Manuel Antonio National Park

Entrance fee: $16 per person (better to take entry pass online if you are not doing guided tour) or get a guided tour.

Guided tour: There is private guided tour and also group guided tour. Don’t book online that shows $60 per person. That’s insanely high rate. You will easily get private guided tour for $30-40 for a couple with some bargaining. A group guided tour can be obtained for $30 or less with some bargaining too. While you park the car in the parking lot mentioned below, locals will approach you for guided yours. Put your bargaining skills to good use to get a good deal. Guides know where to spot the birds and small animals. They also have a telescope which can be useful to observe animals far away. Remember to bring cash (either colones or USD) currency for this.

Parking: There is parking just next to the national park (within 0.1 miles) for $5 (cash only). As you approach the national park, there are some other parking lots managed by the locals. They will try to force you into parking over there. Don’t fall into this trap. Just keep going forward, and eventually you will find reach the above mentioned parking.

 

Things to do

  • Nature trail to observe Monkeys (howler monkeys, cappuccino monkeys), sloths, birds, lizards, crabs. It’s a short walk of less than 1km with the guide.
  • Guide leaves you at the beginning of beach side. From there, you can go to different beaches like Manuel Antonio beach, Las Gemelas beach, Playa Espadilla, Playa Escondido beach. Our recommendation is to go to Manuel Antonio beach and chill there. On your return path, complete the loop by going to Playa Espadilla beach and then return to the entrance through mangrove forests.
  • MA National park doesn’t allow you to carry plastic water bottles or food items. A regular water bottle is allowed though. Large food items are also not allowed. You can carry snacks like energy bars, protein bars etc.
  • Once you exit the park, the entry pass is void. It’s a one time entry pass. 
  • Time to spend: 1 hour for guided tour and as many as you want in the beach.