La Trampa — pre-Columbian fish trap (Playa Manuel Antonio)
Landmark · Central Pacific · hidden gem
At the right-hand end of Playa Manuel Antonio, beside Punta Catedral, a semicircle of stones appears at low tide: an ancient trap that Indigenous people used to catch fish and turtles as the water drained out.
closed on Tuesdays; open Wed–Mon 7:00–15:00; outside food and drinks are not allowed
- Cost
- about $18
- Time there
- 20 min
- Best time
- any time
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 6 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 3 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 9.37981, -84.14602 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Entry
- $16 for visitors · ₡1,600 for residents · foreigners 2–12: $5 + IVA, under 2 free; residents 6–12: ₡500, under 6 and over 65 free · park entry only; foreign prices are + IVA (13%)
- Payment
- online
- Tickets
- Online only, book ahead
- Parking
- No parking
- Facilities
- restrooms, showers, lockers, food, drinking water
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Bring
- ticket bought online at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr, ID or passport, reusable water bottle
- Fewer people
- come at the 7:00 opening; September–October is the quietest period
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Check the tide table before you go: the stone circle only shows clearly at low tide.
Be careful
Keep an eye on your belongings in busy town centres, and dress respectfully if you go inside a church.
Getting there
Inside Manuel Antonio National Park; visible only at low tide.
Places nearby
- Restaurante Marlin (Playa Espadilla)Food & CoffeeBeachfront restaurant facing Playa Espadilla, known for grilled calamari, octopus, whole fried fish and fish casados at fair prices, with cold beer and piña coladas and a relaxed family atmosphere.
- Morpho Beach BarFood & CoffeeOpen-air beach bar and restaurant steps from Playa Espadilla near the park entrance, with live music and salsa nights; howler monkeys and birds in the trees around.
- Aguas Azules Parasailing (Playa Espadilla)Surf, Boats & Diving · from $40Parasailing from Playa Espadilla with 10-13 minute flights over the Manuel Antonio coast, plus jet ski rentals and tours, banana boat, snorkeling, surf lessons and a sunset cruise.
- Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest ResortStaysSustainable luxury resort set in 11 acres of rainforest next to Manuel Antonio, with direct access to two beaches.
- La Terraza Café Bar RestauranteFood & CoffeeTerrace restaurant next to Hotel La Arboleda with a wide Pacific view; best known as a sunset spot.
- Si Como No Resort & Wildlife RefugeStaysEco-minded resort on the Manuel Antonio hillside with its own wildlife refuge.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9414285602 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9414285602 · https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/acopac/pnma/pages/default.aspx · https://www.komoot.com/highlight/7325525