Costa Rica has shown great improvement in keeping the country safe by decreasing incarceration rates, violent demonstrations, and other crimes. However, the Ministry of Public Safety (MPS) has identified Manuel Antonio as among the 36 hot spots where tourists are likely to fall victim to robbery, petty theft, property crimes, and assault. In 2023, there was an alarming hike in these crimes around the area.
1447 crimes against tourists’ property occurred throughout Costa Rica. However, the Costa Rican government introduced a tourist police force to address issues that affect tourists. But in case of any emergency, you can call the toll-free number 911 and request the police, fire brigade, or ambulance, depending on the nature of the emergency.
When visiting Manuel Antonio for the first time, I was concerned about my safety as it was my first solo trip. However, after a few days of interacting with a few locals, I was no longer insecure. Taking the necessary precautions to ensure my safety, I could go to the beach, hike in the forest, visit Manuel Antonio National Park, and walk around town.
Key Takeaways
Manuel Antonio is safe for anyone visiting, especially when you compare it to other tourist areas in Costa Rica. Downtown San Jose, Limón, Jaco, and Tamarindo have higher incidences of crimes targeting visitors. However, a few petty crimes have occurred, such as pickpocketing or scams. Violent crimes rarely target tourists. Here are my key takeaways concerning safety in Manuel Antonio.
- Manuel Antonio is a relatively safe place, but you must take precautions. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry, carrying a lot of money, visiting the beach and the park at night, or generally walking alone.
- The outskirts of Quepos town, especially the stretch that leads to Manuel National Park, are unsafe. Many unruly characters are targeting to steal from people using this stretch due to the high traffic going to the park. You should avoid this stretch late at night or early in the morning, especially if traveling alone.
- Tourists visiting Manuel Antonio might not experience violent crimes, but pretty crimes are common. A few scams target tourists, such as tickets, parking, guided tours, and pricing of items and services.
- Manuel Antonio has a vibrant nightlife with several clubs and disco lounges. You’ll have a great time, but remember not to walk around at night and take a taxi back to your accommodation.
Where is Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica?
Manuel Antonio is on the Pacific Coast. It is popular with tourists for its pristine beaches, diverse wildlife, and lush green forests.
Manuel Antonio is so safe that it is one of the places where you can find gay-friendly resorts and bars. Unlike in many areas, where the LBTQ community is not made to feel welcome, Manuel Antonio’s community goes out of its way to welcome visitors.
It is a 3.5-hour drive from San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio. However, you can take advantage of daily flights from San Jose Airport, which take around 20 minutes. You’ll land at Quepos Regional Airport and take a taxi to Manuel Antonio. Ensure that you take an official taxi, which in Costa Rica is red with a yellow triangle on the side.
Alternatively, you can request shuttle services from where you’ll be staying or reference a trusted taxi. Some buses run daily from San Jose to Quepos. From Quepos, you can take another bus to Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio includes a park, a few beaches, and hills. Before reaching Manuel Antonio, you will reach Quepos town before proceeding to Manuel Antonio. There is an 8 km road uphill. Playa Espadilla is 200 meters away from Manuel Antonio National Park.
Is Manuel Antonio Safe for Tourists?
Manuel Antonio is safer in some areas and a bit dangerous in others. You must be extremely careful when using public transportation, local markets, and crowded places. Areas that tourists love to visit in huge numbers, such as Manuel Antonio National Park, can experience petty crimes. Purse or bag snatching, scams, and pickpocketing are the most common crimes.
Most pickpocketings occur in crowded public places, especially at the beach or park. There have been reports of car break-ins, especially when left unattended or parked in an abandoned area. Leaving valuables in plain sight in the car will most likely attract thieves.
To avoid thieves pickpocketing you, carry your wallets in your inner pockets. Avoid putting your backpack on your back; have it on the front instead. Don’t hang your bag on a restaurant seat; put it on one side of the table.
When you want to stay safe in Costa Rica, I recommend visiting the tourist areas early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. The busiest times are during the dry season, which falls between December and April. However, avoid going to beaches or out at night alone.
Choose your accommodation carefully. Reading online reviews from other travelers will prevent you from staying in unsafe places. Find out if the property owners take safety seriously and implement secure locks, well-lit areas, and security personnel. Alternatively, check out some safe places to stay in Manuel Antonio.
Fortunately, Manuel Antonio is not prone to any natural disasters. However, you should still avoid restricted areas and pay attention to security alerts and warnings.
Which Places Should You Avoid Visiting in Manuel Antonio?
Many places in Manuel Antonio are safe to visit. However, there are still a few risky places. The town nearest to Manuel Antonio is Quepos, which is ten minutes away. While it’s a relatively safe town, you should avoid Quepos’s outskirts. Some travelers have reported theft cases between Quepos town and Manuel Antonio.
However, one safe place you can visit is Bahia Manuel Antonio, inside the national park. Manuel Antonio National Park is a safe place to visit, though you should stick to trails that have other people.
However, that doesn’t mean you can be out all night in the streets of Quepos. Playa Espadilla is outside Manuel National Park, and it is not safe. There are too many vendors, and locals become aggressive when you refuse to buy. While the parking area is free, you might have to pay a “security fee” to avoid thieves vandalizing your car.
Common Scams in Manuel Antonio
Unfortunately, scams are common in Manuel Antonio. Most countries’ websites advise their citizens about scams that can happen in Manuel Antonio. In most places, people might take advantage of your new position in Manuel Antonio.
I highlight some of the most common scams in Manuel Antonio.
- Ticketing scams: Many people will try to sell you park tickets to the national park. However, it’s important to note that you can only buy park tickets online and in advance from the official website. Alternatively, book with a licensed tour company. Some locals have figured out that they can buy the tickets through the official website and try to resell them at a higher price. Even if you buy the ticket, it will be invalid due to the park’s rules.
- Guiding tour scams: You might also find people charging fees to take you around the park as professional guides. Unfortunately, most of them are not. You can book guided tours directly through companies or the official website of Manuel Antonio National Park. Official guides carry a guide ID with an ICT certification.
- Parking scams: Manuel Antonio does not have official parking areas. Some people, however, take advantage of this and charge a rate higher than the one you would pay in town. While some streets in Manuel Antonio offer free parking, I would not advise it due to the increasing cases of car break-ins.
- Pricing scams: When shopping, ask for the prices before buying. Some locals take advantage of foreigners and charge a higher price. The main currency in Costa Rica is colónes, and you should learn the exchange rate, especially when paying in dollars.
- Is Manuel Antonio Safe At Night?
Manuel Antonio has a vibrant nightlife. There are as many activities during the night as during the day. Manuel Antonio is a pretty safe town, even at night. However, I would not recommend walking at night; instead, I would take a taxi.
There is only one major road in Manuel Antonio, and while it might not be dangerous, avoid walking late at night. Bring a flashlight or a headlamp if the place you’re walking to is not far.
Head to the Cuban Republik Disco Lounge in Quepos for some nighttime fun. It is only open three days a week (Thursday through Saturday) from 8 PM to 12 AM. The disco lounge has a VIP section where you can dance to electronic dance music, including reggaeton, bachata, and salsa. There is a ladies’ night on Tuesdays and karaoke on Saturdays.
Another haven for nightlife is Selina Manuel Antonio, which has live DJ music, karaoke, and free salsa dance lessons. There is a lot of dancing and mingling, and it’s a great place to make new friends.
In case of any trouble, you can call 911 for police assistance. I recommend having the number of staff at the place you’re staying and letting them know when you will be back. You can call them if you’re in trouble or if they should start looking for you if you’re not back on time.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Manuel Antonio
While Manuel Antonio is a safe place, it is still essential to take a few precautions. I highlight a few tips to keep you safe in Manuel Antonio so that you can enjoy your vacation.
- Pay attention to your surroundings: Always be aware of what is happening around you, whether walking in town, sunbathing on the beach, or hiking through the forests and national parks. Watch out for suspicious people or activities. If traveling solo, always inform the staff or host of your day’s activities and when you plan to return.
- Stay in a group even when traveling solo: If traveling with family and friends, staying together is the safest way to visit Manuel Antonio. Traveling together in a group makes it more challenging for any criminal to target you. Consider joining group tours or fellow travelers when exploring various places in Manuel Antonio.
- Avoid night excursions: I always recommend you stick to daytime activities while visiting Manuel Antonio. Considering that it’s a new area, getting lost, especially in the darkness, is very possible. However, if you want to partake in nocturnal activities, I encourage you to book guided night tours with knowledgeable guides.
- Keep your valuables safe: It is ideal not to wear flashy jewelry when out and about. Avoid flashing money around, and I encourage you to carry only a small amount for your day’s activities. That is one way that can make you a target. Leave your other valuables at the safety deposit in your hotel or resort.
Now that your safety is guaranteed, If you are vacationing in manuel antonio and aren’t sure about the best hotels in the area, here is my compilation of the 7 Best Hotels in manuel antonio.
Conclusion
Traveling to Manuel Antonio was on my list of places to visit in Costa Rica. However, just like every town, my first thoughts were on how safe the area is. Manuel Antonia has some incredible things to do and see. Since I have given you some safety tips, please don’t be afraid to visit.
When you traveled to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, was there a place you found unsafe? Please share your experience.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
