Manuel Antonio Vs Guanacaste

Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste are top tourist destinations in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio is a town in the Puntarenas Province that houses the popular Manuel Antonio National Park, which is a tranquil tourist spot with spectacular views, lush tropical rainforest, and abundant wildlife.

Guanacaste, on the other hand, is the gateway to most of the popular tourist destinations in the country (like Tamarindo) and has a lively vibe with lots of pristine beaches that are perfect for surfing and swimming on hot, sunny days.

It is normal to get confused about which tourist destination to visit first between Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste and which offers the best tourist experience for visitors.

You see, before deciding to visit both tourist towns, I was in this confused state of which to visit first or not, and so I chose to visit Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste to see what they have to offer.

The information I gathered from my trip is what I’ll be sharing with you in this article, in the hopes that it helps you make an informed decision when planning your trip too.

Key Takeaways

• Manuel Antonio is a popular tourist town that is situated three hours drive from the country’s capital city, San Jose.
• Guanacaste is a province in northwestern Costa Rica and serves as a passage to most of the popular tourist destinations in the country.
• Manuel Antonio is home to the famous Manuel Antonio National Park.
• You will find the Playa Conchal beach with sparkling white shells instead of sand in Guanacaste. 
• Both Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste are safe for tourist visits.

How to Get There

MANUEL ANTONIO

Manuel Antonio National Park is located south of Quepos City in the Puntarenas Province of Costa Rica.

To get to Manuel Antonio National Park, you need to arrive at San Jose International Airport and drive three hours from the airport to Manuel Antonio National Park.

GUANACASTE

Guanacaste is a province situated in the northwestern part of Costa Rica, with Liberia being its capital.

Guanacaste is the gateway to most of the tourist attractions in the country, and a few minutes’ drive from the Liberia International Airport on a well-paved road gets you there.

Best Time to Visit

The climate of Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste is tropical, which means they both have two distinct seasons: the dry and rainy seasons.

The dry season, which is also considered the peak tourist season, starts from December through April, ushering in a lot of tourists into these tourist destinations, especially in Guanacaste because the weather is drier and hot, and a lot of tourists visit the beaches around to relax, surf, and swim.

The rainy season, also called the low tourist season, starts from May through November and reduces the crowds in both tourist destinations. However, if you are a nature lover or wildlife enthusiast, this is the time to visit Manuel Antonio because the rainforest becomes Lutheran and the wildlife tends to dominate more in the National Park.

The best time to visit either town depends on your personal preference. 

Beaches

MANUEL ANTONIO

Playa Espadilla Sur is a white-sand beach surrounded by tropical rainforest and turquoise-blue water. The extremely calm waves make it a perfect spot for swimming and having fun with friends and family.

Playa Manuel Antonio is a popular white-sand beach with turquoise water and gentle waves that is perfect for swimming.

Playa Gemelas is a rocky, white-sand beach with murky waters. It is perfect for swimming and snorkeling after a full day’s hike. The upside of this beach is that it is secluded, so you can have it all to yourself.

Playa Espadilla Norte is a beach that has so many water activities to participate in, and the gentle waves make it an excellent choice for beginner surfers. The most spectacular thing about this beach is the sunset!

Playa Biesanz is a rocky, gray-sand beach. The waters can be excellent for swimming and Kayaking. The good thing about this beach is the fewer crowds and basic amenities.

GUANACASTE

Conchal Beach: This is a gorgeous beach that is situated 1 hour and 25 minutes from Liberia International Airport. It is famous because you will find sparkling white shells on the shoreline instead of sand. However, lately, the shells have decreased because tourists have begun taking them home as souvenirs.

Another striking feature of this beach is its crystal turquoise watercolor, which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. However, be careful, especially with kids, because the waves at this beach are a bit strong.

Playa Tamarindo: This beach is located in the most popular beach town in Guanacaste province. The beach is beautiful and has one of the best sunset views in the country. 

It also serves as a surfing spot, as you will find a lot of surf schools and surfers on this beach. However, the waves are best suited for beginner surfers.

Playa Samara: This is one of the family-friendly beaches in Guanacaste, with a beautiful coastal line and spectacular sunset views. While on this beach, you will see horses running around and playing in the water, which is beautiful to watch.

And a lot of beginner surfers are learning how to surf. It is one of the most serene beaches to visit in Costa Rica. A two-hour drive from Liberia International Airport will get you there.

Flamingo Beach: This is a stunning white sand beach not far from the Conchal. It has a serene atmosphere that is perfect for families with kids, and the subset is magical.

Playa Ostional: This is an incredible beach famous for the large number of turtles that come to the shoreline to nestle. It is a beautiful sight to behold. Aside from that, the sunset here is breathtaking. A two-hour and thirty-minute drive from Liberia International Airport will get you here.

These beaches and so many other pristine beaches that are too numerous to mention, are what you will find in Guanacaste.

Friendly Advice: When visiting these beaches, do not forget to come along with your swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat.

Ensure to also safeguard your valuables, like phones, when on these beaches to avoid falling victim to petty theft.

Nightlife

Manuel Antonio is a sleepy town once night falls. It is quiet, with no sign of a nightclub in sight. The only places you can hang out at night are in the local restaurants and bars, which also pack up by 10 p.m. 

However, if you want a place where you can let your hair down and dance throughout the night, then you will need to go to Quepos, which is the nearest bubbling town with a lot of nightlife spots and a twenty-minute drive from Manuel Antonio.

Guanacaste, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of Manuel Antonio because it is the gateway to the liveliest tourist towns in Costa Rica. 

Even past midnight, you will still find Guanacaste busy with lots of nightlife spots to visit for a drink or dance.

Regardless of the contrasting nightlife of both towns, I advise you not to walk alone at night, especially in isolated and poorly lit areas. Ensure you avoid such areas and always book a ride to your accommodation, no matter how short the distance is.

Cost 

The cost of visiting and living in Manuel Antonio does not vary much from that of Guanacaste because they are both tourist destinations in Costa Rica.

The amount I spent on things like food, accommodation, and transportation in both towns was just about a $10 price difference for either town.

For instance, I ate at a local restaurant in Guanacaste for $35, and when I visited Manuel Antonio, I ate at a similar restaurant, had the same meal, and was expecting to see an outrageous amount on the menu; instead, it ended up being a slight price difference of $5.

The same applies to other things like transportation and accommodation. However, I noticed the difference between both towns in terms of the shopping experience. 

Guanacaste has a better shopping experience because of the array of businesses around, unlike in Manuel Antonio, where you have to drive to the nearest town, Quepos, before you can get a better shopping experience.

Safety

When it comes to safety, I consider both towns to be safe for tourist visits because, throughout my visit, I did not experience or witness any violent crimes or all the negative things we see and read online about Costa Rica.

The weather was perfect, and likewise the food and water. There was no time I fell sick from eating the local food, drinking water, or inhaling the air. I was never bitten by mosquitoes either.

However, here is what I would advise: avoid walking alone in isolated and poorly lit areas of both Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste at night for your safety.

If you must move at night, it’s best that you move in groups, or better yet, take a taxi to your destination regardless of how short the distance is.

If you do all of these, you will be just fine in either town.

Accommodation

MANUEL ANTONIO

Shana Hotel is a 10-minute walk from Manuel Antonio National Park Beach and offers an outdoor pool with a sun terrace, a luxurious spa with a hot tub, free Wi-Fi, a minibar, a furnished balcony with ocean and garden views, breakfast, and free private parking. A room starts from $193 per night.

Gaia Hotel and Reserve: This luxury hotel is surrounded by mesmerizing rainforests and wildlife. It offers a luxury spa, exclusive access to a three-level infinity pool, an airport shuttle, sauna, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, a day tour, breakfast, an outdoor pool, and varying types of luxury rooms starting from $217 per night.

Hotel Plaza Yara is a five-minute drive from Manuel Antonio National Park and offers spacious suites with kitchenettes and jungle views, an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast. A room starts from $140 per night.

GUANACASTE

Westin Playa Conchal Resort: This boutique resort is located near Tamarindo town and is surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, stunning white beaches, and an 18-hole golf course.

There are ten restaurants in this resort; seven are dining restaurants, while the rest are casual restaurants. You will also find a casino and 406 large guest rooms that are tastefully furnished with luxurious fittings and air conditioning.

You will also find a minibar, a mini fridge in the rooms, and a private terrace to have a view of the ocean.

El Mangroove Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel just twenty minutes drive from Liberia International Airport. It offers spacious rooms, a fitness center, outdoor yoga decks, an outdoor pool, a spa, exotic restaurants, and free wifi. 

Rio Perdido Hotel: This hotel is situated about one drive from Liberia International Airport. It has three thermal pools that are hot, warm, and cold, respectively. It also offers a restaurant, two bars, 20 elevated treehouse-style bungalows, wifi, air conditioning, and a floating balcony terrace.

Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel: The Jardin Hotel is an exclusive hotel with 46 large rooms, a king bed, air conditioning, a mini fridge, bathrobes, a jacuzzi, and a private balcony with views of lush gardens. This hotel is located in Tamarindo town.

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel: This is a five-star hotel with clean luxurious rooms, a spa, yoga, and a fitness center. They also have large dining areas, spacious private parking lots, minibars, restaurants, and an outdoor pool. The rooms offer a  beachfront view from the balcony.

Fun Activities to Do

MANUEL ANTONIO

Manuel Antonio National Park: Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park should be one of the top things to do in Manuel Antonio to experience its natural beauty. 

The entrance fee to the park will cost you $25, and you will be granted access to hike in the rainforest and swim in most of the beaches in the park.

Parasailing: Is another fun thing to do on the Espadilla Norte beach outside the National Park. This activity will give you a rare view of the National Park from the sky and last up to 15 minutes. 

Ziplining: If you are looking for an adventurous activity, I would suggest ziplining. It is adrenaline-pumping and keeps you excited while you get an elevated view of the National Park’s rainforest canopy and surroundings.

Fishing: Going fishing may seem like a fun activity; however, the ten-minute drive from Manuel Antonio to the marina in Quepos will give you another definition of fun.

You will love it as you join other tourists and professional fishermen to catch some tuna.

GUANACASTE

Surfing: Guanacaste is blessed with some of the best surf spots in the country. You can visit any of the surf towns like Tamarindo, Samara, Nosara, and so on to practice surfing as a beginner or ride the waves as an advanced surfer.

Visit Beaches: Visiting any of the many beautiful beaches in Guanacaste is one of the best things to do for fun here. You can relax at beaches like Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, or Playa Tamarindo while sipping some orange juice.

Note that these beaches are freely accessed, but most of them are hours apart.

Fishing: Whether you are a fishing lover or not, you will definitely have a blast fishing in Guanacaste because most of the popular beach towns in this province were originally small fishing villages.

In fact, most of the locals in these areas still make their living from fishing until today. You can book an inshore or offshore fishing trip in Guanacaste to catch some tuna, snappers, and wahoo.

Visit National Parks: Guanacaste is home to many popular national parks in the country. One of the fun things to do here is to visit some of the national parks, like: 

The Tenorio Volcano National Park, where you find the popular Rio Celeste waterfalls, and Palo Verde National Park are  where you see exotic birds, crocodiles, and other wildlife.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is where you can see the volcanic mud pots, waterfalls, and rivers; Camaronal National Wildlife Refuge is where you can see lots of turtles; and the Llanos de Cortes waterfalls are where you get to see the over 90-meter waterfall.

Boat Cruise: Going on a boat cruise is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful coastline of Guanacaste. There are many private tours on most of the beaches in Guanacaste that can take you on this cruise.

If you’re considering other options for a place to visit in Costa Rica, you should also check out our guide on Tamarindo vs. Jaco to help you decide. 

Final Verdict 

Manuel Antonio and Guanacaste are both tourist destinations in Costa Rica with their individual characteristic features that make them unique.

If you are looking to visit a serene tourist spot that is family-friendly, then I’d advise you to visit Manuel Antonio. However, if you are looking to have fun, then Guanacaste is your best bet.

Regardless, both tourist towns are great and should be visited if you can afford to.