Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most-visited and most-loved national parks, despite being the smallest in size. Its location along the beach, just outside of Quepos, makes it easy to get to from San Jose, and the thriving jungle ecosystem means there’s a healthy wildlife population. You’ll likely be greeted by monkeys before you even make it into the park! Here’s everything you need to know about how to visit Manual Antonio National Park!
If there was one park in Costa Rica I had to recommend that everyone visit, it would be Manuel Antonio National Park. Lush green jungle, white sand beaches with crystal clear water, mangroves, and easy-to-spot wildlife – what could be better?
If you’re planning a trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, there are a few things to keep in mind and be aware of ahead of time. Here’s everything you need to know about how to visit Manuel Antonio National Park.
Where is the Manuel Antonio National Park?
The park is located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in the province of Puntarenas. Manuel Antonio National Park is 82 miles (132 km) south of San José, the capital city of Costa Rica. The closest city is Quepos, which is 4.7 miles (7.6 km) north of the park.
How to Get To the Manuel Antonio National Park
There are various ways to get to the park, depending on where you’re coming from. You can travel to Manuel Antonio National Park by public transport, on a tour, and by car. If you choose to visit by means of car, you can either rent a car or hire a taxi.
By Car
If you plan to rent a car and drive to Manuel Antonio National Park make sure you have a 4X4. The 103 mile (165 km) drive takes approximately three hours from San José. Take Route 27 towards the Pacific coast then Route 34 south to the park. Be aware that there are three tolls between San José and the park. You’ll first arrive at the town of Quepos and then drive up the mountain and back down to reach Manuel Antonio and the park.
On a Tour
Most tours you book all offer pick up and drop off from either a prearranged point or your hotel to the park. Tours like this one pick up in Jaco as well as Manuel Antonio, which is a great option if you are based in Jaco and just want to make a day trip to Manuel Antonio.
By Public Transport
If you’re traveling from San José by public transportation you can catch the public bus, Tracopa in Plaza Víquez. There is a direct bus at both 6 am and 9 am which costs $4 to $8 and is roughly 4 hours long. Ask to be dropped off at the Marlín Restaurant. From there, you’ll see signs directing you to the park entrance, which is a ten-minute walk.
For those coming from Jaco, there is a public bus to Quepos at 7 am and 9 am. From Quepos to Manuel Antonio buses run every 20 to 30 minutes, with a cost of $0.65. However, you’ll still have to walk the remaining ten minutes to the park from the drop-off point at the restaurant.
(Note that these times and prices are accurate at the time of publishing but you should always check bus schedules ahead of time!)
Read More: Incredible Animals You Can Find in Costa Rica
Is There Parking at the Manuel Antonio National Park? (location + cost)
There is no parking area at the park. However, you can find two private parking lots close to the park entrance. You’ll know you’re at the right spot as there are restaurants and signs around. The parking fee is between 4000 and 5000 colones for the day. From there, you’ll need to just walk a few minutes to the park entrance.
Hours & Entrance Fee
Tickets for Manuel Antonio National park are $18.08 USD and ₡1.808 colones for Costa Rican nationals and residents. For families visiting with children, kids under the age of two get free admission.
The park is open every day, including holidays, during the hours of 7am to 4pm, but closed on Tuesdays.
Note that as you approach the entrance of the park, especially if you’re walking from the parking lot, you’ll likely run into some white-faced monkeys. They are not afraid of humans and often come a bit close. Do NOT touch them and do NOT feed them. The little monkeys can be quite aggressive and will often try to grab any food you have on you (one reason food is not allowed in the park!) as they’re so used to humans feeding them. It’s best to just snap a few quick pictures and keep walking. You’ll likely see more inside the park!
Where To Buy Manuel Antonio National Park Tickets
For those visiting the park on their own, and not with a tour group with prearranged tickets included in your package, you’ll have to purchase entrance tickets online in advance. You can get tickets through the official government website SINAC here.
There are designated time slots to choose from for entering the park. Time slots are between 7 am and 11 am. This is to prevent the park from getting too crowded, too quickly and everyone being gathered around the same spot at the same time. We arrived a bit late for our time slot and no one said anything, but I would try to honor the reserved time as much as possible.
The reservation process is simple and easy to use. After you create an account, you select the park, then the time slot, add how many visitors, and then complete your payment.
What Time Should I Arrive?
The best time to visit Manuel Antonio National Park is first thing in the morning. Or at least the earliest possible.
With heat and humidity, you’ll want to enjoy the hiking trails before the temperatures are too hot. Then you can relax on the beach for the rest of the day. Plus, there’s plenty to do and see in the park, so the earlier you go, the more you can pack into your visit.
Plus, as the most popular national park in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio can be CROWDED later in the afternoon. I recommend getting there early, walking through the park with a guide, grabbing a snack, and heading to the beach.
Another plus to visiting the park earlier in the day is that this is when many of the animals are most active.
Do I Need A Guide at Manuel Antonio?
If you want to see animals, it’s highly recommended that you book a guide. A tour guide will help you spot a wealth of wildlife that you may not notice otherwise. Guides will know where to look and be able to tell you what the animal is.
The last time I visited Manuel Antonio, a guide was able to find a mama sloth with her baby. We ended up watching them for at least 20 minutes, something we never could’ve done on our own.
You can find guides outside the park and negotiate a price (usually $20 per person for a group tour) or book one in advance. There are also tours available that pick you up from your hotel and take you directly to the park. Many guided tours take approximately two hours.
If you just want to go to the beach, a tour is not necessary.
Read More: 11 Places to Find Sloths in Costa Rica
What Animals Will I See?
Manuel Antonio National Park is known for the incredible wildlife within its boundaries. There are over 100 mammal species and over 150 species of birds, plus reptiles!
The animals you’re most likely to see inside Manuel Antonio National Park include various species of monkeys – like howler, spider, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys -, sloths, and coatis. You can also find anteaters, deer, and many others depending on the time of day. A few lucky people have even spotted ocelots!
There are so many awesome birds in the park ranging from small hummingbirds to large toucans. A couple of colorful birds to watch out for are the fiery-billed aracari and chestnut mandibled toucan.
Other species to look for are reptiles and amphibians like the Jesus Christ lizards and red-eyed leaf frogs. There are also poisonous snakes like the eyelash viper and the fer-de-lance. Be sure to keep an eye on the path to avoid any accidents – especially if you’re not traveling with a guide! (We saw a fer-de-lance on our last visit!)
What Should I Take With Me?
When deciding what to bring to Manuel Antonio National Park there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the big wins is that Costa Rica is known for their drinkable tap water. So, a great reusable water bottle is a must addition to your packing list. You’ll even find refilling stations throughout the park. (When we confirmed with our guide that the water stations were safe to drink, he laughed in said, “if they weren’t, the park would’ve been sued by now!”)
Other things to add to your daypack include reef-friendly sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and a swimsuit. You’ll also want a comfortable pair of walking shoes. Unless you’re doing some of the more challenging hikes, good sandals are fine. Just watch the path for snakes and spiders!
More important, perhaps, is what you can NOT bring into the park – including food! No outside food is allowed into the park, to prevent attracting animals to the humans who feed them and litter. There is a restaurant in the park, which has some surprisingly decent pizza and sandwiches, but you must eat at the restaurant. (The restaurant is also a good places to spot white-faced monkeys who like to snatch food from the table when you turn your back!)
Alcohol, drones, pets, and single-use plastic are also banned from the park.
Read More: 16 Best National Parks in Costa (+ Free Checklist!)
Manuel Antonio Park Beaches
One of the top things to do in the park is to visit its beaches. There are several beaches within Manuel Antonio National Park.
Playa Manuel Antonio is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. It was even voted one of the top 25 beaches in the world! To reach the beach it’s an approximately thirty-minute walk from the entrance. Manuel Antonio Beach is popular for swimming and snorkeling as it’s super calm. Plus, it offers incredible views of the water, wildlife, and rainforest.
Playa Espadilla Sur is just a bit further along the main trail from Playa Manuel Antonio. This beach is home to stunning white sands but the currents can be strong and dangerous. Facilities at the beach include bathrooms, drinking water, and showers.
Playa Las Gemelas is a small, secluded beach that’s a hidden gem in the park. Located further in the park, Playa Las Gemelas is not ideal for swimming as it’s quite rocky. However, it’s great to hike to and enjoy a stretch of beach all to yourself.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park Accessible?
While the main trails are relatively flat and suitable for most people, there is also a specific accessible trail in Manuel Antonio National Park. The accessible trail runs from the main entrance and goes down to Playa Espadilla Sur. This universal trail is for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park Worth It?
Our answer to this is a resounding yes. While Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, it’s popular for a reason. There are few other locations where you can find stunning white sand beaches, jungle, and mangroves all in one small area. Not to mention the variety of wildlife that comes with those eco-systems!
Plus, Manuel Antonio is easy to get to from many other destinations within the country so stopping here typically doesn’t require too much of a detour on your travels. It’s often just a natural stop and one that’s well worth it!
