As part of a tour to Costa Rica, I recently visited Manuel Antonio National Park, located along the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio National Park is a popular tropical paradise known for its coved beaches, rainforest and diversity of wildlife. Manuel Antonio is the most visited national park in the country. The area also provides opportunities for water sports, good dining and other adventures.
The Manuel Antonio region of Costa Rica is warmer and sunnier than the central or northern parts of the country, with temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to low 90s. The dry season lasts between December and April.
Manuel Antonio is an approximately three (by car) to four (by bus) hour drive south of San Jose. There are shuttle vans and buses that operate between San Jose and Manuel Antonio. There is also a small airport in the nearby town of Quepos, with flights from San Jose. More information on getting to Manuel Antonio can be found here.
The town of Quepos is the gateway to Manuel Antonio. Hotels, restaurants and shopping can be found within the town and along Highway 618 between Quepos and the park. We stayed at Hotel Villas Lirio, a mid-range hotel half-way between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The hotel offers two pools, a restaurant and bar.
There are multiple ways to get between Quepos, the many hotels along Highway 618 and Manuel Antonio National Park. Official taxis have a yellow sign, and the one-way fare is less than ten dollars. Public buses travel between Quepos and the park between 6am and 9pm. The frequency depends upon the time of day, but generally every 30 minutes, and the cost is less than a dollar each way. More information on the bus and taxis can be found here.
Attractions and Things to Do
Manuel Antonio National Park – This popular park is home to mangroves and a rainforest teeming with wildlife, and with miles of trails, and three beaches. Throughout the park, visitors are likely to come across monkeys, including Capuchin, Howler, and Squirrel monkeys. Other animals include deer, sloths, iguanas, and agoutis.
Beaches are located on each side of a hammer shaped peninsula, including Espadilla South Beach, and Manuel Antonio Beach. Both are some of the prettiest beaches I’ve visted. Each are formed by a cove of teal colored water, lined with fine white sand and swaying palm trees. Escondido Beach is along a larger bay on the southern end of the park. I like my ocean water warm, and the Manuel Antonio beaches don’t disappoint. While I stayed for two hours, I could have spent the entire day bathing in the water.
The main trail within the park is an easy 1.3 mile flat walk that loops through the forest and along Espadilla South Beach. Another more strenuous trail climbs to the top of the hammerhead peninsular offering nice views of the Pacific.
The park is open year round, every day except Tuesdays, between 7am and 4pm. Tickets for guided tours can be purchased online, or through a tour agency. No food or plastic bottles are allowed within the park. Various tours of Manuel Antonio can be arranged by Viator.
Espadilla North Beach – Near the entrance to the park is Espadilla North Beach, popular with surfers. This free public beach can be accessed without entering the national park. Other activities available for a price at the beach include parasailing, banana boats, and surf rentals. There are a number of vendors, restaurants and bars easily accessible from the beach. Espadilla North Beach faces the west, and is a great spot for watching sunset. Free parking can be found along the main road, highway 618. Unofficial parking attendants will ask for a few dollars to watch your car.
Catamaran Tours – Another fun way to spend a day in Manuel Antonio is aboard a catamaran boat. Tours last several hours, and include lunch, drinks (including alcohol), dolphin watching, and snorkeling. Both morning and afternoon tours offering the sunset are available. We were very lucky to see plenty of dolphins playing along side the boat. The snorkeling offered plenty of colorful tropical fish. The tours leave from Marina Pez Vela.
Dining
There are plenty of good restaurants in the vicinity of Manuel Antonio National Park. Below are a few that we tried and enjoyed, all along Highway 618.
El Avion – This fun, unique restaurant offers sunset views and a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane that is converted to a pub. The restaurant specializes in seafood, but also has plenty of grilled items, burgers, pasta and salads.
El Wagon – This restaurant specializes in wood fired pizza, but also has burgers, wraps, pasta, salads and more.
Manuel Antonio Falafel Bar – As the name suggests, this restaurant specializes in falafel, but also has pita sandwiches such as shawarma. A salad bar offers plenty of fresh and delicious toppings to add to your falafel or sandwich.
El Lagarto – This restaurant specializes in grilled barbecue meats, seafood and vegetables and offers a fantastic sunset view.
