Manuel Antonio National Park is where Costa Rica's rainforest meets the beach. It is the smallest national park in the country — just 16 km² of land — and yet it's the most visited, thanks to an unbeatable combination: easy, well-marked trails, some of the best wildlife spotting in Costa Rica, and postcard-perfect white-sand beaches.
This guide merges everything we know about visiting Manuel Antonio National Park: updated 2026 hours and ticket prices, the trails worth your time, the wildlife you can realistically see, the rules that catch visitors off guard, and how to get there from anywhere in the country.
Quick answer: book your ticket online in advance (the park sells out), arrive at the 7:00 AM opening, walk the Main Trail and Punta Catedral, then finish with a swim at Playa Manuel Antonio. Half a day is enough — and hiring a guide roughly triples the amount of wildlife you'll see.
Why visit Manuel Antonio National Park?
Manuel Antonio is proof that size isn't everything. Despite being one of Costa Rica's smallest national parks, it packs rainforest, mangroves, and coastal ecosystems into a compact area — which is exactly why the wildlife spotting is so good. Animals are easier to find here than in sprawling parks like Corcovado, and the trails are short, flat, and well maintained.
Then there's the part no other Costa Rican park offers in quite the same way: after a couple of hours of hiking, you can step straight onto a white-sand beach and go for a swim. Playa Manuel Antonio regularly ranks among the most beautiful beaches in the country.
- Wildlife density: sloths, three monkey species, iguanas, agoutis and 180+ bird species in a very walkable area
- Easy trails: mostly flat, shaded, and clearly marked — no hiking experience needed
- Beach + jungle combo: hike in the morning, swim in the afternoon
- Accessibility: the park entrance is a 10-minute drive from Quepos, with hotels, restaurants and shuttles nearby
- Family-friendly: short trails and calm swimming beaches make it one of the best parks in Costa Rica with kids
Manuel Antonio National Park hours and closing day
The park is open Wednesday to Monday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Last entry follows your reserved time slot, and rangers begin clearing the trails and beaches before the 3:00 PM close.
The park is closed every Tuesday. Plan around it — it's a common surprise for travelers who arrive at the gate on a Tuesday morning.
Entry is organized in 40-minute time slots (7:00–7:40, 8:00–8:40, 9:00–9:40, and so on). Don't stress about arriving exactly on time — you can enter within your slot window, and a few minutes late won't get you turned away. That said, the 7:00 AM slot is genuinely the best one: cooler temperatures, active wildlife, and quieter trails.
Manuel Antonio National Park tickets and entrance
Explore Manuel Antonio with a local naturalist guide →
Manuel Antonio has a strict daily visitor limit, and tickets regularly sell out — especially during high season (December–April), Easter week, and Christmas. Buy yours in advance; this is the single most important planning step for this park.
How tickets work:
- Tickets are sold online only through the official SINAC website — they are not sold at the park entrance
- The fee is $18.08 USD for adults (13+) and $5.65 for children aged 2–12 (children under 2 enter free; tax included)
- Tickets are valid for a single day and a single entry — there are no multi-day passes
- After purchasing, you receive a confirmation email with a barcode. Show the barcode on your phone (printing not required) plus your passport — original, photocopy, or a clear photo of the ID page
- Some guided tours include the entrance ticket, others don't — always check before booking
Avoid ticket scams. Individuals approach visitors near the park entrance selling "tickets" — these may be fake, overpriced, or invalid, and they won't get you in. Buy only through SINAC or a reputable tour operator. If you'd rather not handle the booking yourself, our Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour includes park tickets, a certified naturalist guide, and round-trip transportation from Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
Note: Costa Rican citizens and residents pay reduced rates (₡1,800 adults / ₡500 children 6–12), and seniors over 65 enter free.
What to expect inside Manuel Antonio National Park
The park is genuinely compact: most visitors walk the main trails in 2–3 hours, then spend another 1–2 hours on the beach. The terrain is mostly flat and shaded, boardwalk sections cover the muddiest parts, and the trails connect directly to the beaches — you don't need to be a hiker to enjoy this park.
Inside you'll move through three worlds in one visit: coastal rainforest full of wildlife, scenic viewpoints over the Pacific, and three distinct beaches. There's a designated picnic area (known as "the cage") near Playa Manuel Antonio where you can eat safely away from monkeys, plus restrooms and changing rooms at several points inside the park.
Wildlife you can see in Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see wildlife without trekking into remote wilderness. Because the park is small and the animals are habituated to respectful visitors, sightings are frequent — though never guaranteed.
- Three monkey species: white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and the endangered squirrel monkey (Manuel Antonio is one of its last strongholds)
- Two- and three-toed sloths — the park's biggest stars, usually curled high in the cecropia trees
- Birds: toucans, scarlet macaws, motmots and over 180 recorded species
- Reptiles and others: green iguanas, basilisk lizards, agoutis, white-nosed coatis, and occasionally deer
Honest expectations: sloths are famously hard to spot with an untrained eye — they look like bumps in the trees. Guides spot them constantly; most first-time visitors walk right past them. Snakes exist but are rarely seen. And if an animal doesn't show up on your visit, the beaches alone are worth the trip.
Manuel Antonio National Park trails
All trails are well maintained and clearly signed. You don't need hiking boots — sneakers are perfect, though they can get muddy after rain. Here are the trails that matter:
- Main Trail + Sendero Perezoso (Sloth Trail) — the classic route: flat, partly on boardwalk, and the best wildlife corridor in the park. Most guided tours follow it. If you walk one trail, make it this one.
- Punta Catedral — a ~1.4 km loop onto a forested headland with the best panoramic ocean views in the park. Connects Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur. The must-do for viewpoints.
- Sendero Mirador — about 1.3 km with elevated lookouts over the coastline and Punta Serrucho. Some stairs and a moderate incline.
- Sendero Playa Gemelas — leads to the park's quieter beach; a good escape when the main beaches fill up.
- Sendero Congo — a short connector between Playa Gemelas and the Mirador trail. Look up: howler monkeys and capuchins are frequently spotted here.
- Sendero La Catarata (Waterfall Trail) — a short ~1.2 km round trip to a small seasonal waterfall. Honest take: it's underwhelming and can be completely dry in dry season. Skip it if you're short on time; it's a decent quiet wildlife spot in green season.
Short on time? Do the Main Trail + Sendero Perezoso, add Punta Catedral if you have the energy, then finish at the beach. That combination covers the best wildlife, the best views, and the best swimming in under four hours.
Note: the trail to Playa Escondido has been closed for maintenance — check the status at the entrance if that beach was on your list.
The best beaches inside the park
The beaches are half the reason to visit this park. All three have soft sand and turquoise water framed by rainforest:
- Playa Manuel Antonio — the park's crown jewel and its most popular beach. Calm, swimmable water, white sand, and monkeys in the trees at the edge of the forest. Gets busy by mid-morning — another reason to do the trails first.
- Playa Espadilla Sur — the long, open beach just across the Punta Catedral headland. Wider and less crowded than Playa Manuel Antonio, with more space to spread out. Watch for flags: the northern end can have stronger surf.
- Playa Gemelas — the quiet one. Smaller, prettier in a rugged way, and noticeably less visited. Swim with caution here: currents can be strong, and there's no lifeguard.
There are no food vendors on the beaches, and no shade rentals — bring your own water (in a reusable bottle) and consider a small umbrella or rash guard for midday sun.
Should you hire a guide for Manuel Antonio National Park?
You can absolutely visit the park on your own — the trails are well marked and the beaches are easy to find. But if wildlife is why you're coming, a guide changes the experience completely.
Here's the reality: Manuel Antonio's animals are masters of camouflage, and the wildlife you've seen on Instagram was almost always found by a guide. Guides walk with telescopes (so you get close-up views and sharp photos through your phone), relay sightings to each other in real time, and explain the behavior of what you're looking at — which is the difference between "seeing a bump in a tree" and watching a sloth wake up and scratch its belly.
You can hire guides at the park entrance, but availability isn't guaranteed in high season — the best ones get booked early. Our advice: book in advance. Our Manuel Antonio National Park guided wildlife tour includes a certified naturalist guide, telescope, park tickets, and hotel pickup, so the whole morning is organized for you.
What to bring to Manuel Antonio National Park
Pack light — you'll carry everything yourself, and bags get checked at the entrance. The essentials:
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers (no hiking boots needed, but no flip-flops either)
- Reusable water bottle — single-use plastic bottles are banned inside the park
- Reef-safe sunscreen (applied 20 minutes before entering — sprays are not allowed)
- Insect repellent
- Swimsuit and a small towel
- Hat and sunglasses
- Camera or binoculars — the single best upgrade for wildlife spotting after a guide
- Light rain jacket (green season)
- Your passport (or a photo of it) and your ticket barcode
Leave at your hotel: any food or snacks (more on that below), single-use plastics, drones, and pets.
Manuel Antonio National Park rules
The rules here are strict and actually enforced — rangers check bags at the entrance. They exist to protect the wildlife, and monkeys in particular:
- No food or alcoholic beverages. Feeding wildlife is prohibited — it makes monkeys aggressive and sick. There is a designated eating area ("the cage") near Playa Manuel Antonio where you can safely eat food bought inside.
- No single-use plastics: no plastic bags, no plastic bottles, no straws.
- No feeding or touching wildlife — keep at least a couple of meters of distance, and never provoke an animal for a photo.
- Stay on marked trails — both for your safety and the ecosystem's.
- No drones, no pets, no speaker music.
Rangers will ask you to dispose of banned items before entering. If you're carrying snacks for the beach afterwards, leave them in your car or hotel — or plan to eat at "the cage" inside.
How to get to Manuel Antonio National Park
The park entrance sits between Quepos and the Manuel Antonio neighborhood, about 10 minutes' drive from Quepos town and roughly 3–3.5 hours from San José. Your options:
- Shared shuttle — the sweet spot for most travelers: air-conditioned, hotel-to-hotel (designated pickup points), and very reasonably priced on the San José–Manuel Antonio route. We operate shared shuttles across Costa Rica, including several daily departures to Manuel Antonio.
- Private shuttle or transfer — door-to-door on your schedule. Worth it for families, groups, or early departures. Check our complete Costa Rica transportation guide to compare all options.
- Rental car — the road is fully paved the whole way, so no 4x4 needed. The last stretch past Quepos is narrow and curvy — drive slowly. Parking: there's no official park lot; use one of the private lots about 150 m from the entrance (~$10/day, attended until mid-afternoon). Ignore aggressive self-appointed "parking guides" waving cars down on the last hill — several are notorious scams; drive to the official-looking lots instead.
- Public bus — the budget champion. Direct buses run from San José (Tracopa terminal, 3.5–4 hours) to Quepos, then a local bus to Manuel Antonio every 20 minutes or so (under 500 colones each way). Reliable, cheap, slow.
- Domestic flight — the fastest option if you're short on time: a 20–30 minute Sansa flight from San José to Quepos airport, then a 10–15 minute drive to the park. See our domestic flights guide.
If you book our guided tour, round-trip transport from your hotel is included — no parking, no tickets, no logistics.
Where to stay for visiting Manuel Antonio National Park
Two options, and the right one depends on your style:
- Quepos — the working town: more local, more budget-friendly, better for restaurants and the marina. You'll drive or bus 10–15 minutes to the park.
- Manuel Antonio — the hotel strip spread along the road between Quepos and the park: hillside hotels with ocean views, closer to the beach and the park entrance.
For specific recommendations at every price point, see our guide: Best hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos: where to stay?
Where to eat near Manuel Antonio National Park
Inside the park there's only the small café at "the cage" — convenient but limited. For real meals, the road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio is lined with excellent restaurants, from casual sodas to sunset fine dining. Our full recommendations live here: The best restaurants in Manuel Antonio and Quepos.
How much time do you need in Manuel Antonio National Park?
Plan for a half-day: roughly 2–3 hours on the trails and wildlife watching, plus 1–2 hours for the beach. Enter at 7:00 AM and you'll be at the beach by 10, with the afternoon free for everything else Manuel Antonio offers.
Beach lovers and slow travelers can happily fill a full day — swim, picnic at "the cage", walk Punta Catedral in the cooler afternoon — but the park genuinely rewards an early start more than a long stay.
Best time to visit Manuel Antonio National Park
Dry season (December–April): sunny days, calm seas, the best beach conditions — and the biggest crowds. Tickets sell out days or weeks ahead; book early.
Green season (May–November): lush forest, fewer visitors, and usually bright mornings with rain arriving in the afternoon. Waterfalls around the region flow properly, and hotel prices drop. Wildlife is active year-round.
Two rules that beat any season: go early (7:00 AM — cooler, quieter, more animals) and avoid cruise-ship days if your dates are flexible, when the park gets noticeably busier.
Manuel Antonio National Park FAQs
Can I visit Manuel Antonio National Park without a guide?
Yes. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. You'll likely see fewer animals than a guided group would, but the park, the trails and the beaches are perfectly enjoyable on your own.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park worth visiting?
Yes — it's one of Costa Rica's most rewarding parks: real wildlife, beautiful beaches and easy trails in a compact area. Just book tickets ahead and go early.
Can I buy Manuel Antonio National Park tickets at the entrance?
No. Tickets are online-only through the official SINAC site (or included in a guided tour). The park does not sell tickets at the gate.
Do I need a 4x4 to get to Manuel Antonio?
No. The road from San José and from Quepos to the park is fully paved. Any rental car handles it fine.
Is there parking near Manuel Antonio National Park?
There's no official park lot, but private attended lots sit about 150 meters from the entrance, costing around $10 for the day. Arrive early in high season. Be wary of unofficial attendants waving cars down before you reach the park area.
Are there bathrooms inside Manuel Antonio National Park?
Yes — at the entrance and at several points inside the park, including a facility with showers and changing rooms near the beach.
Are there lockers at Manuel Antonio National Park?
Yes, lockers rent at the entrance for roughly $6 for the day — useful if you're heading to the beach after the hike.
Can I bring a backpack into the park?
Yes, but bags are checked at the entrance. No food, no single-use plastics — leave those at your hotel.
What happens if it rains?
The park stays open and wildlife often stays active in light rain. Trails can get slippery, so wear shoes with grip. Big storms can close trails temporarily.
How long should I spend in Manuel Antonio National Park?
Half a day: 2–3 hours of trails and wildlife, plus 1–2 hours at the beach. Enter at 7:00 AM for the best experience.
What should I wear to Manuel Antonio National Park?
Light, breathable clothes, comfortable closed shoes, a hat, and swimwear under your clothes so you can go straight from trail to beach.
Can I see sloths and monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park?
Very likely, but never guaranteed. Monkeys are commonly seen; sloths are common but hard to spot without a guide's trained eye and telescope.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park good for families?
Yes — it's one of the most family-friendly parks in Costa Rica: short flat trails, calm swimming beaches, and a compact layout. Keep children close and don't let them approach animals.
Are there jaguars in Manuel Antonio National Park?
Jaguars live in Costa Rica but are essentially never seen in Manuel Antonio — the park is too small and too visited. The stars here are sloths, monkeys and birds.
Plan the rest of your Manuel Antonio trip
- How to get to Manuel Antonio or Quepos from San José or SJO Airport?
- Best hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos: where to stay?
- The best restaurants and cafés in Manuel Antonio and Quepos
- Top 10 free things to do in Manuel Antonio and Quepos
- Quepos, Costa Rica: history, culture, and must-visit spots
- Transportation in Costa Rica: all options compared
Questions about your visit? Contact us — we're a family business based right here in the area, and we help travelers plan Manuel Antonio days every week.
