Manuel Antonio is the small town on the Central Pacific coast south of Quepos, where the national park of the same name begins, approximately 157 road kilometers from San José.
Manuel Antonio is the small town on the Central Pacific coast south of Quepos, where the national park of the same name begins, approximately 157 road kilometers from San José. You come for the park, where rainforest borders directly on bright sandy coves and sloths, capuchin monkeys, and squirrel monkeys are often seen up close.The national park, founded in 1972, covers almost 2,000 hectares of land and a significantly larger marine area. Although it is one of the smallest national parks in the country, it attracts the most visitors: Between 2012 and 2022, approximately 4.4 million people visited. Four beaches are located within the park, including Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur, separated by a land bridge leading to the rock formation Punta Catedral.The town itself consists of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators along the winding road that leads from Quepos over the hill down to Playa Espadilla. You can visit the public Playa Espadilla in front of the park entrance without a ticket.Important for planning: The park is closed on Tuesdays and otherwise open from 7 AM to 4 PM; the beaches within the park close an hour earlier. Tickets are available exclusively online through the SINAC national park authority system and not at the entrance; they are limited and often sell out early on many days.
Sights in Manuel Antonio
Discover the most important sights and attractions
1Playa Manuel Antonio
The smaller of the park's two main bays is located at the end of the main trail. The water here is usually calmer than at the open beaches, though the bottom is rocky in some spots. Capuchin monkeys are often found in the trees by the beach; do not leave bags unattended. The park's beaches close an hour before the park itself.
Founded in 1972, the park combines coastal rainforest with four beaches and is Costa Rica's most visited national park. The main trail is approximately 2.2 kilometers long, largely flat, and leads to Playa Manuel Antonio; in total there are about 8 kilometers of trails, some of which are temporarily closed. Closed on Tuesdays; open otherwise from 7 AM to 4 PM; tickets are only available online via SINAC, not at the entrance. Food is not allowed, and bags are checked.
Small, sheltered bay outside the National Park, no ticket required. A roughly ten-minute path descends from the road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The water is usually calm and clear, ideal for snorkeling; kayaks are available for rent on site.
The wide Espadilla Sur beach in the park connects via a narrow sand strip (a tombolo) to the rocky Punta Catedral headland. The 100m-high hill's circular path is short but steep, with many steps, offering coastal and offshore island views. The path was reportedly temporarily closed in Oct 2026; check status on site.
Protected Area Under PressureManuel Antonio exemplifies the conflict between nature conservation and tourism. To limit the strain, visitor numbers are capped, single-use plastic is banned, and bags are checked at the entrance. Food is not allowed, only water in reusable bottles; feeding or approaching animals is prohibited.Guided ExplorationMany visitors book a certified nature guide with a spotting scope, who spots sloths, snakes, or frogs in the foliage that you might easily overlook alone. Check if the entrance ticket is included in the tour price. The park is home to three monkey species: Mantled Howler Monkeys, Capuchin Monkeys, and the endangered Central American Squirrel Monkeys.
Getting There & Around
Getting ThereFrom San José, drive via Route 27 and coastal Route 34 to Quepos; the journey takes about two and a half to three hours by car. Buses from San José go to Quepos; from there, you continue by local bus. Domestic flights land at La Managua airstrip near Quepos; flight time from San José is about half an hour.Getting AroundFrom Quepos bus station, a bus runs approximately every half hour during the day via the hill road to Manuel Antonio; the journey takes about 25 minutes. It stops at marked stops near hotels and terminates at Playa Espadilla, a two-minute walk from the park entrance. Taxis do not have a meter; agree on the price beforehand. Inside the park itself, you get around on foot.
