Manuel Antonio National Park
Trail · Central Pacific
Costa Rica's most famous small park: easy jungle trails full of sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys, ending at white-sand coves like Playa Manuel Antonio, plus the Punta Catedral loop with ocean lookouts.
- Cost
- about $18
- Time there
- 4 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 8 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 9 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 9.39118, -84.1454 — Google Maps
Tip
Closed on Tuesdays. Tickets (about US$16 plus tax for foreigners) are sold only online through SINAC and sell out in high season, so book ahead and arrive at the 7 am opening. A guide with a spotting scope finds far more wildlife.
Be careful
Never feed or leave food out for the monkeys and raccoons: they grab bags and can bite. Food is restricted inside the park, so check the current list of allowed items.
Getting there
Open 7 am–4 pm, Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesdays); beaches inside close at 3 pm. Online ticket required, usually with a set entry time.
Places nearby
- 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.
- 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.
- 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/2571836855 · Wikidata Q112854 · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112854 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2571836855 · https://mytanfeet.com/activities/hiking-at-manuel-antonio-national-park/ · https://ticotimes.net/?p=146308