The Guide To Manuel Antonio National Park

Hola 👋

Manuel Antonio National Park is a special place in Costa Rica, but it may frustrate you if you’re not prepared. For example… buy your entry tickets before you get there! It’s all digital now unless you’ve pre-booked a tour. This Pacific Coast park is full of natural beauty and wildlife. Despite being one of the smallest national parks in the country, This guide will cover what you need to know for a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. Let’s go!

Getting to the Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is about 3 to 3.5 hours by car from San José. The most popular route is via Route 34, which is an easy and scenic drive along the coastline. Don’t forget this wireless phone charger if you’re using a navigation app the whole time. Google Maps and Waze work best but they’ll drain your battery if left on for the whole drive.

👉 Don’t miss our guide to renting a car in Costa Rica

Tickets and Parking

Entrance tickets for Manuel Antonio National Park must be purchased online in advance through the official SINAC system. You cannot buy tickets at the gate. When booking, you’ll need to enter your passport number for registration. Save yourself the stress and purchase your tickets before arriving. The park staff strictly enforce the online system, and attempting to buy tickets on site can turn into a frustrating experience, assuming tickets are still available for that time slot.

If you’re booking a guided tour, confirm whether the entrance fee is included. Some tours bundle the park ticket with the guide service, while others require you to purchase the entry separately.

You can purchase official self guided tickets here.

There is no official national park parking lot at Manuel Antonio. As you approach the entrance, you’ll encounter numerous individuals wearing official looking vests trying to wave you into private parking areas. These are not park employees. Private parking lots near the entrance typically charge between ₡4000 and ₡5000 for the day. Choose a clearly marked lot near the park entrance and ignore aggressive attempts to redirect you farther away. We’ve had people step into the road in blue vests trying to flag us down. Stay calm and continue driving until you reach the main entrance area.

Be cautious of anyone attempting to bundle overpriced parking, “mandatory” guide services, or last minute tickets. If you’ve purchased your ticket online and know where you’re going, the process is straightforward. Arrive early, park confidently, and head straight to the official entrance.

Exploring the Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is open year-round, except on Tuesdays (as of May 2025). The high season, from December to April, offers sunny skies and drier weather, making it an excellent time to visit. The green season, from May to November, is characterized by afternoon rain showers. The crowds are less and we love the evening thunderstorms after a long day at the beach. It’s actually our favorite time to visit Costa Rica and we’ve been nearly every May and September for the last few years.

The park is home to some of Costa Rica’s most stunning beaches, including Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur. It’s a bold statement and not sure if I agree, but Playa Manuel Antonio has been rated one of the top beaches in the WORLD. Playa Espadilla Sur is our favorite because it’s normally much quieter. The steep sand bank lets us sit on the shore and listen to the surf crash in front of us.

These idyllic white-sand beaches, bordered by dense jungle, provide a perfect backdrop for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing pura vida style. We always pack a microfiber towel like this in our day bag to dry off quickly after a swim.

The park offers several well-maintained hiking trails that cater to various adventure levels. The main trail, almost a mile path, is an easy hike that connects the park’s primary beaches and offers several viewpoints. For more adventurous travelers, the Sendero Perezoso trail offers a moderate hike with more to see.

Wildlife and Birdwatching

Manuel Antonio National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts with over 100 mammal species and nearly 200 bird species. Among the park’s most iconic inhabitants are white-faced capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys (my favorite), sloths, and a variety of colorful birds. To increase your chances of spotting wildlife, consider hiring a local guide. They can help you navigate the trails and spot some hard-to-find animals. Don’t forget binoculars like these that attach to your phone so you can get some good pictures of the animals like this baby sloth 😍.

Travel tips for Manuel Antonio

Purchase tickets in advance

Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY, and you’ll have to use the computers at the park entrance if you don’t get them before, if tickets are even still available. You can get them here from the national park site.

Stay on marked trails

To protect the park’s delicate ecosystems and to keep safe, always stay on designated paths and avoid venturing off-trail.

Respect the wildlife

Keep a safe distance from animals, and NEVER feed them. The white-faced monkeys in the park are now accustomed to being fed by visitors at the snack stand. They can get aggressive, so keep your distance.

Bring the essentials

Pack reef-safe sunscreen, non-deet insect repellent, water, and snacks for your visit. Aside from a small cafe and market, there are no food or drink vendors inside the park, so come prepared. Check out our full packing list here!

Don’t Forget

You can buy almost anything you need in the area, but the prices of some items may surprise you. Sunscreen can cost upwards of $20 USD for a normal size tube at the local market. Some of our don’t forget items are listed below.

Sunscreen – Reapply all day when you’re outside. The sun is no joke here!
Bug Spray – Bugs are minimal in the day but mosquitoes often come out in the evening.
Quick-dry towel – These quick-dry towels are also sand free.
Waterproof hat – I like this floating hat, but anythig works.
Polarized sunglasses – They don’t have to break the bank. Check out these polarized sunglasses by Blenders.
Waterproof phone case – Great if you’re going to be on the ocean.

Let’s go!

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most wildlife dense and visually stunning parks in Costa Rica. From white faced capuchin monkeys and sloths to jungle trails, it’s easy to see why this park consistently ranks among the country’s most visited destinations. It’s also what makes it a little chaotic at times! The biggest mistake you can make? Not bringing a swimsuit. The beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park are calm, swimmable, and absolutely worth carving out time for after your hike.

If you’re building a multi-stop Costa Rica itinerary, Manuel Antonio pairs well with destinations like La Fortuna for volcano adventures, or beach towns in Guanacaste such as Playa Flamingo for a different coastal experience. For travelers exploring the Caribbean side, parks like Cahuita National Park offer another unique wildlife and beach combination.

Staying in the area? Don’t miss our full Ultimate Guide to Manuel Antonio for lodging, restaurants, and activity recommendations. If you’re traveling through Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park deserves a place on your list.