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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Manuel Antonio National Park Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
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Suited for
Costa Rica – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Costa Rican Colón (CRC) £1 ≈ CRC 605.44 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Costa Rica has a well-developed cashless payment system, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. However, it is still useful to carry cash in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often included, but it is common to leave an additional tip of 5-10%. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not commonly allowed in Costa Rica. Alcohol consumption is generally confined to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and resorts. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and enclosed areas, including restaurants and public transport. |
| Independence Day (15 September) |
National holiday with celebrations and parades |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
Family-centred celebration |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber |
| Other: | Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, eco-tourism, and commitment to environmental conservation. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure travellers. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Park closed on Mondays and daily visitor numbers are capped, so book tickets ahead in dry season
Christmas to New Year and Holy Week are the busiest times, with hotels booked out months ahead
Dry season runs December to April, green season May to November with the heaviest rain in September and October
Don't miss
- 🐒 Hike jungle trails filled with monkeys and sloths
- 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Playa Manuel Antonio
- 🦜 Spot toucans, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds
- 🤿 Snorkel in crystal-clear Caribbean waters near the coast
- 🌅 Watch a vibrant Pacific sunset over the rainforest canopy
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Manuel Antonio National Park?
This park packs a lot into a small area – dense rainforests filled with sloths, monkeys and colorful birds, plus some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. The hiking trails are relatively easy, making it accessible to most visitors and the ocean views from the cliffs are breathtaking. It’s a fantastic place to experience both jungle and beach in one trip. However, it does get crowded, especially during peak season and wildlife can be cheeky – monkeys and raccoons often steal food if you’re not careful! Also, the entrance fee and tour prices are higher than in other national parks in Costa Rica.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Quepos Carnival
-
Envision Festival (nearby)
-
Costa Rica Independence Day Celebrations
-
Christmas & New Year's Beach Parties
-
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
-
Dorado Derby Fishing Tournament
-
Whale Watching Season (August–October)
-
Quepos Fishing Tournaments
-
Manuel Antonio Triathlon
-
Costa Rica Bird Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Book tickets online and arrive early to avoid crowds.
- Park is closed on Tuesdays; plan your visit for Wednesday to Monday.
- Bring binoculars and a camera for wildlife spotting; monkeys and sloths are common.
- Use only certified guides for tours and keep food secured to avoid monkey theft.
How to travel to Manuel Antonio National Park
The closest airport is Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP), with domestic flights from San José. Most travelers take a shuttle, private car or public bus from San José (about 3–4 hours). Buses run frequently from San José’s Tracopa Terminal.
Access summary
- From San José (SJO): Shuttle or drive via Quepos, about 3 hours.
- From Quepos: Short taxi or local bus to park entrance, around 15–20 minutes.
- From Quepos airstrip: Domestic flight from San José, then quick taxi to park.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Manuel Antonio National Park
Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to luxury resorts, with many boutique hotels offering ocean views. Staying in Manuel Antonio offers convenience, while Quepos has more budget-friendly options and local charm.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Manuel Antonio National Park
The park is compact and most places can be explored on foot. Public buses run frequently between Quepos and Manuel Antonio Beach. Taxis and tuk-tuks are available, but they can be pricey. Rental cars are useful for exploring nearby areas but not needed within the park.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 52% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to CRC) is 24% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for Cartago, Costa Rica - 60 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Manuel Antonio is generally safe, but petty theft can happen – watch your belongings, especially on beaches. Avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas. Wildlife, especially monkeys, can steal food.
Health & Medical
Medical care in Manuel Antonio is decent, with clinics in Quepos. For serious issues, San José offers better facilities. Mosquitoes can carry dengue, so use repellent. Stay hydrated in the heat.
Accessibility
The park has some accessible trails, but most paths are uneven or involve steps. Beach access is difficult for wheelchairs. Public transport and taxis help, but terrain can be challenging.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is recommended for sensitive stomachs. Many hotels and restaurants provide filtered water refills.
Packing recommendations for Manuel Antonio National Park
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Walking boots
📷
Camera
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🍫
Energy snacks
🧥
Waterproof jacket
for the wet season
🕶️
Sunglasses
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🗺️
Map or GPS device
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📱
Waterproof phone case
👒
Sun hat
💦
Waterproof dry bag
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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