Imagine dense tropical rainforest tumbling down to meet pristine white-sand beaches. Monkeys swinging through the canopy above you. Sloths hanging lazily from branches. Crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling. This isn’t a dream—it’s Manuel Antonio National Park, and it’s waiting for you.
Named one of the world’s 12 most beautiful national parks by Forbes, Manuel Antonio combines everything that makes Costa Rica spectacular: incredible biodiversity, stunning beaches, and accessibility that lets families experience it all comfortably.
For over 20 years, Planet Dolphin has sailed the coastline bordering Manuel Antonio National Park. We watch dolphins play in these protected waters, guide snorkelers through pristine reefs, and share the magic of seeing this park from perspectives most visitors never experience—from the ocean.
This guide shares everything you need to know about Manuel Antonio National Park, from the wildlife you’ll encounter to how our catamaran tours let you experience the park’s coastal beauty in ways hiking trails can’t match.
Despite being one of the smallest Costa Rican parks in land area at just 1,983 hectares, Manuel Antonio is the most popular of Costa Rica’s 30 national parks, visited by over 4.3 million people from 2012 to 2022.
What makes it so popular?
1. Incredible Wildlife Density
Although the land area is small, the diversity of wildlife totals 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds. You’ll see more wildlife here in three hours than many people see in entire weeks elsewhere.
2. Perfect Beach-Rainforest Combination
Manuel Antonio is one of very few places where you can hike through dense rainforest in the morning, then swim at a pristine beach by afternoon—all within the same park.
3. Accessibility
Located just south of Quepos, 157 kilometers from San José, Manuel Antonio offers world-class nature without extreme difficulty or remote access. Families with young children can experience it comfortably.
4. Four Species You Won’t See Together Anywhere Else
The combination of three monkey species, sloths, and coastal marine life in one compact area is genuinely unique to Manuel Antonio.
Three-Toed Sloths
Both brown-throated three-toed sloth and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth are a major feature of the park. Sloths move so slowly they appear frozen. Look up—they’re usually hanging in trees, sometimes with babies clinging to their chests.
Best spotting locations: Cathedral Trail, Perezoso Trail
Best time: Early morning (7-9 AM) when they’re most active (relatively speaking)
Three Monkey Species
Three of Costa Rica’s four monkey species live here: the mantled howler monkey, Central American squirrel monkey, and Panamanian white-faced capuchin monkey.
Best spotting locations: Main park trails, near beaches
Important: Never feed monkeys. This creates dangerous dependencies and human-wildlife conflict.
Iguanas: Green iguanas and black spiny-tailed iguanas are everywhere—on trails, beaches, sunbathing on rocks.
Basilisk Lizards: The “Jesus Christ lizard” that runs across water. Commonly seen near streams.
Coatis: Long-nosed raccoon relatives that travel in groups. Curious and entertaining.
Agoutis: Large rodents that look like oversized guinea pigs. Often seen on trails.
The park hosts 184 bird species including toucans, woodpeckers, potoos, motmots, tanagers, turkey vultures, parakeets and hawks.
Most Sought-After:
Birding Tip: Hire a guide with a spotting scope. Birds are everywhere but spotting them without trained eyes is challenging.
Playa Espadilla Sur
The first beach you reach after entering the park. Wide, beautiful, relatively calm water. Perfect for swimming and relaxing after hiking.
Features:
Playa Manuel Antonio
A southern-facing beach that unfolds as a picturesque half-mile stretch of white sandy crescent, carving through lush greenery on one side and leading to a secluded, tranquil cove on the other.
Features:
Playa Puerto Escondido
The most secluded beach in the park. Requires longer hike but rewards with fewer crowds and pristine conditions.
Features:
Unlike typical Costa Rican beaches, Manuel Antonio’s beaches are inside a protected national park. This means:
Current Entrance Fee: $18 USD per adult (plus tax)
Children: Reduced rates
Costa Rican Nationals: Different pricing
IMPORTANT: As of May 4, 2021, SINAC assumes the exclusive sale of tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park. Tickets must be purchased ONLINE in advance.
How to Buy Tickets:
Daily Visitor Limit: The Costa Rican government has mandated a limit of around 1,200 visitors per day to curb visitor influence on the park’s ecological balance.
Cathedral Trail (Sendero Principal)
Distance: 1.4 km (0.9 miles)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30-45 minutes one way
Highlights: Primary rainforest, wildlife viewing, leads to beaches
This paved trail is the park’s main artery. Connects entrance to all three beaches. Excellent for first-time visitors and families.
Perezoso Trail (Universal Access Trail)
Distance: Similar to Cathedral Trail
Difficulty: Very Easy (wheelchair accessible)
Time: 45-60 minutes
Highlights: Platform trail, excellent signage, deeper rainforest
This universal access trail runs parallel to Cathedral Trail, built on platforms with signage every 50 meters. It goes deeper into the rainforest and connects to a platform leading to Playa Espadilla Sur Beach through mangroves.
Perfect for: Families with strollers, wheelchair users, those wanting easier hiking with excellent wildlife viewing.
Punta Catedral Trail
Distance: 1 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate (steep sections)
Time: 45-60 minutes
Highlights: Panoramic ocean views, Cathedral Point, challenging but rewarding
Note: Punta Catedral trail is temporarily closed. Check current status before planning.
This trail climbs to elevated viewpoints offering stunning coastal vistas. More challenging but worth the effort for views.
Mangrove Trail
Distance: 0.5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 20-30 minutes
Highlights: Mangrove ecosystem, different habitat, educational
Shorter trail showcasing mangrove environments. Different ecosystem than rainforest—fascinating for understanding coastal biodiversity.
Open: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed: Every Tuesday
Holiday Schedule: Open on Christmas, New Year’s, Easter (unless falling on Tuesday)
From San José:
Approximately 3 hours drive (170 km / 105 miles) on well-paved highway.
From Quepos:
7-10 minutes by car or bus
Transportation Options:
Parking: No official parking, but private lots available near entrance for ₡4,000-5,000 ($8-10 USD) per day.
Warning: Beware of scammers trying to sell overpriced parking and tours near the park entrance.
Essentials:
Recommended:
Not Allowed:
What’s Included:
Tour Schedule:
Why Choose Our Tour:
Perfect Combination: Many visitors hike Manuel Antonio National Park in the morning, then join our afternoon catamaran tour to experience the coastal perspective. This combination gives you the complete Manuel Antonio experience—rainforest AND ocean.
Hiking the park is incredible. But there’s another way to experience Manuel Antonio’s beauty—from the ocean.
What You See from the Water:
The Coastline Most Never Experience The dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and jungle-to-ocean transition that define Manuel Antonio National Park’s character are best appreciated from offshore. You’ll understand why Forbes named this one of the world’s most beautiful parks.
Marine Wildlife in Protected Waters
Dolphins can be observed in these waters, as well as occasional migrating whales. The same protected ecosystem that makes the land incredible extends into the ocean.
Our catamaran tours regularly encounter:
Islands and Rock Formations
The park protects 12 islands that represent excellent shelter for several species of marine birds. These islands are visible only from the water and create stunning photographic compositions.
Snorkeling in Protected Reefs
Scuba diving and snorkeling provide opportunities to experience the tropical wildlife that enriches Manuel Antonio. We anchor in protected coves where vibrant fish, coral formations, and marine life thrive.
A Different Perspective
After hiking through the rainforest, seeing that same jungle from the ocean provides perspective on the ecosystem’s scale and beauty. The transition from mountains to ocean is dramatic and best appreciated from water level.
Sustainable Tourism Providers in Manuel Antonio and Flamingo, Costa Rica
