Things to do in Manuel Antonio
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Manuel Antonio
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Best weather core of dry season, calm seas and peak prices and crowds.
Dry season edges, with Christmas, New Year and Easter weeks the busiest and priciest of the year.
Shoulder months with mostly fine mornings, thinner crowds and softer prices.
Green season, lush forest and fuller rivers, bright mornings with afternoon rain, whales arriving from July.
Rainiest months and worst for beach weather, but peak humpback season and the most spectacular waterfalls.
What's on
- Whale and Dolphin Festival early September, 4 to 6 September in recent listings
Festival in Bahia Ballena, Uvita, built around peak humpback season with tours, food and craft fairs.
- Independence Day lantern parade evening of 14 September, Independence Day 15 September
Children carry handmade lanterns in Quepos, with school bands and parades for national day.
- Envision Festival late February, dates vary by year
Music, art and yoga gathering at Uvita that fills hotels across the Costa Ballena area.
- Marina Pez Vela sportfishing tournaments spring tournament weeks
Major offshore tournaments bring the fleet and marina parties to Quepos in the first part of the year.
Best things to do in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park
Costa Rica in miniature: guided scope walks find sloths and three monkey species where trails end on white sand coves.
Playa Manuel Antonio
Sheltered white sand crescent inside the park with calm swimming and wildlife in the treeline behind your towel.
Playa Espadilla Sur
The quieter, wilder in-park beach across the tombolo, with forest to the sand and a fraction of the crowds.
Punta Catedral
Short headland loop with the classic coastal view, best walked early before a swim on the beach below.
Playa Biesanz
Calm, semi-secret cove reached by a forest path, the most reliable local spot for a gentle swim and light snorkelling.
Playa Espadilla Norte
The big lively public beach for surf lessons, chair rentals and the town sunset ritual over the Pacific.
Mercado Municipal de Quepos
Friday night and Saturday morning farmers market with local prices on fruit, cheese, coffee and prepared food.
Kids Saving The Rainforest
Rescue sanctuary founded by two nine year olds, funding real rehabilitation, reforestation and monkey bridges.
Where to stay in Manuel Antonio
Mid-hill, Km 3 to Km 5, Manuel Antonio road
first trip, all-round best base
Best hotels and restaurants within a short bus hop, ocean views and breezes, away from the park gate scrum.
Park entrance and Playa Espadilla end
car-free, park and beach on foot
Walk to the 7am park entry and sunset beach, with hostels and simple hotels, but the tout strip on your doorstep.
Biesanz side road
beach-first, calmer stays
Side road towards Playa Biesanz with the calmest swimmable cove a short stroll away and a quieter feel.
Quepos town
budget, fishing crews, long stays
Cheaper rooms and food, marina and market on hand, but grittier and not a place for late night strolling.
Think twice about
- Quepos centre as a night-time holiday base
A rough-edged port town with petty theft. Fine by day for market, marina and sodas, but taxi home after dark and sleep up the hill if budget allows.
- The park-gate strip
The last few hundred metres before the park entrance are the centre of the parking and fake-guide hustle and the least restful stretch to sleep on.
- Isolated villas on unlit side roads off the Manuel Antonio road
No walking anywhere, taxi dependence for every meal and a dark walk home if a taxi does not show. Vet the exact map location before booking.
Best restaurants in Manuel Antonio
Emilio's Cafe
Consensus favourite for every meal, Mediterranean Costa Rican cooking, famous desserts and a sweeping ocean view.
La Luna Restaurant
Special occasion terrace with inventive local cooking, sunset tapas and a near panoramic coastal view.
El Lagarto
Wood fired grill institution turning out steaks and seafood platters in a lively open air room.
Restaurante Ronny's Place
Family run sunset terrace with sangria, seafood platters for two and one of the great ocean views.
Agua Azul Cafe
Small view cafe punching above its size with fish tacos, calamari fajitas and strong margaritas.
Manuel Antonio Falafel Bar
Israeli run street food spot for falafel, shawarma and shakshuka, the best cheap lunch and vegetarian option.
Cafe Milagro
Quepos roaster with garden cafe, proper espresso and deep breakfast, lunch and vegetarian menus.
Soda Sánchez
Quepos soda benchmark for a proper local casado with fresh juices at a fraction of hill prices.
Outdoor things to do in Manuel Antonio
Savegre River
Clean Class II and III river through primary rainforest with a waterfall swim stop, the best full day out.
Naranjo River
Steeper Class III and IV half day for experienced paddlers, at its best with rainy season water levels.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Two huge tiers dropping into a deep swimmable jungle pool, worth the drive south and an early start.
Rainmaker Park
Quiet private reserve of hanging bridges, rainforest trails and river swimming pools without the big park crowds.
Damas Island
Tidal mangrove channels full of monkeys, anteaters and herons, by easy boat or quieter kayak at tide times.
Marina Pez Vela
Departure point for catamaran sails along the park coast with dolphins, swimming stops and seasonal whales.
Playa Espadilla
Warm, forgiving beach break with local instructors who get beginners and kids standing in one session.
El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour
Long-running canopy zip line half day through rainforest, a family friendly adrenaline add-on to a park morning.
Best hotels in Manuel Antonio
Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
Luxury sustainability resort in its own reserve with direct access to two beaches minutes from the park.
Tulemar Resort
Gated hillside estate of villas with its own secluded beach, pools and sloths moving through the grounds.
Makanda by the Sea Hotel Adults Only
Design led adults only boutique hotel with infinity pool over the ocean and a quiet couples first atmosphere.
GAIA Hotel & Reserve - Adults Only
Small luxury hotel in its own reserve with La Luna restaurant in house and scarlet macaw work on site.
Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge
Classic hill all-rounder with ocean views, separate adult and family pools, butterfly atrium and wildlife refuge.
Shana by the Beach Manuel Antonio
Whitewashed hotel a short stroll from calm Playa Biesanz, trading restaurant density for the best beach on foot.
Hotel Costa Verde
Characterful hill hotel with three cliffside pools and big view balconies that monkeys and toucans pass through.
Hotel Verde Mar
Simple kitchenette hotel with direct beach access, buying unbeatable position and price rather than polish.
Is Manuel Antonio expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | CRC 35,000 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | CRC 85,000 a person |
| Splurge | CRC 220,000 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Manuel Antonio National Park: weeks ahead
- Playa Manuel Antonio: weeks ahead
- Playa Espadilla Sur: weeks ahead
- Punta Catedral: weeks ahead
- Kids Saving The Rainforest: a few days ahead
- Jungle Night Tour: a few days ahead
- Rainforest Chocolate Tour: a few days ahead
- Savegre River: a few days ahead
- Buy park tickets on the official SINAC system or via a reputable operator as soon as dates are fixed, days to weeks ahead in season.
- Book guided park, chocolate and night tours and Savegre rafting a few days ahead in season.
- Reserve top mid-hill hotels and peak season fishing charters months ahead.
Is Manuel Antonio safe?
- Never leave valuables unattended on the beach or visible in a rental car, and use the hotel safe for passports.
- Do not walk alone at night in Quepos centre or on unlit hill road stretches, take taxis after dark.
- Watch rip currents, avoid swimming near river mouths, and use a guide and closed shoes on night trails. Emergency number 911.
Manuel Antonio travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Roadside parking touts near the park in official looking vests selling distant lots and fake ticket bundles.
- Unofficial guides on the park approach road who overcharge and may not be certified.
- Inflated beach chair pricing at the park end of Espadilla, and snorkelling sold as a headline attraction anywhere here.
Getting around Manuel Antonio: public transport and more
- Take the frequent cheap Quepos to Manuel Antonio public bus along the whole hill and pay the driver in colones.
- Use official red taxis and agree the fare first, and ask hotels to call a trusted driver for evenings.
- A rental car helps for Nauyaca, Rainmaker and Dominical, but is not needed for a park and beach trip.
Who Manuel Antonio suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | OK |
Make Manuel Antonio your trip
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