Quepos is the closest main town and usually the cheaper place to stay. If you’re on a tight budget, it can make sense. That said, I still recommend staying in Manuel Antonio itself, even though there isn’t much to see or do there.

There’s a small town called Manuel Antonio, and that’s where the park entrance is. The town is quiet and compact, but it feels more relaxed than Quepos. For me, staying here made the whole experience calmer and easier, especially early in the morning.

Staying one night in Manuel Antonio or even Quepos makes the visit much easier. A few hotels are within walking distance of the entrance, which really helps since parking near the park isn’t simple.

I stayed at El Faro Containers Beach Hotel, and being so close meant we got to the entrance quickly and without stress.

The Manuel Antonio bus runs along Route 618 between Quepos and the park area about every 30 minutes. Stay on the bus until the last stop. This stop is near Playa Espadilla Norte, not directly at the park entrance.

From there, walk along a short road called Beach Trail to reach the entrance. You can find it easily on Google Maps. The walk is short and flat.

Bus fares are affordable, and this is a solid option if you don’t plan to drive.

Another easy option is booking a guided visit that includes transportation from your hotel. This works well if you don’t want to deal with parking or logistics. I recommend this tour to Manuel Antonio.

If you’re visiting by car, this is really your only option. Arrive early and aim to park as close to the entrance as possible. One of the closest car parks to the entrance is this one, which can save you a longer walk in the heat.

Parking prices vary, but you can usually expect to pay around 10 USD / ~8.5€ for a full day. Payment is typically in cash, so make sure you have small bills with you.

Arriving early makes a big difference. You’ll have more choices, park closer, and avoid the stress of driving up and down the road. This is also why staying nearby the night before helps so much.

Don’t leave valuables in the car. Lock the doors and keep bags out of sight. While parking felt generally safe in Costa Rica and Manuel Antonio, basic precautions are always important.

You’ll likely be stopped on the road by people trying to direct you to their parking lots, often far from the entrance. Ignore them and keep driving. Some may also try to sell tours or tell you tickets are sold out. You don’t need to accept anything.

Parking stress is one of the main reasons I recommend staying close to the park. I stayed at El Faro Containers Beach Hotel, and being so close meant we reached the entrance quickly and avoided all the hassle.

While it’s technically possible to enter later, it doesn’t make much sense to arrive after 12 pm. You’ll feel rushed, miss out on some trails, and won’t really enjoy the beaches.

The park is absolutely worth a full day, but it also closes quite early. Because of that, most visitors arrive in the first hours of the morning. We entered at 7.40 am, and there was already a noticeable queue.

The park is closed on Tuesdays, so you’ll need to plan your visit around that. Always double-check the calendar before booking tickets, especially if your Costa Rica itinerary is tight.

Opening hours also affect wildlife spotting. Early mornings are cooler, animals are more active, and the park feels completely different. The same goes for the beaches. Arriving early means calm water, fewer people, and a much more relaxed experience. A few hours later, crowds build up fast.

Tickets are sold with timed entry slots. The first entry slot runs from 7 am to 7.40 am, and the last slot is from 1 pm to 2.30 pm. I don’t recommend the last slot at all, since you won’t have enough time inside. When you book a slot, you can enter at any point during that window, but don’t arrive late. I’ve heard of people being denied entry for missing their time.

If there’s one simple rule here, it’s this. Get there as early as you can. It makes the whole visit better.

The park opens at 7 am, and arriving early gives you several advantages. You’ll have higher chances of spotting wildlife, trails feel calmer, and the temperatures are more manageable. Even if your main goal is beach time, mornings feel completely different.

Heat and humidity are no joke here. To really enjoy the park, you’ll end up doing some walking, even if you take it slow. Starting early makes hiking far more comfortable, especially before the sun gets strong.

Beaches are indeed quieter in the morning, but the entrance can already feel busy. I arrived around 7.40 am, and there was already a decent line to get in. Still, once inside, the experience was much better than later in the day.

The rainy season runs from May to November. You’ll see fewer visitors, but rain is more likely, especially in the afternoons. Some days are still great, though, and mornings can be surprisingly clear.

Average temperatures stay fairly consistent year-round. Expect around 26°C to 30°C (79°F to 86°F) during the day, with high humidity making it feel warmer.

I visited in early December, right during the transition between seasons. The night before our visit, it rained heavily for a few hours. The next day, though, the weather was fantastic. That’s the reality here. Timing helps, but a bit of luck always plays a role.

Visiting with a guide has one big advantage: wildlife spotting. This is where guides really add value.

Many guides have years of experience finding animals, and they usually carry spotting scopes or binoculars that make a huge difference. If seeing animals is your top priority, a guided tour makes things much easier. This tour already includes the entrance ticket.

Also, when booking tours, check if the entrance ticket is included. Many tours don’t include it, and you’ll need to book your park ticket separately.

Visiting without a guide also works. You’ll still have chances of seeing animals, especially monkeys and iguanas. Other animals might be harder to spot (sloths, for example).

However, without a guide, you’ll have more freedom. You can explore the trails at your own pace and spend more time on the beaches, which are honestly one of the highlights of the park.

I decided not to book a guide here. Costa Rica isn’t cheap, and I had already done two guided tours elsewhere, a night tour in Tortuguero and another in Monteverde. We got lucky with wildlife, especially sloths. Another group spotted them high up in a tree, and we were able to see them too. That said, it really was luck.

Sloths were the highlight for me. We saw them from a distance, but it was still unforgettable. At one point, we spotted a mother sloth holding her baby high up in a tree. Even far away, that moment alone made the visit worth it.

Monkeys are everywhere. You can usually see white-faced capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and howler monkeys. Capuchins are the most active and curious. Howler monkeys are harder to spot but easy to hear. Their calls echo through the forest and I must admit it’s quite funny.

Iguanas are almost impossible to miss. You’ll often see them resting near trails or close to the beaches. Some are huge and completely unfazed by people walking past.

Bird life is also impressive, even if you’re not a bird expert. I saw several colorful birds along the trails, especially in quieter areas of the park.

Near the beaches, keep an eye on the ground. Crabs move fast and are easy to overlook. Agoutis are another common sight. They look a bit like large rodents and tend to dart across paths when it’s quieter.

There are bathrooms spread throughout the park, including near the main trails and beach areas. Changing rooms are also available, which makes it easy to switch between hiking and beach time.

One thing that really stood out is how strict the park is with food. You’re not allowed to bring any food inside, and bags are checked at the entrance. This was the most restrictive park we visited in Costa Rica in that sense. If you’re spending the day here, the cafeteria in the middle of the park is your main option for lunch.

All food bought at the cafeteria must be eaten there. This rule helps prevent animals from accessing human food. The menu is simple. They sell sandwiches, pizza, and other quick meals. Still, prices weren’t as high as I expected, especially considering it’s the only place to eat inside the park.

Because most people spend the whole day here, the cafeteria gets busy around lunchtime. Expect longer lines if you go between late morning and early afternoon. Eating a bit earlier or later can save you time.

Drinking water is available inside the park, which is a big plus given the heat and humidity.

You’ll be walking several trails, stopping to spot wildlife, and spending time at the beaches. Having enough time makes the experience much more relaxed.

Arrive as early as possible. The park opens at 7 am, and I strongly recommend booking the first entry slot, from 7 am to 7.40 am. Early entry gives you cooler temperatures, fewer people, and more energy to enjoy everything.

As a reference, I spent around 6 hours inside the park, and it felt like the right amount of time. I didn’t rush around and had time for trails and beaches.

Tickets can only be purchased through the official SINAC website.

You’ll need to create an account on the SINAC website before buying tickets, so don’t leave this for the last minute.

Tickets are valid for one day only.

When buying tickets, you’ll also need to choose an entry time slot. The first slot runs from 7 am to 7.40 am, and the last slot is from 1 pm to 2.30 pm. I don’t recommend the last slot, since you won’t have much time inside before the park closes.

If you’re booking a guided tour, always confirm whether the entrance ticket is included. Some tours include it, while others require you to purchase the ticket separately.

Dress for that. Lightweight, breathable clothing makes a huge difference, especially if you plan to walk several trails.

For footwear, even though there are beaches, you’ll still be walking on dirt paths and forest trails. Comfortable sneakers are perfect. You don’t need hiking boots. Just avoid flip-flops if you plan to explore more than the beaches.

Single use plastics are also banned. This includes plastic bags and disposable bottles. I had read online that this rule existed in other parks, but this was the only place where checks were done seriously.

Cigarettes are not allowed, and drones are also prohibited inside the park.

When you buy your ticket online, you’ll receive a list of items you’re not allowed to bring. Read it carefully and plan ahead. It’ll save you time and frustration at the entrance.

When you stay nearby, you avoid early drives, parking stress, and rushing to make your entry slot. It also means you can arrive calmer and with more energy.

You don’t need to hike everything, but because the park is small, it’s realistic to cover most trails in one day. Hiking here is less about distance and more about scenery and wildlife.

Most trails are flat and connected. The main exception is the Mirador trail, which is a bit harder due to elevation.

Also note that some trails may close depending on conditions. When I visited, the Puerto Escondido trail was closed. Always check signage at the entrance.

To help you plan your visit, here’s a map of Manuel Antonio National Park, which helps to understand the trails:

Continue on the Access Road, connect to Sendero El Manglar without turning toward the beach, then move on to Sendero Perezoso. From there, hike Punta Catedral for the views. After that, head to Playa Manuel Antonio for a swim and some rest.

Later, have lunch at the cafeteria, cross to Playa Espadilla Sur if you want and head back toward the entrance via the Playa Espadilla Sur trail, reconnecting with the Manglar trail.

One last tip. If you book a guided tour, try to schedule it as early as possible. Most tours cover the Access Road, Manglar trail, and Perezoso trail. That works well, since you can then explore beaches and additional trails on your own afterward.

Swimming conditions vary. Playa Manuel Antonio is the best option for bathing, while Playa Espadilla Sur has stronger currents and is not the safest place to swim.

The water is usually calm and great for swimming. It’s also the closest beach to the main trails, so it’s easy to combine with hiking.

One thing to watch out for here is monkeys. Don’t leave your belongings unattended, as they’re quick and curious.

That said, currents here are stronger, and it’s not the best spot for swimming. You can only access the beach at the beginning or end of the trail, not halfway through, so plan accordingly.

It’s a good option for a short swim break or a quieter stop if Playa Manuel Antonio feels too busy.

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