Manuel Antonio National Park is a stunning nature reserve located in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, known for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife. It was established in 1972 and covers an area of 16.24 square kilometers, making it one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica. Despite its size, the park is considered one of the most biodiverse areas in the country, home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, and parrots.
The park’s rugged coastline features several white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rocky outcroppings that offer visitors unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. Inland, dense tropical forests and mangroves provide habitats for a diverse range of animal species, and the park’s many hiking trails offer visitors the opportunity to explore this unique ecosystem up close.
Trails in Manuel Antonio:
Manuel Antonio National Park has several trails that offer visitors the chance to explore the park’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The most popular trail is the 1.3 km long Punta Catedral trail, which winds through the rainforest and offers stunning views of the ocean and surrounding coastline. The trail is moderately challenging, with steep sections and narrow paths, but is accessible to most visitors. Other trails in the park include the Mirador trail, which leads to a viewpoint overlooking the ocean and offers a chance to spot monkeys and sloths along the way, and the Sendero El Perezoso, or Sloth Trail, which is known for its abundance of wildlife, including howler monkeys, anteaters, and, of course, sloths.
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Plan your visit
Hours and Entrance fee:
The park is open every day except on Tuesdays, from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm throughout the year. It’s recommended to arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and make the most of your visit. The entrance fee for Manuel Antonio National Park is $16 USD for non-resident adults and $5 USD or non-resident children. For residents and nationals the fee is ¢1600 colones and ¢500 colones for children. You can only purchase the tickets online in the SINAC official website.
How to get there:
Manuel Antonio National Park is easily accessible from the nearby town of Quepos, which is located approximately 7 km to the north. Visitors can reach the park by car, taxi, or bus, with regular bus services running from Quepos to the park entrance throughout the day. Quepos is a nice thriving touristy town with many affordable stay options ranging from hotels to lodges, and even hostels for those with a low budget.
Bus options from San Jose:
The only company that offers direct buses to Manuel Antonio from San Jose is Tracopa. Tel.: 2221-4214. The journey takes about 3 hours and its a direct service. The price of the ticket is $8.6 USD.
Departure time options from San Jose: 6am, 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, 1:15pm, 2:30pm, 4:45pm, 6:00pm, 7:30pm
Return time options: 3:45am, 4am, 6am, 7:30am, 9:30am, 12pm, 1pm, 2:30pm, 5pm
