VISITOR GUIDE

Manuel Antonio National Park: Visitor Guide

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small coastal park 7 km from Quepos where forest trails lead down to beaches, a mangrove and rocky viewpoints over the Pacific. It opens Wednesday to Monday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is closed every Tuesday. Tickets are sold only online through SINAC, Costa Rica’s national parks agency.

Last reviewed for park visitors: October 2026. Ticket prices, opening days and trail rules are set by SINAC and can shift, so confirm on its official pages before you walk in.

AT A GLANCE

Manuel Antonio National Park in brief

Fact	Detail
Location	Quepos canton, Puntarenas province, on the Central Pacific coast. The main entrance is 7 km from Quepos and about 157 km from San José (SINAC).
Protected since	1972, as the “Parque Recreativo Nacional Playas de Manuel Antonio” (Law 5100); national park category since 1977 (Law 6084) (SINAC).
Size	1,953 ha of land and 25,634 ha of sea, with twelve islands (Visit Costa Rica).
Highest viewpoints	About 160 m above sea level (SINAC).
Open	Wednesday to Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays (SINAC).
Tickets	Online only, at SINAC’s online services site; bring the ID you booked with.
Trails	A signed network graded from universal access to high difficulty, including an elevated boardwalk over the mangrove (SINAC trail map).
Beaches inside	Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Playas Gemelas and the cove at Puerto Escondido.
Star resident	The Central American squirrel monkey, or mono tití (Saimiri oerstedii), the park’s emblem species (SINAC).
Popularity	Costa Rica’s most visited protected area; a record 436,466 visitors in 2016 (SINAC).

WHY IT'S SPECIAL

What makes Manuel Antonio different

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s smaller national parks, but SINAC says it receives more national and international visitors than any other protected area in the country. The reason is simple: in a few hours you can walk through very humid tropical forest, look for monkeys and sloths, and then swim at a beach inside the park.

According to SINAC, the park protects:

Very humid tropical forest, including primary forest, where threatened plants and animals live side by side.
A mangrove of about 18 hectares, a mix of fresh and salt water with red, piñuela and caballero mangroves, which you can see from the trails that run behind Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur.
A 14-hectare lagoon, islands and marine areas. Visit Costa Rica lists 1,953 hectares of land and 25,634 hectares of sea, with twelve islands that serve as refuges for seabirds.
Remarkable variety for its size. SINAC reports about 352 bird species, 109 mammal species and 346 plant species recorded in the park.

The park also has an unusual origin. It was created in 1972 by Law 5100, after years of pressure from Quepos residents who had been shut out of the beaches by their private owners. Read that story in our history and culture guide.

WHO LIVES HERE

A rare forest and the animals you are most likely to meet

Manuel Antonio protects a small piece of a forest type that has almost disappeared from the region: the transition between tropical moist forest and tropical very humid forest (SINAC). That rare habitat is home to the park’s emblem, the Central American squirrel monkey or mono tití (Saimiri oerstedii), a small, golden-backed monkey found only on the Pacific side of Costa Rica and Panama. The IUCN Red List classifies the species as Vulnerable, which makes every troop you see moving through the trees a special sight. Our monkey guide tells their story.

Commonly seen in the park

Mammals: white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, two-toed and three-toed sloths, raccoons, coatis and agoutis (SINAC; ICT). See our sloth guide and coatis and raccoons.
Birds: small toucans known locally as tucancillos, brown pelicans, ospreys, green kingfishers, boat-billed herons and the rufous-necked wood rail (ICT). More in our bird guide.
Reptiles: green iguanas, ctenosaurs and snakes along the trails (ICT); see reptiles and iguanas.
By the numbers: beyond the bird, mammal and plant counts above, the ICT park brochure lists 93 reptile and 56 amphibian species.

The same forest, right outside your door

The park is the heart of a much wider stretch of rainforest. At ECOTICA, on our own 10-acre reserve a few minutes away, guests often watch all three monkey species, both sloths, coatis, agoutis, deer, toucans and a nesting pair of scarlet macaws from the breakfast table or their bungalow porch. Sightings are never guaranteed, but many guests meet their first sloth before they reach the park gate. Read more in wildlife where you stay.

TICKETS & HOURS

Tickets, opening days and prices

When it’s open

Wednesday to Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Closed every Tuesday for maintenance.

How to buy tickets

SINAC sells tickets only online, through its online services site. At the gate you show your ticket together with the identity document you booked with (a passport for most foreign visitors). Each ticket is valid for one entry.

The park limits how many people can enter each day. The official number has changed over the years, so on holidays and in the dry season book as early as you can rather than counting on same-day availability.

Entrance fees listed by SINAC (VAT included)

Non-resident adult (over 12): US$18.08
Non-resident child (2 to 12): US$5.65
Non-resident child under 2: free
Resident adult (over 12): ₡1,808
Resident child (6 to 12): ₡565; under 6: free
Costa Rican citizens over 65 (Ciudadano de Oro): free

Prices as shown on SINAC’s Spanish-language park page, checked September 2026. SINAC’s English page shows the same rates before tax ($16 + VAT and $5 + VAT). Always confirm on the booking site.

Step by step: our page on Manuel Antonio National Park tickets and hours walks you through buying online, what to bring and the best time to arrive. For a gentle first visit, read your first morning in the park.

GUIDES

Going with a guide (or without)

You don’t need a guide to enter. Trails are signed and easy to follow. But many animals here are well camouflaged: a sloth can look exactly like a clump of leaves, and a snake or a tree frog can be right beside the path. Naturalist guides carry spotting scopes and know where animals have been seen lately, so most first-time visitors see far more with one.

Many guides will also take a photo through the scope with your phone. It’s often the only way to get a clear picture of a sloth high in the canopy.

Official guides inside the park

SINAC lists one guiding concession inside the park: Manuel Antonio Official Tour Guides, run by the Association of Certified Tour Guides of the Canton of Quepos (phone +506 8671 1813, email [email protected]). According to SINAC:

Guided walks run Wednesday to Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon walks at 3:30 p.m. (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and night walks at 5:30 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) run only in special seasons, from November to April.

Booking ahead

If you’re staying with us, you can arrange a guided park walk through ECOTICA. See wildlife and nature tours, or send your dates through our tours request form.

GUIDED OR SELF-GUIDED

Guided walk or your own pace: how to choose

Both ways of seeing the park are wonderful, and many visitors combine them: a two-hour guided walk on the main trails, then free time for the viewpoints and a swim. The table below sets out the difference so you can pick what suits your group.

	With a certified naturalist guide	On your own
Spotting wildlife	A trained eye and a spotting scope find sloths, snakes, frogs and roosting bats you would walk straight past.	You will still enjoy monkeys, iguanas and birds near the trails, especially early in the morning.
Photos	Phone photos through the scope, often the clearest shot of a sloth you will ever take.	Bring a zoom lens or binoculars for animals high in the canopy.
Pace	Unhurried, with frequent stops; most guided walks cover the flatter main trails.	Free to choose the steeper viewpoint trails and linger as long as you like at the beach.
Learning	Stories about plants, animal behavior and the park’s history as you walk.	The interpretive signs along the trails and the official map.
Best for	First visits, families with children, photographers, anyone who wants to see as much as possible.	Repeat visitors, keen hikers and those who prefer quiet time on their own.

Choosing a guide with confidence

Costa Rica’s tourism board recommends hiring guides only at the park entrance, confirming the price and what is included before you set off, and politely declining offers from people who approach you on the road outside (ICT park brochure). Certified naturalist guides carry identification, and the official guiding concession has its office inside the park, beside the lockers (SINAC trail map).

The easiest option of all is to arrange it before you arrive. Planning ahead? Book a guided park walk with our concierge and your guide will be set for the morning you choose, timed for the cool first hours after opening.

TRAILS & BEACHES

Trails, beaches and viewpoints

SINAC describes a network of signed trails that lead from the entrance through the forest to the beaches and up to viewpoints at the park’s highest points, about 160 m above sea level. Download the official trail map before you go. Below are the places SINAC itself names.

Main routes

Perezoso trail (Sendero Perezoso). SINAC calls it the “vehicle trail”. It’s the wide main route in from the entrance and has drinking-water fountains for refilling bottles.
Beach trails to Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur, which run alongside the mangrove and also have water fountains.
La Catarata (waterfall) trail. A small waterfall that only flows in the rainy season. Ask at the entrance whether it’s running.
Mirador Punta Serrucho. A viewpoint over a jagged rock formation. SINAC explains that its broken, saw-like shape (serrucho means “saw”) comes from movement along a tectonic fault.
Punta Catedral. Once an island, now joined to the coast by a sandy strip called a tombolo, with viewpoints over the islands where seabirds nest. In September 2026, SINAC’s English page says the Punta Catedral trail is temporarily closed. Check at the entrance.

Beaches inside the park

Playa Manuel Antonio. The best-known beach, in a sheltered bay. SINAC notes good snorkeling toward the rocky sides, with fish and some coral.
Playa Espadilla Sur. Long and wide at low tide and usually quieter than Playa Manuel Antonio, though SINAC notes the waves can be strong at some times of year.
Playa Gemelas. A beach split in two by a rock formation that keeps changing with the sea and weather.

Other features SINAC highlights

Puerto Escondido viewpoint. A coastal view where, at low tide, you may see a sand bridge linking an island to the shore.
La Trampa. At low tide, to the right of Playa Manuel Antonio beside Punta Catedral, a circle of stones is visible. SINAC describes it as archaeological remains that, by local account, Indigenous people used as a trap for turtles and fish.

For a comparison of beaches inside and outside the park, see our Manuel Antonio beaches guide. For snorkeling tips, read snorkeling in Manuel Antonio.

TRAIL BY TRAIL

Every trail in the park, from easiest to hardest

SINAC’s official trail map grades each route by difficulty, from universal access through low, easy and medium to high, and marks the ones that include steps. In recent years SINAC rebuilt eight trails, opening more than 6 km of walking routes for visitors (MINAE-SINAC). Here is the whole network in one place, using the names on the map so you can match them to the signs.

Trail (official name)	Difficulty on SINAC’s map	What you will find
Universal Elevado El Manglar	Universal access	An elevated concrete boardwalk, 2.4 m wide, that crosses the wetland from the entrance toward the beaches, with ten observation points and signs about plants and animals (SINAC; MINAE).
Camino vehicular El Perezoso	Low	The broad main route through the forest to the beach area, with water fountains and the café and souvenir shop along the way. Many guided walks spend most of their time here.
Paralelo al Perezoso	Medium, with steps	A narrower forest path that runs beside the main route. A good choice when the Perezoso trail is busy.
Catarata Estacional	Medium, with steps	A short spur to the seasonal waterfall, at its best in the green season.
Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur trails	Easy	The level paths behind the two main beaches and across the sandy tombolo, past the mangrove.
Gemelas	Low, with steps toward the beach	A forest trail west of the café that drops down to Playas Gemelas.
Congos	Medium, with steps	A forest connector that shares its name with the howler monkey (mono congo); listen for their deep calls.
Puerto Escondido	Medium, with steps	Continues past Gemelas to the viewpoint over the hidden cove of Puerto Escondido.
Miradores Punta Serrucho	High, with steps	A long climb up to the viewpoints over the saw-toothed Punta Serrucho at the park’s highest points.
Punta Catedral	High, with steps	A loop over the former island, with five viewpoints toward the seabird islands (SINAC). Check at the entrance whether it is open.

How to combine them

Easy and flat: El Manglar boardwalk in, El Perezoso to the beaches, and the beach trails. Ideal with children, older travelers or a stroller.
Forest and a hidden beach: add Gemelas and Puerto Escondido for quieter forest and a smaller beach, with some steps along the way.
The big views: fit walkers can climb to the Punta Serrucho viewpoints, and to Punta Catedral when it is open, for the best panoramas of the coast and islands.

Keep to the right on stairways, stay on the marked trail and leave the rocky areas to the crabs; all three are on SINAC’s map. Lengths and times vary with your pace and how often you stop to watch animals, which is often.

BEACHES, ISLANDS & THE TOMBOLO

Four beaches, a former island and twelve islets offshore

Part of the magic of Manuel Antonio is how quickly the forest gives way to the sea. Within a short walk of the entrance you reach two beaches on either side of Punta Catedral, and farther west two smaller coves wait at the end of forest trails.

Beach	Character	Best for
Playa Espadilla Sur	About 900 m long, between the park’s northern boundary and Punta Catedral; wide at low tide, with livelier waves (ICT).	Long walks on the sand, space to spread out, watching pelicans fish beyond the surf.
Playa Manuel Antonio	About 598 m long in a sheltered bay, the park’s most visited beach (ICT).	Swimming, snorkeling toward the rocky ends, and spotting La Trampa at low tide.
Playas Gemelas	Twin coves divided by rock, shaped over time by streams, currents, wind and tectonic movement (SINAC).	A quieter stop on the way to Puerto Escondido.
Puerto Escondido	A small hidden bay seen from the viewpoint at the end of its trail (SINAC trail map).	Photographs, sea views and the low-tide sand bridge.

Punta Catedral and the tombolo

Punta Catedral was once an island. Over time, sand and sediment built up between it and the mainland until a sandy strip, called a tombolo, joined the two (SINAC). That strip is the neck of land you cross between Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio, and it explains why the park has two beaches back to back. The tombolo also acted as a bridge for wildlife: many species crossed from the coast to the former island (ICT). On the headland itself, patches of primary and secondary forest survive.

The islands and the marine park

Most of Manuel Antonio is actually sea: the marine area is many times larger than the land (Visit Costa Rica). From the Punta Catedral viewpoints you can pick out, from north to south, Isla Larga (also called Picuda), Isla Gemelas, Isla Olocuita, Isla Toro Amarillo and Isla Verde or Mogote; some of them are nesting sites for Pacific seabirds (ICT). Below the surface live moray eels, angelfish, sea urchins and starfish (ICT). For a closer look, a boat trip along the coast shows the islands from the water, and our ocean and marine life guide covers dolphins, whales and reef fish.

SERVICES & RULES

Facilities, food and what you can bring

Facilities (per SINAC)

Restrooms, changing rooms and showers. Soap and shampoo are not allowed in the showers.
Lockers for rent from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Drinking-water fountains on the Perezoso trail and the beach trails, so bring a reusable bottle.
A concession selling food and crafts. Food bought there can be eaten only in the designated area, between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. SINAC’s Spanish page adds that food is not allowed on the beaches and trails.

Not allowed in the park (per SINAC)

Bringing in food or drinks of any kind, except under the conditions and exceptions set by the park administration. If you have a medical or dietary need, ask the park before your visit.
Feeding wild animals.
Pets of any kind.
Alcohol, smoking or drugs.
Umbrellas, balls, tents or hammocks.
Fishing or hunting, making fires or collecting firewood.
Damaging plants, animals or park facilities, and collecting shells or snails.
Weapons, and putting up advertising of any kind.

The full public-use regulation is on SINAC’s site (in Spanish).

Accessibility

SINAC doesn’t publish detailed accessibility information for the park. The Perezoso trail is the wide main route (SINAC calls it a vehicle trail), and some visitors with strollers or limited mobility use it. The beach and viewpoint trails include steps, roots and slopes. If you or someone in your group uses a wheelchair or has limited mobility, contact the park administration before booking (Visit Costa Rica lists the park phone as +506 2777-4221) and ask which sections are suitable that day.

THE MANGROVE BOARDWALK

El Manglar: the elevated trail open to everyone

One of the park’s newest experiences is also one of its most peaceful. Universal Elevado El Manglar is a boardwalk raised above the wetland, built so that people of all abilities can travel from the entrance toward the beaches. MINAE-SINAC planned it at 784 m long and designed it under Law 7600, Costa Rica’s accessibility law; it is built of concrete, 2.4 m wide, and has ten observation areas with information on the plants and animals around you (SINAC; MINAE). SINAC’s trail map marks it with the universal-access symbol.

Walking above the mangrove gives you a different view of the forest: roots arching into dark water, crabs on the mud, herons and kingfishers fishing in the channels. It is a wonderful first stretch for anyone, and a smooth route for wheelchairs and strollers.

Tips for travelers with limited mobility

Pair El Manglar with the wide, low-difficulty El Perezoso route, which SINAC’s map rates as low difficulty.
The beach and viewpoint trails beyond include steps and slopes, so plan to enjoy the forest and the edge of the beaches.
Call the park administration before booking, as the section above suggests, to confirm conditions on the day.
Our concierge can arrange a private, unhurried guided walk and transport to the gate. Ask us for details.

SAFETY

The manzanillo tree: look, don't touch

SINAC warns that the manzanillo tree found on the beach is toxic. Its official advice: do not sit in its shade, do not touch it and do not eat its fruit. Keep a close eye on children near the beach trees.

Source: SINAC, Manuel Antonio National Park, Recommendations. Learn more about the plants of the park in our plants and rainforest guide.

RESPECT

How to be a good visitor

The animals in Manuel Antonio are used to people, and that’s the problem. When visitors feed them, monkeys and raccoons learn to raid bags and can get sick from human food. SINAC is clear: never feed wildlife, don’t interact with animals, and keep your food out of reach. A few more habits make a real difference:

Keep your distance. Give animals room, and back away if one comes toward you.
Don’t touch plants or animals, and leave shells and snails on the beach.
Stay on the trails, and don’t climb on railings or signs.
Keep noise down. You’ll see more, and so will everyone around you.
Watch your belongings. Zip your bag and never leave it unattended on the sand.
Take all your rubbish out with you.
Ask park rangers (guardaparques) if you need help. SINAC notes they wear uniforms with SINAC logos.

Sightings are never guaranteed. Animals move with the season, the weather and the time of day. Our wildlife guide explains what lives here and how to look for it well.

PHOTOS & GOOD HABITS

Photography and park etiquette from the official map

Beyond the general rules, SINAC’s trail map and the ICT park brochure add a few gentle requests that keep the park calm for animals and visitors alike. Most are about photography, so they are worth knowing before you raise your camera.

Flash off. The map asks visitors not to use flash on wildlife. Natural light gives softer, truer photos anyway.
Selfies from afar. Taking selfies with animals is not allowed. A long lens, or a guide’s scope, lets you share the moment without crowding a monkey.
No call playback. Playing recorded bird calls to attract birds is not permitted. Patience and a quiet stretch of trail work better.
Drones stay home. Drones are not permitted in the park (ICT).
Leave wheels and speakers behind. Bicycles, scooters and sound equipment are not allowed, and beach games such as soccer, volleyball and frisbee are kept for the public beaches outside (SINAC map; ICT).
Take only photos. Animals, plants, rocks and shells all stay where they are (ICT).
Use water lightly. The park asks visitors to use water sparingly (ICT).
Mind the time. A notice on the map explains that the beach sector closes at 3 p.m., so plan your last swim with time to walk back out.

Our guide to responsible wildlife watching in Manuel Antonio goes further, with tips on distance, photography and how to help the animals you meet.

PLANNING

When to go and how to get there

Best time of day

Arrive close to opening at 7:00 a.m. Mornings are cooler, animals are often more active, and the trails are calmer before the midday crowd. SINAC recommends early visits especially in September and October, the quietest and rainiest months.

Plan around Tuesday

Because the park is closed on Tuesdays, use that day for the ocean, the spa or Quepos. See our sample itineraries.

Getting to the entrance

The entrance is at the end of Route 618, about 7 km from Quepos. SINAC notes there’s no parking in the park and that the road is very busy in high season. The local bus, a taxi or a tour pickup is usually easiest. Details in getting here and getting around.

What to bring

Your ticket and the passport or ID you used to book.
Closed walking shoes. SINAC advises against sandals on forest trails.
A reusable water bottle.
Swimwear, a small towel, sun protection and insect repellent.
A light rain jacket in the green season.
Binoculars if you have them.

With children

The Perezoso trail is wide and easy, which suits young legs. Kids love looking through a guide’s scope, so a guided walk is worth it with children. Bring plenty of water and a change of clothes for after the beach. Keep the visit short: a walk, a swim, and out before the midday heat. Food isn’t allowed on the trails or beaches, so have a good breakfast before you go.

For seasonal advice, read the best time to visit Manuel Antonio.

SAMPLE HALF DAY

A perfect morning in the park, hour by hour

This is the route we suggest to most first-time visitors. It follows the animals’ rhythm, saves the swim for when you are warm from walking, and has you out before the midday heat. Times are a guide, not a schedule; let the wildlife set the pace.

Time	Where	Why then
6:30 a.m.	Early breakfast at La POZA (open from 6 a.m.) and a short ride to the entrance	Be in line with your ticket and ID as the gate opens.
7:00 a.m.	El Manglar boardwalk	Cool air, birds active over the mangrove, few people.
7:30 a.m.	El Perezoso and Paralelo al Perezoso, ideally with a guide	The best hours for sloths, monkeys and scope photos.
9:30 a.m.	Playa Manuel Antonio	A swim and snorkel toward the rocks while the bay is calm and the sand still uncrowded.
10:30 a.m.	Gemelas and Puerto Escondido, or the Punta Serrucho viewpoints for strong walkers	Quieter forest while most visitors stay on the beach.
12:00 p.m.	Back toward the exit	Leave before the hottest part of the day; the beach sector closes at 3 p.m.
Afternoon	Lunch at La POZA and a treatment at Jungle Spa	Rest, a massage after the trails, and a sunset at YOLO Social with live music.

Tips for a calmer visit

Go early, or go in the green season. SINAC notes that September and October are the park’s quietest months, and the first hour after opening is calm all year.
Choose your weekday. The park is closed on Tuesdays, and weekends and Costa Rican holidays bring more local visitors, so a Wednesday or Thursday often feels more relaxed.
Walk away from the crowd. Most people head straight for Playa Manuel Antonio; the Gemelas and Puerto Escondido trails are usually quieter.
Book everything together. Tickets sell out on busy dates. Book your park morning with our concierge, guide included, and we can line up the Jungle Spa treatment for the afternoon.

For animal activity through the day, read Manuel Antonio wildlife hour by hour. To fit the park into a longer stay, see our 1, 3 and 5-day itineraries.

STAYING NEARBY

Staying near Manuel Antonio National Park

The park opens at 7:00 a.m., and the first hours are the coolest and the best for wildlife. Staying close means you can be at the gate early without a long drive.

ECOTICA is a boutique hotel a few minutes from the park, on 10 acres of its own rainforest, so sloths, monkeys and birds are often part of breakfast. Our concierge can book a guided park walk and help you plan the day, and Jungle Spa is here for the afternoon after the trails.

See rooms and availability · Book a park tour

QUICK ANSWERS

Common questions

Is Manuel Antonio National Park open on Mondays?

Yes. According to SINAC it opens Wednesday to Monday and closes on Tuesdays.

Can I buy tickets at the entrance?

SINAC says tickets are sold only through its online services site. Book before you go.

Can I bring food?

Not in general. SINAC does not allow food or drinks except under exceptions set by the park administration, and food bought at the concession must be eaten in the designated area.

Will I see sloths and monkeys?

Many visitors do, but nobody can promise it. A guide with a scope improves your chances.

How long should I spend in the park?

Most people spend three to five hours: two or three on the trails, often with a guide, then time at a beach inside the park. If you go in at 7:00 a.m., you’ll be out before the hottest part of the day. The park closes at 3:00 p.m.

Is ECOTICA inside the park?

No. ECOTICA is a boutique hotel in Manuel Antonio a few minutes from the park, on its own 10 acres of rainforest. See our rooms, book a park tour, or go back to the travel guide.

QUICK ANSWERS

Manuel Antonio National Park: questions and answers

Is there a wheelchair-accessible trail in Manuel Antonio National Park?

Yes. SINAC’s trail map marks Universal Elevado El Manglar as universal access: an elevated concrete boardwalk 2.4 m wide over the mangrove, built under Costa Rica’s accessibility law. Call the park before your visit to confirm conditions.

Which is the hardest trail in the park?

SINAC’s map rates the Miradores Punta Serrucho trail and the Punta Catedral loop as high difficulty, both with steps. They lead to the best views of the coast and islands.

Which beach inside the park is best for snorkeling?

Playa Manuel Antonio. SINAC and the ICT both single it out, especially toward the rocky ends of the bay. See our snorkeling guide.

Is Playa Espadilla inside the park?

Playa Espadilla Sur is inside the park. Playa Espadilla Norte, the long public beach in Manuel Antonio village, is outside it and open every day from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ICT), with no ticket needed.

What is the tombolo at Punta Catedral?

A strip of sand that built up over time and joined the former island of Punta Catedral to the mainland (SINAC). It separates Playa Espadilla Sur from Playa Manuel Antonio.

Can I fly a drone in the park?

Drones are not permitted in Manuel Antonio National Park (ICT). For aerial-style views, the Punta Serrucho and Punta Catedral viewpoints are wonderful.

How many people visit Manuel Antonio National Park?

It is Costa Rica’s most visited protected area, and SINAC reported a record 436,466 visitors in 2016. Arriving at opening time is the best way to enjoy it quietly.

What time does the beach area close?

A notice on SINAC’s trail map says the beach sector closes at 3 p.m., the same time as the park. Plan your last swim with enough time to walk back to the exit.

Can I see the same animals outside the park?

Very often, yes. Monkeys, sloths, toucans and scarlet macaws live throughout the Manuel Antonio forest, and guests at ECOTICA regularly see them on the hotel’s 10-acre reserve. See wildlife where you stay.

When did Manuel Antonio become a national park?

It was first protected in 1972 as a national recreational park (Law 5100) and received national park category in 1977 under Law 6084 (SINAC). Read the full story in our history and culture guide.

KEEP EXPLORING

Keep exploring

Keep exploring: meet the park’s residents in our wildlife guide, compare every sandy cove in the best beaches in Manuel Antonio, learn the trees and flowers in plants and rainforest, and fill your Tuesday with things to do or a waterfall day trip. When you are ready, check dates and rates at ECOTICA, a few minutes from the park gate.

Come across an injured or orphaned animal on the trails? Here is who to call and how to help. For your own party, our health and safety guide lists the emergency numbers worth saving before a day in the park.

PLAN AHEAD

Arrive with everything ready

Share your travel dates and we will line up your park day, and everything around it, before you arrive:

Book your tours: Manuel Antonio National Park with a naturalist guide to point out the wildlife you would otherwise walk past, then boat trips, zip lines and rafting for the days after
Reserve Jungle Spa: after the trails and the sand, unwind with a massage, a couples treatment, a facial or a body ritual
Airport transportation: ride from San José to the gateway of the park in a private transfer, US$195 each way for up to 5 people
Concierge requests: a relaxed dinner after your park day, a celebration or any special request you have in mind
Stay at ECOTICA: check dates and rates for our bungalows and suites and make Manuel Antonio your base for park mornings

Sources for our national park guide

Photos: Mariam, Mario Spencer, Ray Bilcliff, Jos van Ouwerkerk, Koen Swiers, Veronika Andrews / Pexels.