The short answer: choose Manuel Antonio for rainforest, wildlife and beaches together; Arenal for the volcano, hot springs and adventure; Monteverde for misty cloud forest and hanging bridges. With a week or more, many travelers combine Manuel Antonio with one of the other two, and finish on the beach.
Updated October 2026.
The three, side by side
| Manuel Antonio | Arenal (La Fortuna) | Monteverde | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape | Rainforest meets the Pacific | Volcano, lake and rivers | Cool, misty cloud forest |
| Wildlife | Monkeys, sloths, toucans, macaws, easy to see | Birds, frogs, sloths on tours | Quetzals, hummingbirds, night walks |
| Beaches | Yes, white sand in and near the park | No | No |
| Signature experiences | National park, catamaran, beach days | Hot springs, waterfalls, hanging bridges | Cloud-forest reserves, canopy, coffee |
| Climate | Warm all year | Warm, often humid | Cool and breezy |
| From San José | About 3 to 3.5 hours | About 3 to 3.5 hours | About 3.5 to 4 hours |
How to combine them
- One week: 3 nights in Arenal or Monteverde, then 4 nights in Manuel Antonio to end with the beach.
- Ten days or more: Arenal, Monteverde, then Manuel Antonio, with time to slow down at the end.
- Only a few days: pick Manuel Antonio for the most variety in the least driving.
Finish in the rainforest by the sea
After volcano and cloud-forest days, Manuel Antonio is the place to exhale. At ECOTICA Boutique Hotel & Spa you wake up in the rainforest, with the Jungle Spa, the pool and the beaches waiting. Our concierge can help plan the drive in.
Questions travelers ask
Which has the most wildlife?
For seeing animals easily, especially monkeys and sloths, Manuel Antonio is hard to beat. Monteverde is best for cloud-forest birds.
Can I see a volcano from Manuel Antonio?
No. For volcano views, go to Arenal; Manuel Antonio is about the rainforest and the ocean.
Ending your trip on the beach? Call +506 2777 0411, WhatsApp +506 8709 9083 or write to [email protected].
