For Manuel Antonio, pack light: breathable clothes, swimwear, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and your passport for the national park gate. From May to November, add a light rain jacket, quick-dry layers and shoes that can get wet. It is warm every month of the year, so the season changes what you carry for the rain, not for the cold.
One of the questions we hear most before guests arrive is “What should I bring?” The honest answer is less than you think. Days here run from about 30 to 32 °C (86 to 90 °F) and nights rarely dip below 22 °C (72 °F), all year long. The real variable is rain, so before you start folding, take a look at our Manuel Antonio weather guide, month by month. Then use this list to fill the suitcase.
The year-round basics
Whatever the month, these come with you:
- Light, breathable clothing. Cotton, linen or technical fabrics that dry quickly. Think shorts, sundresses, light shirts.
- Two swimsuits. One drying while you wear the other, because you will be in the water every day.
- Sun protection. A hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.
- A reusable water bottle. Single-use plastics are not allowed in Manuel Antonio National Park, and there are refill fountains inside.
- Your passport or ID. You show it at the park entrance together with your reservation number.
- Comfortable walking shoes plus sandals for the beach and the pool.
- Workout clothes if you like to keep your routine: there is a gym on site.
Dry season: December to April
These are the sunniest months, and February is the driest of all, with only about 26 mm (1 in) of rain on average. Sun is the main thing to plan for. Pack more sunscreen than seems reasonable, a wide-brimmed hat, and a long-sleeved light shirt for boat trips and long hours outdoors. A light cover-up for the walk from beach to lunch is a pleasure to have.
December and April are the shoulder months: they can bring the occasional shower, so slip a compact rain jacket into the bag just in case. This is also high season, so book your park tickets early with our park tickets and hours guide.
Green season: May to November
From May the rains return and the forest turns an almost unreal shade of green. September and October are the wettest months. Mornings are often bright, with rain more likely later in the day, so the packing list shifts toward staying comfortable when the sky opens:
- A light rain jacket or poncho. It is too warm for anything heavy. A thin, packable shell is perfect.
- Quick-dry everything. Humidity is high, and cotton takes its time to dry.
- Shoes that can get wet. Sport sandals with a good grip or light trail shoes work well on damp paths.
- A dry bag or zip pouches for your phone, passport and camera on tours and park walks.
- A good book for an afternoon listening to the rain.
Your national park day
The park has clear rules, and they shape what goes in your day pack. Food and drinks are not allowed on the trails or beaches (water in a reusable bottle is fine), and neither are single-use plastics, alcohol, speakers, drones, beach chairs or umbrellas. Pack light:
- Passport or ID and your SINAC reservation number
- A refillable water bottle
- Swimwear under your clothes, a light towel and sunscreen
- Closed shoes or good sandals for the trails
- Binoculars if you have them, and a rain jacket in the green season
The park opens at 7 am, Wednesday to Monday, and is closed on Tuesdays. Early is best: it is cooler and the animals are more active. Our post on your first morning in Manuel Antonio National Park walks you through it.
Beach days
The water is warm all year, around 28 to 30 °C (82 to 86 °F), so a wetsuit can stay at home. Bring a towel, a hat and water. If you plan to visit Playa Biesanz, wear proper shoes: the forest path down is steep in places, and since it has no lights, aim to head back up before dark. Leave valuables at the hotel and keep an eye on your things on any beach.
Evenings at La POZA and YOLO Social
Evenings in Manuel Antonio are relaxed and warm. A linen shirt, a light dress or something easy and pretty is all you need for dinner by the pool at La POZA, or for a night of live music at YOLO Social, with live music every night. A light layer is nice to have for breezy nights, and a little insect repellent helps at dusk in the forest.
What you can leave at home
Staying at ECOTICA, a boutique hotel in Manuel Antonio on its own 10-acre private rainforest reserve, a few things simply take care of themselves:
- Breakfast snacks. Breakfast is included every morning at La POZA, which opens at 6 am, early enough for a 7 am park start.
- A rental car for the airport run. Our private shuttle runs between San José and Manuel Antonio for US$195 each way, for up to 5 people. If you do drive, parking is free.
- A stack of tour printouts. Our concierge books the park with a naturalist guide, boat and catamaran trips, zip lining, rafting and more.
- Gear the park will not let in. Drones, speakers, beach chairs and umbrellas are not allowed inside, so there is no need to bring them for your park day.
And save a little space in your plans, not your suitcase, for the Jungle Spa, open daily from 7 am to 7 pm. On a rainy afternoon there is no better place to be.
Still deciding when to come? Read the best time to visit Manuel Antonio, and check the monthly rain and temperature table in our Manuel Antonio weather guide before you zip the bag.
Packing questions
Do I need a jacket in Manuel Antonio?
Not for warmth. Nights stay around 22 to 23 °C (72 to 74 °F). A light rain jacket is useful from May to November, and a thin layer is nice for breezy evenings.
What shoes should I bring to Manuel Antonio?
Comfortable walking shoes or sport sandals with grip for the park trails and beach paths, plus flip-flops or sandals for the pool. In the green season, choose shoes that can get wet.
Can I bring food and drinks into Manuel Antonio National Park?
No food or drinks are allowed on the trails or beaches, apart from water in a reusable bottle. Single-use plastics and alcohol are not permitted. Food may be eaten only at the café area inside the park.
What should I pack for the rainy season in Manuel Antonio?
A light rain jacket or poncho, quick-dry clothes, shoes that can get wet and a dry bag for your phone and passport. It stays warm, so skip heavy layers.
Your suitcase is ready, and the forest is waiting. Ask our team to arrange your park visit and other adventures through the tours form, book your airport shuttle, or check availability for your stay at ECOTICA.
