Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio's Most Iconic Park
Established in 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica. It is located on the country’s central Pacific coast, just south of the town of Quepos.
Although it is one of the smallest national parks in the country, the park protects a mix of tropical forest, beaches, and marine areas. Within its roughly 1,983 hectares of land and protected coastal waters, visitors can find a wide range of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles, and many other species.
The park is also known for its network of walking trails that pass through the forest and lead to several beaches along the coastline.
Hours and Entrance Fees
Manuel Antonio National Park is open every day except Tuesday, typically from 7 AM to 4 PM. Entrance tickets must be purchased online through the official SINAC system before arriving at the park. At the time of writing, the entrance fee is $18.08 for non-resident adults and $5.65 for non-resident children (ages 2–12). Costa Rican residents pay a lower fee.
Once inside the park, you will find a network of clearly marked walking trails that pass through tropical forest and connect several beaches. Visitors usually receive a map at the entrance or can download one in advance to help navigate the trails.
It is possible to explore the park on your own, but many visitors choose to hire a certified local guide at the entrance. Guides often carry spotting scopes and help point out wildlife that is easy to miss, such as sloths, monkeys, frogs, insects, and birds. Guided walks typically last a few hours and focus on the plants and animals found along the trails.
If you plan to visit during the busy season or on weekends, it is a good idea to book your entrance tickets and any guided tour in advance, since daily visitor numbers are limited.
Why Choose the Manuel Antonio National Park?
Amazing Biodiversity
Manuel Antonio National Park is known for its high level of biodiversity despite being one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica. The park protects a mix of tropical rainforest, mangroves, and coastal ecosystems, which support a wide range of plant and animal life.
Once inside the park, you will find a network of clearly marked walking trails that pass through tropical forest and connect several beaches. Visitors usually receive a map at the entrance or can download one in advance to help navigate the trails.
Commitment to Conservation
Established in 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park was created to protect the area’s coastal rainforest, beaches, and marine ecosystems. Over time, it has become one of Costa Rica’s most recognized national parks and an important part of the country’s protected area system.
Expert Guides
Local, knowledgeable, and friendly guides are passionate about the cloud forest and its inhabitants. They will enhance your experience with fascinating insights, ensuring that every moment at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is educational and memorable.
What Nature Lovers Say
Book Your Manuel Antonio Guided Tour Experience Today!
If you are planning to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, joining a guided tour is a practical way to learn more about the area. A local guide can help you spot wildlife along the trails and explain how the park’s ecosystems work.
Our guided walks through Manuel Antonio National Park follow the main trails and focus on observing animals, plants, and other details that are easy to miss without experience. Guides also carry spotting scopes so you can see wildlife more clearly.
You can book your guided tour in advance to secure your spot or learn more about what to expect during your visit to Manuel Antonio National Park.
$65
$65
Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour
- All Ages
- Natural History Tour
- 7:30 AM | 12:30 PM
Our knowledgeable naturalist guides will lead you along the trails of both the primary and secondary forests within the park. As you explore, they’ll introduce you to incredible species and share fascinating insights about the park’s natural history. You’ll learn about each species you encounter and gain a deeper understanding of the animals that inhabit this beautiful park.
$65
Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour
- All Ages
- Natural History Tour
- 7:30 AM | 12:30 PM
Our knowledgeable naturalist guides will lead you along the trails of both the primary and secondary forests within the park. As you explore, they’ll introduce you to incredible species and share fascinating insights about the park’s natural history. You’ll learn about each species you encounter and gain a deeper understanding of the animals that inhabit this beautiful park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manuel Antonio National Park located?
Manuel Antonio National Park is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, near the town of Quepos in Puntarenas Province. It is about a 3-hour drive from San José, which makes it one of the most accessible national parks in the country.
According to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, only 1% of the global woodland consists of cloud forests with a total of 736 cloud forest sites distributed among 59 countries. Six of those sites are located in Costa Rica, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is by far the most visited with approximately 70,000 visitors per year (up to 450 visits per day during the peak tourist season, from December through April). These visitors come to admire the beauty of the forest, in search of this high density of flora and fauna.
Please note that, even though the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve contains an impressive variety of flora and fauna, spotting animals on the trails is not easy nor common. You will need the help of a local tour guide to spot some wildlife, and even with a tour guide, you might not be able to spot a lot of animals because the Reserve protects over 10,500 hectares (26,000 acres) of cloud forest and animals usually avoid the contact with humans by going deeper into the forest, rather than becoming visible on the trails.
What animals can you see in Manuel Antonio National Park?
Manuel Antonio National Park is known for its wildlife. Visitors often see three species of monkeys (white-faced capuchin, howler, and squirrel monkeys), as well as two species of sloths. Other common sightings include iguanas, raccoons, frogs, and many tropical birds. Because animals often stay high in the trees, many visitors choose a guided tour to help spot them.
Please note that even though that is an impressive amount of rain per day, it’s usually not rainy the entire day. Most of the time it rains during a fraction of the day, sometimes during a few hours in the morning, other times during a few hours in the afternoon, but rarely back-to-back the entire day, except a few days during the rainy season which goes from May through November with September and October being the most rainy months.
Rain is also significantly less prominent during the summer months which go from December to April. However, it’s always recommended to bring a rain jacket when you plan to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, regardless of the time of the year you plan to visit.
Do you need to buy tickets in advance for Manuel Antonio National Park?
Yes. Tickets must be purchased online in advance through Costa Rica’s official SINAC reservation system. Daily visitor numbers are limited, and tickets often sell out during the high season, weekends, and holidays.
How long does it take to visit Manuel Antonio National Park?
Most visitors spend 3 to 4 hours exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. This usually includes walking the main trails, looking for wildlife, and spending some time at one of the park’s beaches. Some visitors stay longer to swim or relax at Playa Manuel Antonio or Playa Espadilla Sur inside the park.
Is a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park worth it?
A guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park can help you get more out of your visit. Guides know where animals tend to rest and often carry spotting scopes to help visitors see wildlife clearly. They also explain the plants, animals, and conservation efforts in the park while walking along the trails.