Manuel Antonio
National park with white sand beaches and abundant wildlife.
Manuel Antonio is a short strip of Costa Rica's central Pacific where a small national park, a public beach, and a hillside hotel zone sit on top of each other. The park is the reason most people come: white-sand coves, sloths, monkeys, and a well-marked trail system that fills up fast after opening. Where you stay changes the trip. Quepos is the working town with cheaper rooms and restaurants. The hill between Quepos and the park gate has the views and the pricier hotels. Playa Espadilla and the park-adjacent zone put you on foot to the beach and the ticket line. This page is about picking that base, not collecting every hotel name.
🎯 Top Things to Do — Manuel Antonio
Enter Manuel Antonio National Park at opening to walk the main trails before the heat and tour groups
Swim at the park beaches if the water flag is green; skip it when currents pick up
Use Quepos for buses, grocery runs, and lower-cost dinners
Stay on the hill if sunset views matter more than walking to the gate
Stay near Espadilla if you want a beach day without a taxi
Book park tickets online for a morning slot and keep the afternoon for the hotel pool or Quepos
📅 Best Time to Visit
December to April is the dry, busiest window. May to November has more afternoon rain, fewer people, and lower hotel rates. Weekdays inside the park are calmer than weekends and holidays.
✈️ Getting There
From San José: 3–4 hours by shuttle, public bus via Quepos, or rental car on Route 34. The last drop-off is either Quepos or the hotels along the hill road to the park. There is no airport in Manuel Antonio; the nearest domestic option is usually SJO plus a road transfer.
💰 Average Daily Budget
Budget: $45-80/day. Mid-range: $100-180/day. Luxury hillside or beachfront stays: $250+/day. Park tickets and paid parking are extra. Restaurant prices climb as you get closer to the gate.
Use our free budget calculator →💡 Travel Tips
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Buy park tickets in advance. Same-day walk-up can sell out in high season
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Do not feed monkeys. They already work the trail and picnic areas
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The hill road is steep and poorly lit — taxis beat walking after dark
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Quepos is the better base if you also want Isla Damas mangroves or a cheaper dinner
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If you only have one full day, sleep near the park and go in at opening
🏨 Where to Stay
View All Hotels →Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo - Hyatt Luxury on the Pacific
Experience Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo. Hyatt luxury, pristine beaches, world-class dining, and jungle adventures in Guanacaste.
Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort - Five-Star Manuel Antonio
Experience Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Private beach, rainforest setting, and five-star luxury.
Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort
Boutique eco-lodge and coffee plantation nestled in the hills of Heredia, offering an intimate luxury experience near San José
Hotel Punta Islita - Art-Infused Luxury on Guanacaste's Secluded Coast
Discover Hotel Punta Islita, a 5-star Autograph Collection resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Infinity pool, art village, beach club & canopy tours.