Yes, I found Manuel Antonio to be worth it. Manuel Antonio is one of the most diverse towns in Costa Rica. The area has 184+ bird species, three out of the four monkey species, and two types of sloths. Manuel Antonio town is also home to one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park.
But that is not all; it is also home to some of the most beautiful and serene beaches in Costa Rica.
Key Takeaways
Manuel Antonio is in Puntarenas province, 170 km from San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica.
- There are several ways you can reach Manuel Antonio. Take a flight from San Jose or Liberia Airport to La Managua Airport, in Quepos town. Manuel Antonio town is a 10-minute drive from Quepos town. Alternatively, you can drive from San Jose, which will take 3 hours to take a bus. A shared shuttle is another alternative.
- Manuel Antonio has some pretty exciting activities such as visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, hiking, parasailing, beach hopping, and taking morning and sunset catamaran tours.
- There are two different seasons in Manuel Antonio, dry season ( December- April), and wet season ( May-November). Fortunately, even during the wet season, you will have some pretty exciting activities, such as whitewater rafting.
- Manuel Antonio has various kinds of accommodation options. There are resorts, hotels, airbnbs and hostels.
Is Manuel Antonio Worth Visiting?
While Manuel Antonio is a small town, it still has a lot to offer. Manuel Antonio has attracted visitors for its natural beauty. The Quepos tribe settled in Manuel Antonio as early as 900 AD. The British pirates heard about the abundance of gold and decided to plunge out. There are rumors that there is a lot of lost buried treasure within Manuel Antonio National Park.
Manuel Antonio National Park
My first visit was to Manuel Antonio National Park, I didn’t find any gold though! But I was able to see a lot of wildlife. I would highly recommend you set aside at least a full day for this. Here are a few of my tips on visiting Manuel Antonio National Park.
- The park operates from 7.00 AM to 4 PM, daily except on Tuesdays. If you are not going to the park through a tour company, please book your tickets in advance online.
- The park’s entrance fees for adults are ($18), and kids ($6- ages 2-11). Please don’t bring food into the park but you can bring water bottles. There are plenty of water-filling stations throughout the park.
- I highly recommend a tour guide if your major interest is to see wildlife. However, if all you want is to visit the beaches inside the national park, a guide is not necessary.
A few of the most interesting animals you’ll see at the park include howler monkeys, coatis, boa constrictors, hoffmann’s two-toed sloths, and spider monkeys.
Hiking Trails
If you are a health enthusiast, you’ll love hiking in Manuel Antonio. There are plenty of hiking trails in Manuel Antonio National Park. The most popular hiking trails inside the park include.
- Sendero Principal (Main Trail): The trail takes you from the entrance to the beach. You will see a lot of wildlife, including monkeys, lizards, and toucans.
- The Sendero Perezoso (sloth week): Runs parallel to the main trail. It’s a boardwalk and is suitable for people in wheelchairs or strollers. The trail has ancient trees where sloths inhabit.
- Sendero Playa Manuel Antonio: Leads to the beach.
- Sendero Playa Espadilla Sur: Begins at the end of Playa Manuel Antonio.
Sendero Punta Catedral is along the coast and is the best place to spot whales and dolphins. Sendero Mirador becomes the lookout point of the forests.
Parasailing
One of the best places for parasailing is Playa Espadilla Norte. It is free and has clear waters and a stunning jungle and cliffs. You will be harnessed to a parachute, and a motorized boat will lift you into the air. Take in the beautiful views of the surrounding landscape of Manuel Antonio.
Several companies are offering parasailing services in Manuel Antonio. You can either parasail alone, as a couple, or with two other people.
Catamaran Tours
There are two types of catamaran tours in Manuel Antonio. The morning catamaran tour begins at 8.30 AM and ends at 1.30 PM. Most companies offering catamaran tours will have a free shuttle to pick you up from your accommodation at Manuel Antonio or Quepos. You’ll have great views of the coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park.
Another popular catamaran tour is the sunset tour, which is from 2-6 PM. Some of the activities on the catamaran tours include snorkeling, onboard water slides, fishing, and jet skiing. The catamaran tours often include lunch/dinner, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, fruits, and a limited number of drinks at the bar.
You can either book a catamaran tour for a large group or a small group. Catamaran tours are great for family adventures and people looking for a party environment, private, and luxury tours. If the group is small enough, you can even arrange for an overnight catamaran tour.
Beach Hopping
Manuel Antonio has plenty of beaches, and you can first visit the ones inside the park. Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla Sur, and Playa Gemelas are inside the park and you have to first pay the park’s entrance fee to access them. However, the park does not open on Tuesday.
The public beaches are Playa Espadilla Norte, Playa Biesanz, Playa Playitas, and Playa La Macha. Here are a few key points about the various beaches.
| Activity | Features |
| Playa Manuel Antonio | Inside Manuel Antonio National Park. |
| It has clear waters and soft sands and is the best beach for swimming in Manuel Antonio. | |
| Also known as Playa Blanca or Playa Tres. | |
| Playa Espadilla Sur | It starts from the edge of the park to Mirador Point and is inside the park. |
| Espadilla Sur beach has a jungle with howler monkeys. | |
| Also known as Playa Dos and Playa Segunda. | |
| Playa Espadilla Norte | It’s in Quepos and is outside the park and free. |
| Also known as Playa Numero Uno or Playa Primera. | |
| It has stunning sunsets and smooth, light grey sands. | |
| Playa Gemelas | Small and has plenty of rock formations. |
| Leave before the tides rise, as you might get cut off. | |
| Playa Biesanz | It’s between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. |
| You will see three different monkey species (squirrel, capuchin, and howler) and sloths. | |
| The beach has soft sand and is secluded. | |
| Playa La Macha | A bit hard to reach with a steep 1.5 km trail. |
| Brimming with wildlife such as sloths and monkeys. | |
| Nude sunbathing is common, and I would not recommend visiting the beach with kids. |
How Long Should You Spend in Manuel Antonio?
It is one of the most popular tourist spots in Manuel Antonio. To fully explore the town, you should dedicate at least three days. You need a few days to explore Manuel Antonio’s stunning beaches, diverse wildlife, and lush rainforests.
You can come up with a schedule to visit the various places in Manuel Antonio.
Getting To And Around Manuel Antonio
I didn’t see the need to rent a car in Manuel Antonio. From San Jose International Airport, it would take three hours of non-stop driving to reach Manuel Antonio. Instead, I decided to take a domestic flight (20 minutes) from San Jose to Quepos La Managua Airport, which is 7km from Manuel Antonio.
Fortunately, most tourist attractions are within Manuel Antonio town. Plus, the taxis and buses were readily available. The roads in Manuel Antonio are narrow, steep, and full of turns- not a lot of fun to drive around. However, if taking a taxi, only use the official, red with a yellow triangle on the side.
The Best Time To Visit Manuel Antonio
There are two different weather seasons in Costa Rica. The dry season falls between December and April. It’s the busiest time of the year in Manuel Antonio. You’ll have to book accommodation and the park in advance. Expect to meet a lot of people in most tourist attractions.
Hiking, snorkeling, and most beach activities are doable during the dry season. The trails are drier, and the waters are also calmer for swimming and surfing.
The wet season in Manuel Antonio begins in May and ends in November. Rains are heavier in September and October. Despite hampering some activities, rains make the flora and fauna come alive in the national park. Hence, it will be easier to spot most wild animals. Most of the places have fewer people, and you can do a lot of activities.
However, it is the best time for whale watching, surfing, and whitewater rafting.
Now that you have confirmed that Manuel Antonio is indeed worth visiting, if you’re looking to visit anytime soon, you can check out our picks for the 10 Best Restaurants in Manuel Antonio for fine dining options.
Conclusion
I had a great time in Manuel Antonio, and I would recommend that you do too. The small town has a lot of activities that you can do and various tourist attractions to see. Whether visiting solo, as a couple, or as a family, you will have great fun.
Did you find Manuel Antonio worth a visit? 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!
