20 Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio is a coastal town in Costa Rica known for its popular national park, stunning beaches and abundant wildlife. And of course, there’s no shortage of Pura Vida! There are many amazing things to do in Manuel Antonio, both inside and outside the grounds of the Manuel Antonio National Park. I recently spent 10 days in Costa Rica, with two full days in Manuel Antonio, so I have some informative insights to share with you.

In this Manuel Antonio travel guide, I’m going to show you the best places to visit in Manuel Antonio, whether you spend one, two or three days there. I wouldn’t recommend trying to take a day trip to Manuel Antonio as you need to spend at least a day at the national park. Spend at least two days in Manuel Antonio (and the nearby small town of Quepos) if you can.

About Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is a coastal town in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. The town of Quepos in Puntarenas, located to the north, serves as the gateway to Manuel Antonio. And of course, a main feature of the town is the Manuel Antonio National Park, an area rich in biodiversity between its rainforest, mangroves, beaches and lagoons.

While the national park is the main attraction, there are many more things to do in Manuel Antonio aside from the park (but don’t skip visiting the park!). You can enjoy the public beaches, go for a hike, stay in beautiful hotels or backpacker hostels, dine at local restaurants, take surf lessons, take a catamaran tour to go snorkeling, and the list goes on.

Manuel Antonio is perfect for outdoor adventurers or laid back beachgoers. There’s a really relaxed, beach town vibe. Since it is a popular tourist destination, the prices tend to be a little higher here than other areas of Costa Rica. While Costa Rica is generally easy to travel around as an English-speaking person, I found that most people in Manuel Antonio spoke English and restaurant menus had an English version.

Getting to Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is approximately three hours from San Jose. If you plan to visit Manuel Antonio or travel around Costa Rica, it’s a good idea to fly into San Jose like I did when I traveled to the country. I recommend comparing rates for flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, to find the best price.

While I took a guided tour of Costa Rica for 10 days that included a guide and transportation, you will need to find a way of getting around the country. 12Go is an excellent option for booking transportation. There are several ways to get from Manuel Antonio to San Jose (and vice versa), including transportation by van, taxi and bus.

Renting a car is another great option. Please be mindful that some of the roads around Costa Rica twist and turn through the mountains. Driving a car in Costa Rica isn’t for everyone! At the same time, the drive to Manuel Antonio isn’t as difficult as some other places around the country. To reach Manuel Antonio from San Jose, you will drive on some highways and flat coastal roads.

I always suggest comparing car rental prices in advance to find the best rates. I love Discover Cars because you’ll be able to see all car rental companies and car options listed in one place, and it’s so easy to book directly through them. Book your car rental here.

Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio. Established in 1972, it’s the smallest national park in Costa Rica at 680 hectares. It’s also one of the most popular national parks in Costa Rica, receiving over 150,000 visitors a year.

Manuel Antonio National Park is popular for good reason: it’s one of the most biodiverse parks in Costa Rica through its combination of rainforest and ocean ecosystems. There’s a tropical forest, a mangrove, a marine environment, islands and a lagoon.

As you can imagine, you’ll be able to spot a wide variety of land animals, birds, and sea life here. The national park is one of the main reasons why travelers visit this coastal town, and it’s not to be missed. I’m going to show you the best things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park, as well as some vital details you need to know in advance.

Important Details to Know Before You Go

Planning your trip to Manuel Antonio National Park? Here are a few details that you need to know before you arrive. First, the national park, including the beaches and trails inside the park, are open from 7:00am to 4:00pm daily (including holidays), except for Tuesdays.

The park is closed on Tuesday to give the wildlife a break from the tourists. If you find yourself in Manuel Antonio on a Tuesday, the public beach outside the park (Espadilla Norte) is accessible daily. The town will be much quieter on a Tuesday. Some shops will close on Tuesdays, but most restaurants stay open and other tours operate as regularly scheduled.

Do not bring food of any kind into the park. Your bags will be searched by security at the gates and any food will be thrown out. You can bring water, soda or juice in a reusable container into the park (no disposable plastic water bottles). Pets are not allowed in the park, and neither are drones.

How to Purchase Tickets

I suggest buying tickets at the official website for the Manuel Antonio National Park in advance because they limit the amount of visitors each day. You can only buy your ticket for that day, and it cannot be used for multiple days.

Make sure you buy your tickets well in advance, especially during busier times (December to April, and June to August). The number of visitors fluctuates and has been as low as 600 visitors a day up to 3000 visitors a day. It seems like they’re allowing a little over 1000 visitors into the park each day right now, meaning that you’ll need to reserve your place as soon as you can.

When you buy your entrance tickets to the park online in advance, you will need to register with your passport number. Be sure to bring your passport (or a copy of the photo page) with you to the park. If you book a guided tour at the official website, it includes your entrance fee and your guide will have your ticket. You can also book your guided tour here, which includes the park entrance ticket.

If you don’t have a guide, it’s no problem. The guides can help you find wildlife and you’ll be able to look at the sloths, monkeys, etc., through their scope. But, this park is teeming with wildlife and you’ll likely be able to spot much of it on your own. It’s no problem to book a self-guided tour of the park without a guide in this instance.

Parking at Manuel Antonio National Park

If you are driving to Manuel Antonio National Park, there is no parking at the gates of the national park. You will need to find somewhere else to leave your car and walk down to the front gates. I suggest staying at a hotel near the national park, like my number one suggestion, Hotel San Bada. You can leave your car at the hotel throughout your stay.

Otherwise, you can use one of the private parking areas near the national park. The rates for parking are generally around ₡4000-₡5000 for the day near the park entrance. There may be overpriced parking on your way down towards the park. I suggest leaving your car at your hotel and either walking to the park or taking a taxi or shuttle to the park.

Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio National Park: Swim at the Beaches

There are a few beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park featuring warm, wavy waters and beautiful views all around. Playa Manuel Antonio is the main beach that could be the most crowded when you visit, but it’s worth checking out. When I traveled to Costa Rica in May, this beach wasn’t busy at all.

There’s a wide expanse of soft sand, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees on the Pacific Ocean. The waters are quite wavy, so you’ll need to watch out for the larger crashing waves. The waves might send you tumbling towards the shore if you’re not paying attention, but it’s all part of the fun.

Playa Espadilla Sur is another main beach at Manuel Antonio National Park. While we set up shop at Playa Manuel Antonio for the day, Playa Espadilla is another good bet for an easily accessible, long stretch of sand with turquoise waters.

There’s a third, smaller beach called Playa Gemelas. You’ll need to hike on the Playa Gemelas Trail to reach this one. It is more secluded and less busy. If you’re visiting the park during high tourist season, you may wish to make the additional trek to escape the crowds.

Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio National Park: Look for Wildlife

This national park is home to a wide array of flora and fauna, one of the most biodiverse in all of Costa Rica. Officially, the park has registered 352 species of birds, 109 species of mammals, 346 species of plants, and a large assortment of underwater creatures.

Some notable animals that you should look for at Manuel Antonio National Park include titi monkeys (squirrel monkeys), howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys (capuchin monkeys), two and three-toed sloths, coati, toucans, scarlet macaws, and others.

You can see wildlife on the trails walking in and out of the park. However, don’t worry about not being able to see capuchin monkeys. They’re everywhere! You will see many of them down by the beach. Be mindful of your belongings. Capuchin monkeys are known to steal backpacks while you’re swimming in the water. They’ll open your bags and rifle through them, looking for food.

Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio National Park: Hike the Trails

There are several hiking trails at Manuel Antonio National Park. You’ll be able to walk on at least a couple of them on your way to the beach and back. From the main gate, we walked on the Sendero Principal (Main Trail), a flat, gravel path, surrounded by massive trees. It is 2.2km in length and you’ll need to walk this distance to reach the beach. From here, we spotted wildlife like squirrel monkeys, iguanas, and even a sloth!

On the way back from the beach, we walked on a different hiking trail beside Playa Espadilla Sur (Espadilla South Beach) and then on a boardwalk back up towards the main gate. From this trail, we saw many capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, iguanas and crabs down below the boardwalk.

There are a few other trails in the park, including the Playa Gemelas Trail, Punta Catedral Trail, Miradores Trail, Catarata Estacional Trail, and Puerto Escondido Trail. As you can see, you can really spend a full day hiking at Manuel Antonio National Park if you’d like.

Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: The Beaches

Aside from the beaches in Manuel Antonio National Park (Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Gemelas), there are many public beaches that you can enjoy for free. While the beaches at the national park close on Tuesdays, these beaches are open daily.

You should definitely spend time at the beaches in the national park, if possible. They tend to be quieter and surrounded by wildlife. There also won’t be any vendors, large beach tents, beach chairs, people playing music through Bluetooth speakers, or nearby hotels. The beaches feel more preserved and pristine. They also include nearby amenities, such as bathrooms and showers.

Playa Espadilla (also known as Playa Espadilla Norte) is the main public beach in Manuel Antonio. It starts at one end near the national park and extends to Playa Playitas. There are many attractions and amenities available from this main beach, like surfing, renting jet skis, or purchasing souvenirs from vendors. You can pick up food from restaurants on the beach. If you continue along this beach and reach Playa Playitas, you’ll find this area is a little less busy and less touristy.

Continuing north up the coastline, Playa Biesanz is a small stretch of sand situated in a quiet crescent-shaped bay. You can rent kayaks and surfboards here. This is a great beach for families with small children as the waters tend to be a little calmer in the cove. You can also go snorkeling here, though I don’t suggest trying after a rainfall as the water becomes too murky.

Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: Best Activities and Tours

After you’ve spent a day at the Manuel Antonio National Park, I suggest spending at least one more day in town participating in an activity or excursion. There are many tours and attractions in Manuel Antonio. You could easily spend a week in Manuel Antonio if you’re looking for a beach vacation. Here are my top choices for more things to do in Manuel Antonio besides the national park.

Catamaran Tour

On my second day in Manuel Antonio, I embarked on a catamaran excursion and I’m so happy that I did. It was so much fun! We took a half day tour aboard the catamaran, Ocean King, which was fully equipped with tanning meshes, Jacuzzis, two waterslides and snorkeling equipment. They also provide you with a wrist band where you’ll receive up to four alcoholic beverages and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages.

The crew members were so helpful and friendly, offering to take photos and bring drinks to you, no matter where you were relaxing on the boat. We were told that we might be able to spot dolphins and whales during our boat ride, which we did not (we weren’t visiting during whale watching season). We also didn’t end up snorkeling as there was rain the night before and it made the waters too cloudy.

However, we had an amazing time on board the catamaran. The drinks were flowing, and the scenery was incredibly pretty. We glided along the water and admired the mountains and rocky islands in the distance. Lunch is also included on this trip.

We eventually reached the spot where the boat came to a halt. This is where you can choose to swim or snorkel. You can use the waterslides or if you’re feeling more daring, you can jump off the second floor deck of the catamaran into the water below. I ended up jumping into the water and it was super exhilarating (and scary!). The water is really warm and calm, so our group had a wonderful time going for a dip.

I highly recommend taking this catamaran tour aboard the Ocean King. There are a few other catamaran tours out there, but our boat definitely looked like it had the best slides and amenities. When you visit Manuel Antonio, it’s always good to explore by land and by sea. Book this tour here.

Nauyaca Waterfalls

Nauyaca Waterfalls is a popular day trip from Manuel Antonio. While this natural attraction isn’t right inside the town (it’s about an hour’s drive away), it’s worth including on this list of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio due to its close proximity.

On this excursion to the Nauyaca Waterfalls Nature Park, you’ll have ample time to swim around the waterfalls and take photos. This small group tour has a maximum of 8 travelers, and it also includes lunch. Book your tour here.

Kayaking at Damas Island Mangrove Estuary

On this kayaking trip at Damas Island, you’ll discover a portion of Central America’s largest mangrove forest ecosystem. You’ll kayak around these massive twisted roots and encounter wildlife like monkeys, reptiles and birds in their natural habitat.

This kayaking tour includes roundtrip transportation from your local hotel in Manuel Antonio, as well as lunch or dinner depending on the time of day. You’ll learn about wildlife, history of the area, and so much more from your guide. Book your tour here.

Go Surfing

Have you ever tried surfing before? Whether you’ve surfed before or you’re brand new to the sport, Costa Rica is an amazing surfing destination. One of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio is try a surfing lesson from the beach.

This small group surfing excursion ensures that you have personalized attention to help you learn how to surf or brush up on your skills. You’ll learn the best techniques and essentials in a safe environment. In between surfing, you will have access to comfy beach chairs in the shade, as well as snacks and drinks. Book your excursion here.

Zip Lining in Manuel Antonio

Zip lining is such a bucket list activity for Costa Rica, so why not check it off your list in Manuel Antonio? This canopy tour in Manuel Antonio allows you to soar from high up above Manuel Antonio National Park. See the park from a whole new perspective, flying high in the sky!

You’ll travel across 11 ziplines, 22 platforms, two suspension bridges, and a Tarzan swing. Your nature guide will also tell you more about the wildlife in the area. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to spot a sloth or a monkey from above the forest canopy. Regardless, this is such a thrilling adventure. Book your tour here.

Take a Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica is famous for a few delicacies as I discovered when I took a chocolate, coffee and sugarcane tour in the Monteverde area. It’s also possible to take a chocolate plantation tour from Manuel Antonio, too. You’ll learn about the local ecology of the cacao plant and see where chocolate comes from. Then, you’ll learn more about the production process and the grinding of the cacao beans.

Finally, you’ll be able to sample chocolate, sugarcane candy and specialty coffees. This tour is approximately three hours long, which leaves plenty of time to do more things in Manuel Antonio for the rest of the day. Book your tour here.

Whitewater Rafting on the Savegre River

Are you a thrill-seeker? It’s possible to go whitewater rafting near Manuel Antonio on the Savegre River. This is a full day tour from Manuel Antonio where you’ll ride a 4×4 into the jungle. Then, you’ll venture down the river with professional guides to navigate the exhilarating river rapids.

This is a family-friendly adventure tour on class II and III rapids. You’ll meander down the river past flora and fauna, viewing beautiful waterfalls and wildlife on the way. This tour also includes a hearty lunch after you reach the end of this 13-mile journey. Book your tour here.

Take a Guided Nocturnal Walk

We took a night walk in Monteverde, so we didn’t end up doing this in Manuel Antonio. But, at some point during your trip to Costa Rica, you should take a guided naturalist tour through the forest. You’ll be able to spot all kinds of wildlife that only comes out at night.

See frogs, snakes, lizards, spiders, owls, birds, insects and more! While I’m typically pretty creeped out by bugs and spiders, it was pretty cool to view them from a distance. This rainforest night tour takes place at the fascinating Rainmaker Conservation Park. Book your tour here.

Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: Unique Restaurants and Dining

Manuel Antonio has many restaurants for every taste, ranging from traditional Costa Rican fare to fast food and healthy fresh eats with fruits and vegetables. As someone who follows a vegan diet, there were endless options on plant-based sections of restaurant menus and fully vegan eateries. Here are a few of my top picks for restaurants in town.

El Avion

El Avion is a must visit restaurant and bar in Manuel Antonio. It’s world famous because this restaurant is built around an airplane! The C-123 Fairchild cargo plane has been transformed into a pub and the rest of the restaurant and patio is situated around the plane. You can go inside the plane and even sit inside the cockpit for photos.

This restaurant is perfect for its yummy eats, refreshing cocktails and sunset views. There’s a plant-based section of the menu with stir-fried rice, a burger, cauliflower wings, linguine, nachos and a poke bowl. The folks at El Avion also own a few other establishments in town, including El Wagon. It’s a pizzeria where you can dine in an antique rail car.

Ronny’s Place

Ronny’s Place was another restaurant that our tour guide, Olman, recommended to us. This is a longstanding restaurant in Manuel Antonio, open since 2003. The owner, Ronny Alpizar, decided to open his own restaurant after working in the hotel industry for many years.

You’ll find traditional Costa Rican dishes, sandwiches, pasta, and seafood. I noticed a few vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu as well. While we didn’t dine here when we visited, it’s a great option for those looking to watch the sunset while they eat.

Natural Food

Natural Food is a vegetarian establishment offering acai bowls, smoothies, falafel, waffles, ice cream and coffee. Sadly, Natural Food is closed on Tuesdays. Otherwise, I was totally set to dine here! This place is right near the beach, so it’s a convenient spot to check out on a beach day (unless you are visiting on a Tuesday!).

Varuna Plant-Based Food and Juice Bar

Varuna Plant-Based Food and Juice Bar is actually located up the hill in Quepos, but it’s worth the trip if you’re seeking healthy vegan eats. They serve light bites, savory bowls, zoodles, smoothie bowls, as well as a vast smoothie, juice and coffee menu. Varuna has dishes prepared with whole foods, made lovingly from scratch, that are equally tasty as they are beautiful on the plate.

Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: Go Shopping

Souvenir shopping? Looking for new beach attire? There’s no shortage of shopping in Manuel Antonio. Browse by the beachy booths and wander into gift shops during your stay. There are souvenirs, accessories, jewelry, clothing, and so much more. Please note that many smaller booths and some shops close on Tuesdays when the national park is closed.

Watch the Sunset in Manuel Antonio

Situated on the west coast of Costa Rica, one of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio is admire the gorgeous sunset. There are many vantage points all over town to see the sunset. You can watch it directly from one of the beautiful beaches.

I also suggest heading to a restaurant or bar that offers sunset views. We had dinner at El Avion, which is a restaurant perched high on the hill and facing the ocean. You can watch the sunset while enjoying delicious food and drink. Ronny’s Place is another restaurant where you can see the sunset.

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio

Looking for where to stay in Manuel Antonio? In terms of location, you can’t get any better than Hotel San Bada. It’s located right at the park entrance to the Manuel Antonio National Park! You quite literally walk outside the front of the hotel and you are at the front gates to the national park.

Hotel San Bada offers spacious and comfortable accommodations in the heart of Manuel Antonio. My room was quite large with a small patio (or balcony, if you stay on a higher floor). You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle as the wildlife from the national park could pay you a visit. It’s possible to see monkeys and iguanas right from your room.