours
AM and PM schedules available.
This tour does not operate in the afternoon during May through November.
Explore the beautiful Manuel Antonio coastal landscapes by kayak with your family.
This is a tour geared only for active families, as it is a 2.5-hour kayak paddle along the coastline from the Quepos pier to Playa Biesanz. At Biesanz Bay, go snorkeling to see fish or rest on the beach.
After the kayaking workout, you’ll have a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
Kids who are at least 8 years old can join this tour. They must go in a double kayak with an adult. No previous kayaking experience is needed.
Ziplining (6 and up)
Duration: 3 hours
Schedule: 730 AM, 11 AM and 230 PM
Ziplining is a MUST for a family bonding activity! Kids need to be at least 6 years old to zipline, and this ziplining tour is perfect for first-timers and beginners.
There are 12 cables, 22 platforms, one rappel, a Tarzan swing, and a treetop suspension bridge, so the whole family will have a blast adventuring through the tropical rainforest canopy together.
The ziplining park is only 5 minutes from downtown Quepos and includes lunch, so it’s an ideal half-day family excursion without much travel or effort.
Savegre River White Water Rafting (8 and up)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Pick up: 8 AM
To do something other than go to the beach, opt for a white water rafting trip with the family. Kids have to be at least 8 years old to participate in this exciting Class 2 and 3 trip down the Savegre River.
It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Manuel Antonio to the river operation center, so the kids must be able to tolerate a long bus ride and rafting 2.5 hours down the river.
There are a few stops during the rafting portion to observe beautiful scenery and wildlife. This way, the kids can have a break to rest and maintain their stamina and excitement levels.
After all that fun, everyone will be hungry! Lunch is served after the rafting.
Rafts can hold up to 6 passengers with the guide, so it’s a fantastic activity for family groups to stay together in a raft. This rafting tour is ideal for first-timers, beginners, and kids.
Naranjo River White Water Rafting (10 and up)
Duration: 4.5 hours
Pick up: 8 AM and 1130 AM.
Only available May to December.
If you have older kids who really want an exciting outdoor adventure, the Naranjo River provides solid Class 3 and sometimes Class 4 rapids.
Kids must be at least 10 years old to participate. This white water rafting family trip will create core memories for the rest of their lives!
The drive to the river’s starting point is 40 minutes from Manuel Antonio. The Naranjo River takes you through outlying rainforest-covered mountains and past palm plantations and small towns.
The Naranjo River’s rapids are big enough for everyone to get an adrenaline rush, and your trusty guide will take you through the best parts of the river. The last few rapids are smaller and offer calm moments to enjoy and appreciate the natural scenery.
The total rafting portion is 1 hour and 45 minutes, so kids must have good stamina as they will be paddling for a significant amount of time through Class 3 and sometimes Class 4 rapids.
Lunch is provided after the rafting, so you won’t have to worry about hangry kids afterwards.
IMPORTANT: The Naranjo River rafting tour operates only during May to December.
Ages 12+
Kids ages 12+ will be able to participate in even more adventures!
El Chorro White Water Rafting/Extreme Raft (16 and up)
Duration: 4 hour tour (half day).
Pick up: 830 AM and 12 PM (can choose between morning and afternoon)
Available January to April only.
It’s an extreme white water rafting experience for good reason: this section of the Naranjo River called “El Chorro” provides solid Class 4 rapids during the dry season.
This tour requires all participants to be in good physical shape. Kids older than 16 with an athletic nature will be able to participate in this very special rafting adventure with their family.
The rapids travel through narrow gorges, providing unbeatable views that few get to see. Although the entire tour is around 4 hours and the rafting portion is slightly shorter than previous tours, the bigger rapids create even more thrill and excitement.
Snacks are provided at the end of the rafting tour, so you can replenish your energy.
As it is a half-day tour, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day (probably by taking a nice long nap).
Fishing Charter (recommended for older kids)
Quepos is one of Costa Rica’s best fishing destinations. Every year, the marina holds several fishing competitions where anglers from all over the world come to participate.
If your family loves fishing, charter a boat with knowledgeable local fishermen to take you to the best spots. They’ll help you catch fish such as Mahi-Mahi, Jack Crevalle, Snapper, Amberjack, Tuna, and Mackerel.
Older kids who have fishing experience will love fishing out of Quepos! They will feel like they own the world when they reel in their big catch of the day.
You can charter a boat for a half or full day fishing and include snacks, refreshments and meals. Many of these boats are well maintained and well equipped with bathrooms.
However, we don’t recommend fishing charters for babies, infants, or young children, as it can be a very intense day under the hot and humid sun. And there isn’t really anything else to do, besides sit on the boat while waiting for the fish to bite.
Other Things to Do in Manuel Antonio With Kids That Don’t Require a Tour
There are also plenty of things to do in Manuel Antonio with kids that don’t require a tour. Here are our recommendations.
Playa Espadilla and Playa Manuel Antonio (The Beaches Outside the National Park)
The beaches outside the national park are very popular. They have soft sand, lovely blue colored water and views of the national park.
As the beaches are outside the national park, you don’t need to pay any entrance fee.
You can spend a whole day at the beach. Swim, make sand castles, take a nap. There are umbrellas and chairs for rent, beachfront restaurants and mini markets and unbeatable sunset views to enjoy.
IMPORTANT. If you swim, do NOT let kids go in alone. ALWAYS stay with the kids and do NOT go out far. There can be very strong currents.
If you feel like making some more epic core memories with the family, you can sign up for a parasailing tour. I did this with my parents and it was one of the best things we’ve done together. It was so much fun and my mom had a blast!
Parque Nahomi
This small park by the Marino Pez Vela is a nice spot to people watch and hang out with locals. There are picnic tables, outdoor gym equipment and an observation point for views of the bay.
You can grab some snacks and drinks and head there with the family to hang out for a little bit, if you have some down time and want to get out of the hotel.
You can also stop by the Marina to go shopping, they have some nice stores.
Nauyaca Waterfalls (Day Trip)
Although the Nauyaca Waterfalls are not in Manuel Antonio, they’re only a 1 hour drive away near Dominical.
For the outdoorsy family with older kids, this will be a day trip to remember as you visit two breathtaking waterfalls in the jungle.
If you have a car, you can drive to the waterfall park yourself. If you do not have a car, you can book a tour that provides roundtrip transportation.
Then, there are 3 ways to get to the waterfalls. Hike, horseback ride or ride the 4×4 truck.
The distance from the entrance to the waterfalls is around 4 miles (7 km) total. If you have active older kids who have a lot of stamina and need to burn all that energy, you can hike.
However, if anyone in the family has heart problems, are not in good physical condition, have asthma, are pregnant, elderly or are not able to walk for long periods of time on dirt/mud paths, we do not recommend the hike. It’ll be better to ride the 4×4 truck.
Moderately active kids can opt for the horseback riding tour (includes lunch and a small breakfast). Reservations required. Children must be at least 3 years of age and have to ride their own horse.
Recommended Hotels for Families
Manuel Antonio has something for everyone for accommodation, but definitely more for those who have deeper pockets.
If you’re coming with multiple families, a big family or require multiple rooms, be prepared to shell out some serious cash for a luxury beach resort/nicer accommodations.
You can find tons of Airbnbs and VRBOs if you prefer a home setting. If you’re on a tighter budget, consider staying in Quepos, not in Manuel Antonio.
Here are some of our recommended Manuel Antonio hotels for families.
Arenas del Mar: One of the most highly rated family hotels in Manuel Antonio. They offer connecting rooms and suites, ideal for families with more than 2 kids. Furthermore, they have direct access to Playitas Beach and a ton of wildlife on the property as well as offer kid friendly in house tours.
Shana by the Beach: A lovely beach resort with their own trail to Playa Biesanz. They offer 58 sq meter (620 sq ft) suites that hold up to 4 people with two king size beds, great for young families. They also offer suites with shared or private pools. Their studio suite has a fully equipped kitchen.
Los Altos: This family friendly hotel offers family vacation packages that include dining credit, massages for the parents, kid friendly tours and a variety of suites and villas. You can even host your family reunion here, as they have a 400 sq meters (4300 sq foot) penthouse with four bedrooms on three floors!
Parador Nature Resort: Another beautiful resort with various rooms for families of all sizes and ages. Their family suite has 3 king size beds and is 2200 sq feet / 204 sq meters so you’ll have plenty of rooms for everyone. For younger families, they have tropical rooms with 2 queen beds that are more budget friendly.
Tulemar: With 4 person bungalows and vacation homes with full kitchens, Tulemar is perfect for young families or multiple families. If you have more family members, rent one of their private homes which have multiple bedrooms, a private pool and fully equipped kitchens. Tulemar has a gorgeous property with their own beach access and sloth walk. Every booking comes with their own concierge, which will help make traveling with kids a lot easier.
Sample Manuel Antonio Family Itineraries
We have written a one week Costa Rica family itinerary that goes to La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio, flying in and out of San Jose International Airport. Check it out for our detailed recommendations!
Check out our “Things to Do in Manuel Antonio” guide for more ideas if you have older kids (adult age) that you don’t need to worry about compared to if you have babies, infants or young kids.
Don’t forget, if you’re interested in any tours, get our Manuel Antonio tours discount here!
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