Are you traveling to Costa Rica soon? Then you should visit Manuel Antonio National Park! My sister and I visited during a recent trip to Costa Rica and we truly loved it.
Manuel Antonio National Park is the perfect combination of nature, wildlife, hiking and beaches. Although it is the smallest park in Costa Rica – it measured just 683 hectares – it has an incredible variety of fauna and flora due to its unique location.
Various types of monkeys and birds, both types of sloths (two- and three-toed), iguanas, snakes and much more can be seen in this lush rainforest. Many of these animals obviously make it all the way to the beach, where you can also find crabs and hermit crabs.
Inside the park the landscape is truly incredible: mangroves, a waterfall, four beaches, and 12 small islands. It is a unique place! If a Costa Rica trip is in the plans, make sure not to skip Manuel Antonio.
To help you plan your visit to this wonder of nature, I wrote this concise guide with all the useful information you may need.
For more activities in Manuel Antonio, read my post The Best Things To Do In Manuel Antonio.
If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, make sure to also read my post The Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park Worth Visiting?
Manuel Antonio is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica – if not the most visited one altogether. Once there, it is easy to understand why.
First of all, it is accessible to everyone, even to travelers with limited mobility or visually impaired. Thanks to the paved trails and to Braille signed panels this park is a real examplel of inclusion and integration.
Secondly, Manuel Antonio National Park is small but holds so much richness: in fact, it is easy to see animals here. Thanks to the well-marked trails, you can explore independently, although I recommend hiring good guide: a trained eye can spot animals even in the distance or camouflaged in the vegetation.
In addition, guides in Costa Rica usually carry a telescope and are perfectly trained to explain local wildlife in as much detail as you may wish. Don’t worry, I will share my tips on guided tours and guides at Manuel Antonio in a bit.
Finally, Manuel Antonio National Park has the added bonus of a few gorgeous beaches where you can relax after exploring.
Hiking In Manuel Antonio National Park
Hiking in Manuel Antonio National Park is a necessity more than an actual challenge – the park can only be explored on foot (there are accessible trails for people with limited mobility). Make sure to grab a map of the park (or take a photo of the map at the main entrance) so that you can explore more easily.
There are several trails inside the park, and you will have plenty of opportunities to see Manuel Antonio National Park wildlife, so don’t go off the marked trails! It could be dangerous because there are also many venomous hidden snakes and spiders.
These are the main trails in the national park:
Sendero Principal (Main Trail)
This is the widest and most crowded trail in the park. It starts from the main gate and goes to the café. If you don’t have a guide, follow this trail so, in addition to the animals that you can easily spot on your own, you can see groups that stop because their guides have spotted them.
Lazy Trail
This is the second most popular trail after the main trail, because it connects the food court to Manuel Antonio Beach. It is a slightly steep but short walk on a paved path. On the side there are changing rooms you can use to get ready for the beach.
Sendero Playa Gemelas (Playa Gemelas Trail)
As the name implies, this trail leads to Gemelas Beach. It is connected to two other trails and runs through the western part of the park. Playa Gemelas is smaller and less frequented than the main two beaches in the national park. Past the rocks, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Manuel Antonio beach and Punta Catedral.
Sendero Punta Catedral (Punta Cathedral Trail)
This is a circular trail that stretches for about 0.8 miles (1.4 km) on the peninsula between the beaches of Manuel Antonio Beach and Espadilla Sud.
Punta Catedral was originally an island, but then, with the accumulation of sediment and sand, it became permanently attached with the mainland. When we visited the trail was under maintenance and we could not walk it – but apparently it’s the best trail in the park!
There’s a turret at the beginning of the trail from where you can get a nice view.
Sendero La Catarata (Waterfall Trail)
This trail is about 0.3 miles (500 meters) long and is mostly on a wooden boardwalk. The walk is easy but there are several steps with ascents and descents.
The trail passes through dense forest; it is less crowded than the main trail and leads to a small waterfall, which however cannot be accessed. On the way, there are many panels with useful information about the flora and fauna.
Sendero El Perezoso (Sloth Trail)
This trail is parallel to the main one and goes into the forest. Although it is named after sloths, it’s not guaranteed that you will see them in the park. The trail starts near the entrance and leads to Manuel Antonio beach. We walked this trail on the way back from the beach, and found it very pleasant and easy.
Sendero Universal (Universal Trail)
This trail starts from Sendero el Perezoso. Along the way you can find lots of signs with interesting information about the flora and fauna – even in Braille.
Sendero La Trampa (La Trampa trail)
This is a short and not very beaten trail near the beaches and in the thickest vegetation.
Sendero Mangle (Mangrove trail)
This is a short path on wooden boardwalks that goes on mangrove swamps and offers a shortcut from the entrance to Playa Espadilla.
Sendero El Mirador (Mirador Trail)
This is one of the longest hiking trails in the park (0.8 miles / 1.3 km). The trail passes Playa Gemalas and continues up to the viewpoint from where you can see Punta Serrucho (Saw Tip).
The walk to the viewpoint is pretty much entirely uphill, but you can stop for views along the way. There are also panels along the way where you can read information about the local flora and fauna.
Beaches In Manuel Antonio National Park
There are four beaches Manuel Antonio National Park. They have some similarities, but each one is slightly different from the others.
Playa Espadilla Sur
Playa Espadilla Sur is the longest beach in Manuel Antonio National Park. It faces west. The sunset here is unique and wonderful from this beach, but unfortunately the park close too early to be able enjoy it.
Anyway, Playa Espadilla Norte is just outside the National park and offers the same beautiful sunset. This beach is one of the busiest, along with Manuel Antonio. Like all the beaches inside the Park, it has white and fine sand, turquoise water and a dense vegetation behind.
Manuel Antonio Beach
Manuel Antonio is a beautiful crescent facing southeast and is certainly the busiest beach in Manuel Antonio National Park. The beach is sheltered, so the waves are smaller than in Playa Espadilla Sur, which means swimming is easier.
However, do not trust swimming far away from the shoreline because the currents can still be very strong.
Playa Gemelas
Of all the beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Gemelas is the smallest and faces southwest. It is the quietest beach because the trail to reach it is uphill. Once you are there, you can enjoy some peace and quiet. The trail to the beach starts behind the food court.
Playa Escondido
This is in the westernmost part of the park, facing southeast. Although it is large, it is little frequented because it is farther away.
Tips to enjoy the beaches in Manuel Antonio
Here are a few additional things to know that will help you make the most of the beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park.
BEWARE OF STRONG CURRENTS AND DEBRIS – There can be strong currents in every beach, so don’t stray far from the shore and always keep an eye out for your children. During the rainy season, a lot of debris and leaves are washed into the ocean, so the sea is not as clear as usual.
FIND A SPOT UNDER A TREE – Remember to pack a beach towel in your bag so you can lie down. There are plenty of trees where you can find some share. Don’t underestimate the power of the tropical sun!
BEWARE OF MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE – There are lots of crabs and hermit crabs at the beach. Not far from the beach, you can even spot large iguanas lying under the sun. Finally, there are monkeys and raccoons and these two are particularly cheeky, so keep an eye on your belongings as they may take your bags looking for food
Manuel Antonio National Park Hours
Manuel Antonio National Park is open every day from Wednesday to Monday, including holidays, from 7:00 am till 4:00 pm. The park rangers normally ask the people to leave the beach at 3:00 pm so everyone has enough time to reach the exit by 4:00 pm.
Since the park can get really busy, I highly recommend arriving there at 7:00 am, as soon as it opens, so you can explore it without the crowds. The noise of large groups may scare the animals. In any case, most animals tend to be more active in the very early hours.
You can spend the peak / hottest hours grabbing a bite at the food court and chilling out at the beach. Most large groups leave in the early afternoon, so you can walk the trails without the crowds after they leave.
Manuel Antonio National Park Tickets
Manuel Antonio National Park entrance fee is as follows:
ADULTS (FOREIGN) – $16 USD + tax;
KIDS FROM 2 TO 12 YEARS OF AGE – $5 USD;
KIDS UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE – FREE
Admission is limited to a maximum of 600 visitors per day. Remember Manuel Antonio is the busiest park in Costa Rica, so you need to buy your ticket in advance before your visit.
You can purchase Manuel Antonio National Park tickets through the official website of national parks in Costa Rica. You will be asked to create an account but the procedure is quite easy. Be sure to bring the tickets with you together with a copy of your passport, as you have to show them at the gate!
Manuel Antonio National Park tickets are valid only and exclusively for the day and the person displayed on the ticket and they are not transferable or refundable.
One thing to be aware of is that at times tour companies buy large number of tickets and try to resell them at a higher price. To prevent being stuck without a ticket and depending on them, don’t leave booking until the last minute!
Should You Do A Manuel Antonio National Park Tour?
When we visited Manuel Antonio National Park, we actually had a guide and we found this a great way of exploring the park and learning about its secrets.
Guides have a well-trained eye to find hidden and camouflaged animals. They also bring a telescope with which you can clearly see animals and birds in the distance. You will get beautiful photos through the telescope.
My personal advice is to book a guide as soon as you purchase the entrance ticket to the park, especially during high season.
We went with Berny of Nature Walks Costa Rica and we couldn’t have been happier: he is an outstanding guide with in-depth knowledge of the local environment and wildlife.
Another option is to book a guided Manuel Antonio National Park tour online – this is especially good for those that don’t want to drive to the park, as it includes transportation too. I found this tour of Manuel Antonio that is very reasonably priced and has very good reviews.
For more guides, you can look on the official website of the park. Guides can also be found hanging out by the park entrance. Before hiring them, make sure they are certified guide (they will have a badge showing they are) and that they have a telescope. Discuss the details of the tour – price (it’s usually around $10 per person per hour), duration, etc before you agree.
Best Time To Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is open throughout the year. Keep in mind that the dry season in Costa Rica starts in December and ends in April, consequently, the rainy season runs from May to November. The weather is always hot and humid (and even more humid in the rainy season).
We visited in mid-November and had a wonderful, sunny and hot day perfect for exploring and then spending time at the beach.
During the dry season, the park is really crowded. In general, you will find many people during school holidays: Christmas and New Year’s, Easter and Summer, as well as on weekends.
What To Wear And Bring To Manuel Antonio National Park
For a smooth visit, make sure to wear light clothes: the weather is hot and humid. Shorts and a t-shirt will be ok, as long as you apply mosquito repellent.
There’s quite a bit of walking to do inside the park, so make sure to wear a pair of hiking sandals or good walking shoes.
Make sure to bring a swimsuit and a towel so you can hang out at the beach at the end of your visit (there are changing rooms you can use).
During the rainy season, bring a good rain jacket and waterproof backpack cover too.
Other things you will need for your visit are a copy of your passport (you may be asked for proof of ID at the entrance); sunblock; mosquito repellent; a refillable water bottle (there are fountains around the park where you can refill).
A number of items are forbidden, and your bags will be searched for any prohibited items. These include: plastic bottles, food (especially if wrapped in plastic), alcoholic beverages and cigarettes; speakers and weapons.
My post The Best Costa Rica Packing List gives a bit more guidance on what you should pack for your trip.
How To Get To Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is in Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica, about 105.6 miles (170 km) from San José. You can easily get there by car or public bus, and there even are guided day trips from San José to Manuel Antonio, though I recommend spending a few days in the area to take in everything it has to offer.
By bus
If you are traveling by bus from ,San Jose you first need to travel to Quepos. The service is run by Tracopa and the first bus is at 06:00 am, whereas the last bus is at 04:45 pm. Buses run almost every hour and take about 3.5 hours to get to Quepos.
Once in Quepos, buses to Manuel Antonio leave every 30 minutes from 5:30 am until 9:30 pm. The bus will drop you off in the village, about 200 meters (0.1 mile) away from the park entrance. You may want to ask the driver where to get off just in case.
The bus journey is very inexpensive – just make sure to have change in local currency (Colones) to pay for your fare.
By car
Renting a car in Costa Rica is a great idea to move around. We did that and loved exploring on our schedule.
If you are traveling by car from San Jose, take Ruta Nacional Primaria 27 and get out at Jaco. You need to continue on Carretera Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno/Costanera Sur/Ruta Nacional Primaria 34 to Quepos and then to Manuel Antonio. Keep in mind this is a toll road so keep a card or change handy in order to pay. The journey will take you about 3.5 hours.
First time in Costa Rica? Make sure to read my post How To Drive In Costa Rica.
I also have a full guide on How To Rent A Car In Costa Rica that will take you through all the steps you need to follow and everything you need to know before you rent.
Once you are in Manuel Antonio, finding a parking spot may be tricky so make sure to head there nice and early.
The nearest parking lot to the national park is opposite El Faro Beach Hotel. You will be driving along the main (or rather, only) road into Manuel Antonio. Turn left at Restaurante Marlin and keep going for 0.1 mile (200 meters), till you see El Faro Beach Hotel and, in front of it, the car park.
There’s another parking lot, on the same narrow road, on the left. You can park there if the first one is full.
Official and unofficial car-park attendants (whom you can recognize because they wear a yellow reflective vest and a whistle) will tell you if there are available places and will lead you there (and guard your car) for a small tip. Regardless of that, don’t leave anything in the car.
Other Useful Information
There are fountains along the trails inside the national park; toilets and changing rooms are found on the trail that goes to the beach.
There also is an enclosed food court with a small souvenir shop where you can get some (quite basic) snacks and meals, drinks and ice-cream. The area is gated and caged because Manuel Antonio National Park wildlife – especially monkeys – can be attracted by human food, which is not good for them.
Further Readings
For more guidance to plan your trip to Costa Rica, you could read the following posts:
- The Best Things To Do In San José
- A Complete Guide To Tortuguero, Costa Rica
- What To See And Do In Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
- How To Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
- How To Visit Rio Celeste Waterfalls
- 15 Beautiful Waterfalls In Costa Rica
- A Short Guide To Marino Ballena National Park
- The Ultimate Guide To Caño Island
- Is It Safe To Travel To Costa Rica?
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