If you dream of seeing sloths in the wild, monkeys swinging above you, and then cooling off on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches all in the same day, Manuel Antonio National Park delivers. It may be the smallest national park in the country, but its also one of the most unforgettable.
Bill and I have visited twice, and both times we left with new stories, new wildlife sightings, and sand still clinging to our shoes. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
PLAN YOUR TRIP WITH OUR
FAVORITE TOOLS
– Best Lodging site: Booking.com
– Book Day Tours here: Viator.com
– Rent Cars here: DiscoverCars.com
Why Visit Manuel Antonio?
Manuel Antonio is the perfect blend of jungle and beach. Within a short walk, you can see:
- Sloths dangling high in the treetops
- White-faced capuchin monkeys playing in the branches
- Iguanas basking in the sun
- Gorgeous beaches with warm Pacific waters
Its also one of Costa Rica’s most popular parks’so planning ahead matters.
Need-to-Know Before You Go
Park Hours & Days
- Open: 7:00 AM 4:00 PM, Wednesday through Monday
- Closed: Tuesdays (for trail maintenance and ecosystem recovery)
- Beaches close at 3:00 PM – Rangers will clear them out an hour before the park closes so you have time to walk back to the entrance before 4:00
Tickets
- Tickets must be purchased online in advance at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr
- They are NOT sold at the entrance – arrive without one and you’ll be turned away
- You’ll need your reservation and passport handy
- Early morning entry times sell out fast – book as soon as you know your dates
- SINAC is not the most user-friendly system. I wrote a step-by-step guide to getting your tickets reserved.
What to Bring (and What Not to Bring)
Bring:
- Backpack – preferably one that’s waterproofed
- Rain Gear
- Hat
- Passport
- Money to buy food
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Closed-toed Shoes or hiking sandals (I wore my water shoes)
- Swimsuit and Towel
- Waterproof bag to put your stuff in while swimming
- Camera or phone
- Refillable water bottle – you can bring in water or other non-alcoholic beverages
Don’t bring:
- Food: The Park does not allow any food at all to be brought into the park. They will inspect your bag at the entrance.
- No Single Use plastics
- Beach Umbrellas
- Coolers
- Surfboards
- Footballs
- Large bags or backpacks
- Drones
Food in the Park
There’s only one cafeteria, located near the all the main trail hubs. Its convenient, but pricey ($2 for a glass of water, $9 for cold-pressed juice). And crowded! The day we stopped, there was over an hour wait standing in line to get food.
We opted to eat just outside the park at local restaurants after we left.
Getting There & Parking
- By Car: Paved road all the way from Quepos. Main paid parking lot is $10/day near the entrance. Ignore aggressive unofficial parking attendants along the road.
- By Bus: Frequent public buses from downtown Quepos ($1 USD), will drop you by the beach near the entrance. Use the Rome2Rio app to find the schedule.
- By Tour: Many guided tours include transportation – see below in the Guide or No Guide section for my recommendations.
- By Hotel Shuttle: Many hotels in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area offer free shuttles to the National Park for their guests.
Always take all of your valuables with you. Even in paid lots, theft happens frequently.
Experiencing Manuel Antonio: Wildlife, Beaches, and Trails
The Wildlife of Manuel Antonio
This is sloth territory! Both two-toed and three-toed sloths live here, but they blend in so well, you’ll almost certainly miss them without a guide. Other regulars include:
- Capuchin monkeys (fun to watch, but guard your backpack!)
- Coatimundis (raccoon-like creatures)
- Agoutis (rodents that scurry along the trails)
- Iguanas, basilisks and land crabs
Birding is tougher here due to the dense foliage, but toucans, macaws, and even hawks sometimes appear.
The Beaches of Manuel Antonio
The Beaches of Manuel Antonio are stunning! But remember: no rentals, no lifeguards, and the rip tides can be strong. Take turns swimming if you’re with a group so your belongings aren’t left unattended.
- Playa Manuel Antonio – the parks most popular beach and often ranked among Costa Rica’s best. Broad sandy area, plenty of room to spread out. Bathrooms, changing rooms, and calm swimming.
I swam here to cool off after I hiked the steep uphill Lookout trail!
- Playa Espadilla Sur, just across from Manuel Antonio beach, but quieter and less crowded.
- Playa Gemelas is a hidden gem reached by challenging trail, often nearly empty.
The Trails of Manuel Antonio
In general, all the trails (Senderos) at Manuel Antonio are very well-maintained and easy to transverse. Some are paved with concrete, some are boardwalks, some are hard-packed gravel or dirt.
There are lots of educational signs available so you can learn about the plants and animals – especially helpful if you aren’t taking a guided tour.
Entrada Principal / Access Road / Main Trail (1.1 km/.7 mile)
This wide gravel main road leads from the Park Entrance to the Cafeteria and bathrooms where you can connect to lots of other trails. There is an abundance of wildlife (sloths, monkeys, lizards and agoutis) along the road. Almost all the tour groups use this road because it can accommodate large numbers of people.
Sendero Perezoso / Sloth Trail (Universal Trail) (1.1 km/.7 mile)
This handicapped accessible trail runs parallel to the Main Road. The first part is an elevated boardwalk, then packed gravel trail. It’s a great place to find sloths high up in the trees or colorful crabs down on the ground.
You will feel more like you’re in the jungle on this path and there are far less people on this trail. Plus there are great educational signs all along the path.
Sendero Mirador / Lookout Trail (1.3 km/.8 mile)
This out-and-back trail starts behind the Cafeteria and climbs up to two different scenic overlooks. There are a lot of steep steps. I took my time and I stopped to rest a LOT, but the views from the overlooks are beautiful. There are benches to sit and rest on at each of the overlook platforms.
The first overlook looks towards Punta Caterdral, the second looks towards the coastline on the eastern side of the park. Both were great photo ops!
Sendero Playa Manuel Antonio / Manuel Antonio Beach Trail (400 m / .25 miles)
This is a popular trail that takes you from the Cafeteria/Bathroom Intersection, down to the beach. If you’re lucky, you might spot Sloths, Monkeys and the racoon-like Coati.
There are more bathrooms and changing rooms as you get closer to the beach. There is also a water fountain to refill your water bottle with drinkable water. And there’s a great park sign where you can take a picture to prove you have been there!
From the Park sign, keep walking along the sandy trail for awhile, past the climbing tower (nothing to see here in my opinion) and eventually, you’ll reach Playa Espadilla Sur.
Sendero Punta Catedral / Cathedral Point Trail (1.4 km/.86 miles)
This loop trail begins when you reach Playa Espadilla Sur and turn to the left. It takes about an hour and gives you stunning views of the surrounding beaches and jungle that most park visitors miss. It’s also one of the more challenging hikes in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Sendero Playa Espadilla Sur / Espadilla South Beach Trail (1 km/.6 miles)
This sandy path takes you along the length of the South Beach, starting to the right at the beach. It’s shaded and cool and there are lots of monkeys along the trail. We also saw tons of Iguanas and various crabs on the ground.
At the end of the beach, this trail offers the last bathroom/shower in the park. There are also places to wash the sand off your hands and feet.
Sendero El Manglar / Mangrove Trail (1km / .6 miles)
As you pass the bathroom, take a right and you will find a lovely boardwalk trail that passes through a large mangrove swamp to take you back to the park entrance. Along this trail, you might find monkeys, iguanas and Agouti. Others have reported seeing Toucans and Macaws along this trail.
And there are several benches to sit down on along this trail. Hurray!
You can also start this trail back at the Park Entrance, instead of taking the main road. At the junction, you can either go straight on the Sloth Trail to the Cafeteria/Bathrooms, or take a right to go to Playa Espadilla Sur.
Kari’s Travel Tip: If you choose to go right, you will have a quieter experience because 95% of the people go the other way. In this case, you’d see the park in a counter-clockwise path. Highly Recommend!
Should You Hire a Guide?
Bill and I have visited Manuel Antonio National Park both with and without a guide—and both options have their perks. Here’s what to expect so you can choose what fits your travel style.
Go With a Guide
If spotting sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas and other tiny camouflaged creatures is high on your list, then a certified guide is 100% worth it. They bring high-powered scopes (you can take close-up photos through them!), share fascinating ecosystem facts, and they know all the spots where the wildlife hides.
Kari’s Travel Tip: We recommend booking your guide in advance through a trusted platform like Viator. At the park entrance and nearby parking areas, dozens of people will offer to guide you—but most of them are not certified, even if they’re dressed like official park rangers. It’s confusing on purpose. Save yourself the stress (and the cash) by booking a real tour ahead of time. Here are my recommendations:
Why I Use Viator for Booking Tours
Viator makes it easy to reserve now and pay later, and most tours include free cancellation up to 24 hours before. It’s great if your plans shift last minute.
Here are three top-rated options—each offering something a little different:
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour
Spot wildlife with a guide in a group capped at 10 people. You’ll need to buy your own park ticket and arrange transport, but it’s a fantastic intro to the park’s biodiversity.
- Deluxe Private Manuel Antonio Park Tour
Just you, your guide, and all your questions. Great if you want to linger longer or focus on photography. You’ll still need to get your own admission and ride to the park.
- Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking Guided Tour
One of the only tours that includes it all—admission, guide, and hotel pickup/drop-off. Perfect for a seamless experience if you’re staying nearby.
Don’t forget, if your tour does not include admission to the park, you’ll need to reserve your entrance ticket on your own. Here is everything you need to know to do that!
Go On Your Own
Want full flexibility and a cheaper day out? Going solo means you can hike at your own pace, swim when you want, and skip the crowds. If you want to linger in an area, you can. If you get bored, you can move on.
Just know—on our self-guided day, we saw zero sloths or birds. With a guide? Three sloths, multiple monkey troops, tons of crabs, iguanas, insects and so much more.
Kari’s Travel Tip: Definitely, hire a Guide if it’s your first time to Manuel Antonio. You will get way more out of the experience and save yourself a lot of disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Manuel Antonio
Do I need a ticket to get into the park?
YES, you must have a paid reservation for a specific time slot. You will be turned away if you show up without one.
Tickets must be booked online at the SINAC website. It’s a funky website with a lot of quirks and confusion. Here is everything you need to know to navigate the site step-by-step.
How long should I spend in the park?
If you desire to lay on the beach or hike the trails after your guided tour, you can easily make a whole day of it. If not, go in early and be done by Noon or 1:00. We entered at 7:30 AM, hiked 75% of the trails and left the park just before 1:00 PM.
Are there bathrooms available inside the park?
Yes, there are four. One right at the entrance, one near the Cafeteria, one near Playa Manuel Antonio and one at the far end of Playa Espadilla Sur.
When’s the best time to visit Manuel Antonio National Park?
Typically, the driest time of year is mid-November to mid-April. This makes it a popular time to visit the area so the crowds will be bigger and the prices for area accommodations will be higher. Here’s where to stay.
The opposite half of the year – mid-April to mid-November is typically the Rainy Season. Far fewer crowds to share the trails with and potentially lower accommodation prices.
Are pets allowed in the park?
No, pets are not allowed anywhere in Manuel Antonio National Park.
What’s the difference between Manuel Antonio and Quepos?
The National Park is called Manuel Antonio and so is the town immediately outside the park. The town of Manuel Antonio is full of resorts, hotels and restaurants catering to the tourists who visit the park.
When you are reading about Manuel Antonio, sometimes you have to distinguish whether the writer is talking about the park (at Manuel Antonio), the town (in Manuel Antonio), or the general area of Costa Rica that contains the park. This is especially true when looking at descriptions of activities on platforms such as Viator or Get Your Guide or Trip Advisor.
Quepos is a separate, larger town about 15 minutes away by bus and car. It too has accommodations and restaurants, but also has a marina, parks, bigger grocery stores, banks with ATMs and more.
If you have any more questions about the Park itself, check out the official website.
Conclusion: Is Manuel Antonio National Park worth visiting?
Most people have a STRONG opinion about Manuel Antonio. It’s either THE most beautiful place on the planet. Or it’s overcrowded, too touristy and the worst place in Costa Rica.
I’m in the middle. The Beaches are gorgeous, seeing a sloth in the wild is a thrill and the monkeys are always fun to watch. The hiking trails are easy to follow and well maintained. Tons of amazing photo opps and the info boards are full of great information.
But there is a definite lack of food options. We chose not to stand in line for an hour at the Cafeteria. So for the last hour, I was sooo hungry that I really didn’t enjoy myself very much.
Our advice: go early, bring what you need, and hire a guide for your first visit. If you do, Manuel Antonio National Park is 100% worth checking off your Bucket List.
More Info on Costa Rica
Here are some more posts about Costa Rica, including some that I’m still working on. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.
- Amazing Costa Rica 7 Day Itinerary for Nature Lovers
- Ultimate 2 Week Costa Rica Travel Itinerary for Nature Lovers
- What to Pack for Costa Rica: A Nature Lover’s Packing List
- Costa Rica Facts & Travel Tips – For First Timers
- Colorful Birds of Costa Rica – A Photo Album
- Sodas in Costa Rica – An Affordable & Delicious Experience
- How to Make the Most of Your Day at La Paz Waterfall Gardens
- Buy Costa Rica National Park tickets without pulling your hair out
- Everything You Need to Know about Driving in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica on a Budget: Lodging, Food & Fun For Less
Monteverde / Santa Elena Rainforest Area
- Where to stay in Monteverde / Santa Elena – Luxury to Budget to Unique
- 25 Epic Things to do in Monteverde / Santa Elena
- Where are the Best Places to Find Birds in Monteverde?
- 14 Awesome Cheap and Free Things to Do in Monteverde
Manuel Antonio / Quepos Area
- Manuel Antonio National Park: How to Have an Amazing Day
- Beyond the Park: 25 Great Things to Do in Manuel Antonio
- The 12 Best Hotels in Manuel Antonio & Quepos for Every Budget
- Carara National Park: Macaws, Monkeys & the Crocodile Bridge
- Whale Watching in Costa Rica at Marino Ballena National Park
- 12 Best Free and Cheap Things to Do in Manuel Antonio / Quepos
La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano Area
- 10 Best Places to Stay in La Fortuna Costa Rica
- Don’t Miss These 24 Unique Things to Do in La Fortuna
- Our Costa Rica Cooking Class – Did it Live up to the Hype?
- 10 Best Free and Cheap Things to Do in La Fortuna / Arenal