Manuel Antonio is a small Costa Rican town a few hours from San Jose. Of course, most people know only about Manuel Antonio National Park rather than the town. Manuel Antonio is on the west coast of Costa Rica and has several beaches. However, Manuel Antonio is a small town with a famous national park.
My first visit to Manuel Antonio was mainly due to the world-famous national park. But after visiting Manuel Antonio town, I wanted to know if there were other tourist attractions. Though it’s a small town, Manuel Antonio has many activities to see and do.
Key Takeaways
Manuel Antonio is a widely-spread village that caters mainly to tourists visiting Manuel Antonio National Park. However, the town has several beaches apart from the park. The town also has restaurants and accommodation options if you want to stay and explore Manuel Antonio. Here are my key takeaways on 10 things to do in Manuel Antonio.
- Coming from San Jose, you will first reach Quepos town, the area’s hub. Quepos town has a port and a bus station. It is larger and has more commercial activities than Manuel Antonio town.
- Manuel Antonio National Park is a 10-minute drive from Quepos town. However, wildlife spotting is not restricted to the park. There are other places in Manuel Antonio where you can spot wildlife.
- There are several beaches in Manuel Antonio: Playa Biesanz, Playa Playitas, Playa Espadilla Norte, Playa Espadilla Sur, Playa La Macha, and Playa Gemelas.
- Manuel Antonio has a vibrant nightlife and plenty of places to have nighttime fun. The Cuban Republik disco lounge and Jolly Roger bar are the most vibrant places to have the night’s fun.
Free Things to Do in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio mainly consists of Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, and Route 618. Most of your exploration will take place in these four places. Manuel Antonio town has no central area but one main road, Route 618, from Quepos town to the park’s entrance.
Beach Hopping
What I love about Costa Rica is that most beaches are public. The same goes for Manuel Antonio. Hence, visiting the beach is free. Manuel Antonio has several public beaches. However, the ones inside Manuel Antonio National Park are not free, as you have to pay an entrance fee.
You can access the following beaches in Manuel Antonio for free:.
| Public Beaches in Manuel Antonio | |
| Playa Espadilla Norte | largest public beach in Manuel Antonio |
| Some free activities at the beach include swimming, parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, sunbathing, wildlife spotting, hiking, and watching the sunset. It is ideal for beginner surfers. | |
| Amenities include toilets, restaurants, lounge and umbrella rentals, and food and drink vendors. | |
| Playa La Macha | You can gain access through the Bongo Hotel, which is a short walk from the main road. |
| The beach has no amenities, so you might have to pack lunch if you plan to spend the whole day there. | |
| Activities include nude sunbathing, swimming, and wildlife spotting. | |
| Playa Biesanz | It’s hidden and less crowded. Only go at low tide. It’s a bit rocky, so wear water shoes or closed-toe sandals. |
| You can visit the beach for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, wildlife spotting, snorkeling, and sunbathing. | |
| Amenities include toilets and showers (for a fee), umbrella and lounge rentals, and limited food and drink vendors. | |
| Playa Playitas | Primary activities include sunbathing, surfing, and wildlife spotting. |
| It is an extension of Playa Espadilla Norte from the north but is very low-key. | |
| The beach has no amenities like food vendors, restaurants, toilets, or washrooms. | |
Sightseeing
You can visit the farmer’s market and buy souvenirs for your friends and family back home. The market is on Friday (12–11 PM) and Saturday (6–12 AM). Vendors sell art, jewelry, fruits, and groceries. You will find the market behind the central bus station in Quepos town. A small market is next to the church on Wednesday between 8 AM and 12 p.m.
Family Things To Do in Manuel Antonio
A visit to Manuel Antonio National Park would be a good family experience. Park tickets are $16 per adult and $6 per child aged 2–12 years. You should book online in advance through the park’s website. You can take a bus from Quepos to the park. Please note that the park does not open on Tuesdays.
Some free activities to do at the park include:.
- Wildlife spotting: Famous for its diverse wildlife, Manuel Antonio National Park is home to various wildlife species. Sloths, monkeys, snakes, coatis, agoutis, deer, frogs, and different bird species are some of the most common animals in the park.
- Hiking: The park has 11 hiking trails, which lead to beaches, coastal cliffs, mangroves, lagoons, and forests. The trails are not rough and flat, with some having gravel, wooden boardwalks, or concrete. The only trail with stairs is the Mirador Trail. The Sendero de la Playa trail leads to a secluded beach.
- Beaches: Inside the park are three braces: Playa Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, and Playa Gemelas. You can spend the day sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.
- Cathedral Point: It’s a scenic point where you can see the whole park.
Once you’ve visited the park, the family’s next trip should be to the Marina Pez Vela. It’s one of the best places to go fishing after admiring the luxury fishing boats and million-dollar yachts. The Marina Pez Vela is in Quepos, a 10-minute drive from Manuel Antonio town. You’ll have to book a fishing charter for the day to do onshore fishing.
You can also visit Damas Island for a mangrove tour. The island is north of Quepos and has several estuaries, canals, and a mangrove forest. You can take a kayak or a boat with your family and explore. Some of the animals you will see are boas, crocodiles, monkeys, crabs, iguanas, and constrictors.
Your family will also have a good time at the Villa Vanilla Farm. It’s an organic spice farm overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. Villa Vanilla Farm comprises 27 acres of farmland and another 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest. The cash crops on the farm include.
- Allspice
- Turmeric
- Ceylon cinnamon
- Cocoa
- Black pepper
- Exotic fruits
- Essential oils and medicinal plants.
Things to Do in Manuel Antonio
One of the best things to do at night in Manuel Antonio is to go for night walks. It is the best time to see nocturnal animals such as frogs, snakes, and other insects. A night tour to El Seibo Wildlife Refuge is a good place to start. The night tour of Rainmaker Park is an excellent chance to see the following animals:
| Nocturnal animals to see in night tours | |
| Tropical frogs | Kinkajous (honey bears) |
| Scorpions | Owls |
| Colorful snakes | Spiders |
| Bats | Sloths |
| Tarantulas | Sleeping birds |
Despite being a small town, Manuel Antonio has a very vibrant nightlife. There are several places to have fun and dance the night away. A visit to Manuel Antonio is a miss if you don’t visit the following joints:.
- The Cuban Republik disco lounge is in the center of Quepos. You can dance away to reggaeton, bachata, and salsa. The club stays open until 2.03 AM, and ladies’ night is Tuesday.
- Selina Manuel Antonio is across from El Avion restaurant. There’s live music, karaoke, DJ’s music, free salsa dancing music, and a great place to make new friends.
- Drunken Monkey draws a younger and more local crowd. The night starts quietly before beginning to pick up at around 11 p.m. DJs, live music, karaoke, and dancing are great ways to spend the night.
- Jolly Roger Bar is a great place to go on a quiet night and listen to live music. The bar is next to Hotel Divisimar and features live music from local DJs or bands. You will find excellent and mouthwatering food and a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and international beer brands. It is also a great place to watch the big game and enjoy spectacular ocean views.
Things to Do in Manuel Antonio As A Couple
A catamaran cruise is one of the lovely things you can do as a couple. A sunset cruise as you sip cocktails with your partners is a romantic way to spend your evening. It’s fun to see marine life, such as dolphins and humpback whales (August to September).
Catamaran cruises depart from Quepos and sail out to sea. You’ll likely see some beaches around the bay and the peninsula. You can book the morning or evening catamaran cruise tour only during the dry season ( December to April). During the wet season, the catamaran tours are only available in the morning hours.
As a couple, you can have meals at Le Avion, a plane restaurant. Le Avion is an onsite restaurant in Hotel Costa Verde, with rooms on another plane. The restaurant is in the jungle but a few meters above the ocean and has fantastic views of Manuel Antonio.
Now that you have an idea what to do when you arrive Manuel Antonio, you should also check out our guide on Things to Know Before Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park.
Conclusion
Manuel Antonio will always be one of my favourite places in Costa Rica. It might not be a big town, but it’s a nice place to collect your thoughts. Most of the tourist places in Manuel Antonio are not crowded, and you can have a good time.
What were your favourite things to do at Manuel Antonio? 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!
