Manuel Antonio is one of the top three must-see destinations in Costa Rica! It has the best of both worlds, with rainforests and stunning beaches. Manuel Antonio is known for its abundant wildlife. It’s a great place to see dolphins, whales, and sloths!
This guide goes over the best tours and activities not only in Manuel Antonio, but on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. These are the things you don’t want to miss on your trip to the rich coast!
1. Manuel Antonio National Park 🐒
The national park is Manuel Antonio’s claim to fame and a must-do. There is no other park in Costa Rica quite like it! I often compare it to a zoo—there’s that much wildlife.
Here you can spot the tiny squirrel monkey and the mischievous capuchin monkey, two and three-toed sloths, scarlet macaws, bats, snakes, frogs, a variety of lizards, and even caiman! The last time I visited, there was a monkey just casually walking along the front gate of the national park.
You can visit the park with or without a guide. As a broke college kid, I went without a guide. Manuel Antonio is very popular so when an animal is spotted you will generally see a group gathering to catch a glimpse.
However, a guide is worth every penny to truly appreciate the park and all the life inside. They carry binoculars and offer invaluable expertise and information. I would definitely suggest getting a guide if it is your first time at the park!
The park is open from 7am-4pm, with admission closing at 3pm. It is closed every Tuesday. You will need to book your tickets on the SINAC website ahead of time to ensure your entrance into the park.
The best time to see animals is in the morning, but wildlife is abundant here! Especially if you go with a guide, you should have no trouble spotting many animals (even a couple sloths).
2. Hit the Manuel Antonio Beaches! 🏖️
The beaches of Manuel Antonio are known for their turquoise waters and white sand. They are some of the best beaches in Costa Rica! Two of the most stunning beaches (Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur) are only accessible through the national park.
Public Beaches (outside of the national park)
The main beach in Manuel Antonio is called Espadilla Norte. This beach is bustling with activities. Here you can try surfing, jetskiing, parasailing, and more. The beach is long and wide and the waves are gentle enough to swim. You can rent umbrellas and beach chairs right on the beach. There are parking lots very near to the beach. If you’re staying right in town it’s also accessible by walking.
For more information about where to stay, check out this post.
Beisanz and Playitas are two other beautiful beaches in the area. Biesanz is in a cove, so the waves are gentle and the beach is peaceful. Here you can rent kayaks, beach chairs, and more, making for a great day trip. Playitas is a bit more secluded and is a great local surf spot.
Beaches within the National Park
Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur are two breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Manuel Antonio is the beach that made me fall in love with Costa Rica! The jungle and boulders make a gorgeous contrast against the white sand.
An important thing to keep in mind when visiting these beaches is you will need to watch your things! Monkeys and raccoons seemingly work together to pickpocket your belongings at any opportunity.
My dad had to ward them off with a stick! It’s an unforgettable experience that we still laugh about today, and the beauty of the beaches make it worthwhile.
Both beaches have bathrooms, showers to rinse, and changing areas.
3. Catamaran Cruise – Morning or Sunset 🛥️
Don’t forget to appreciate the life under the sea when in Manuel Antonio! A catamaran tour includes swimming and snorkeling at a pristine beach only accessible by boat. They’ll also serve you a fresh buffet lunch and unlimited drinks! Manuel Antonio is a great spot to do a catamaran because you have the opportunity to see dolphins and whales off the coast of the national park.
A great sunset cruise is offered by Sea Quest. I highly recommend doing a sunset catamaran tour in Costa Rica! Watching the sun sink into the ocean is a magical experience.
4. Kayak the Mangroves 🛶
This guided tour through Damas Island mangroves is an unforgettable experience. Learn about this unique ecosystem where salt water mixes with fresh! You’ll have the opportunity to see many animals and have a local expert to tell you about them.
5. Whitewater Rafting 💦
If you’re looking for an adventure, Manuel Antonio has plenty of rafting options. There are several rivers in the area, each with a different intensity rating. You’ll be sure to find the perfect tour for your group!
Savegre River is best for families and those looking for a less extreme experience. It counts as Class II-III rapids. Naranjo is more intense (Class III-IV), and then finally El Chorro which has Class IV rapids.
6. Night Walk in the Rainforest 🔦
Another amazing way to experience the wildlife of Manuel Antonio is by going on a guided night walk! See the jungle come to life when the sun goes down. Spot snakes, frogs, scorpions, sleeping monkeys, and more.
7. Parasailing 🪂
Manuel Antonio is known as one of the best places in Costa Rica to go parasailing! This is a popular activity on Playa Espadilla Norte. It’s a great location because you get an overhead view of the national park, the jungle, the beach, and the ocean. Aguas Azules is a company that offers these tours on Playa Espadilla and has wonderful reviews.
8. Fishing 🎣
There are tons of fishing options in Manuel Antonio! Sport, inshore, and deep sea fishing charters leave out of Marina Pez Vela in the nearby town of Quepos. You can also go on a half day spearfishing adventure in the clear blue Pacific waters.
9. Ziplining ⛰️
Ziplining has quickly become a quintessential activity in Costa Rica! And Manuel Antonio, with all its gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and the rainforest, is a lovely place for it!
El Santuario Canopy Adventure is the longest twin zipline in Central America! It’s actually featured on National Geographic! It includes a rappel, four hanging bridges, a nature walk, and a huge 0.8 mile (1.3km) twin zipline.
You could also take advantage of the adventure combo tour which includes an ATV tour to the breathtaking Nauyaca Waterfall, zip lines, and entrance to a butterfly garden.
10. See Nauyaca Waterfall 💧
A short 1-1.5 hours from Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most impressive waterfalls. The sheer size of Nauyaca is stunning. It’s one of the best photo ops in Costa Rica and makes for a fantastic day trip!
✨ Pro Tip: Make the most of your day trip! Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon relaxing in the natural pools as you take in this beautiful waterfall.
The hike to Nauyaca is quite long 4-6km trail (2.5-4 miles each way). It takes about 3-3.5 hours roundtrip. That being said, there are multiple options to get to the waterfall. You can hike both ways if you’d like, or they offer one or both way shuttles. You can book your ticket here.
There’s also several tours that combine this impressive waterfall and a four-wheeler tour or lunch. Check out these options below to make the most of your trip to Nauyaca!
11. Hike to Diamante Waterfall 💧
If you’re looking to chase more than one waterfall, check out El Diamante. This hidden waterfall is found at the end of a challenging 3km (2 miles) hike.
12. Visit Other Nearby Destinations 🚗
If Manuel Antonio is home base and you’re looking for some neat day trips, there are several destinations nearby. Jaco, Uvita, and Dominical are all beach towns within an hour or so of driving! Jaco is known for its surf culture and nightlife, while Uvita is home to another national park. Dominical is a laidback beach town that celebrates wellness and has lots of organic food options!
Finally, San Gerardo de Dota is a very unique mountaintop town. It is one of the highest towns in Costa Rica with an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,218ft above sea level). Here you can try Costa Rican wine and enjoy the unique, chilly weather as you cuddle up with a cup of local coffee!
Final Thoughts on the Best Activities in Manuel Antonio
It’s no wonder Manuel Antonio is one Costa Rica’s most beloved destinations. It is a natural wonderland with both an extremely biodiverse rainforest and gorgeous beaches!
From adrenaline junkies to animal lovers, Manuel Antonio has something for every traveler at every age group. It’s especially great for those traveling with children or anyone coming to Costa Rica for a short time frame!
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