Things To Do
Manuel Antonio National Park
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, but one of the most popular. Visitors come to catch a glimpse of Capuchin, Howler, and Squirrel Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, agoutis, and hundreds of species of birds before hitting one of the park’s beautiful beaches. In a recent attempt to curb visitor influence on the park’s ecological balance, the Costa Rica government has mandated a limit on daily visitors to the park at around 1,200 people per day. Book an early morning guided tour of the park with a professional naturalist guide to avoid the crowds and increase your odds of seeing more wildlife. Naturalist guides have an eye and an ear for locating wildlife that most people miss. Park closed on Tuesdays.
Hiking
You’re sure to see plenty of wildlife throughout your stay in the Manuel Antonio region, but hiking the trails within Manuel Antonio National Park will certainly bring you up close to many of the shyer rainforest animals. Plus you’ll get to take in the rainforest views from a unique vantage point. The main trail within the park is a 1.3-mile flat, sandy trail that links the park’s beaches. This trail is perfect for travelers of all ages. Our Experts recommend visiting the park with a professional, naturalist guide and hitting the trails early to avoid crowds and see more wildlife! Another slightly more challenging trail for the adventurous is Punta Catedral, a beautiful 0.9-mile loop trail of moderate difficulty and some steep inclines. The trail is accessible from both Manuel Antonio Beach and Espadilla Sur Beach.
World-Class Beaches
Inside Manuel Antonio National Park are some of the region’s best beaches – Escondido Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach, and Espadilla Sur can all be accessed via low-intensity trails. There are great options outside of the park too. Playa Manuel Antonio and the long stretch of beach known as Espadilla Beach are the main scenes for Manuel Antonio’s visitors. You can find drink stands, surf lessons, snack bars, souvenir vendors, parasailing, and all kinds of beachy fun walking down Espadilla. If you’ve already explored the beaches inside the park, head to Biesanz Beach, located in a crescent bay on the end of Quepos Point, opposite Playa Espadilla. Biesanz Beach is a more secluded option with calm waters, great for swimming and kayaking.
Surfing
If you want to try out surfing during your Costa Rica vacation, Manuel Antonio is a great place to learn the basics. Surf lessons and board rentals can be arranged through the hotel concierge. Those with more advanced surf skills might find the waves on Playa Espadilla less intimidating than the waves of Nazaré or Oahu’s North Shore, but still worth a paddle out. The southern end of the beach at high tide is good for beginning surfers, while the northern end of the beach often sees bigger waves. If you have a rental car, consider driving south to some of the beaches near Dominical or Uvita for some extra surfing opportunities away from the crowds.
Marina Paz Vela – Quepos Sportfishing
Sportfishing from Quepos is a must-do for fishing enthusiasts who find themselves on the Central Pacific coast. Quepos has been called the Sailfish Capital of the World, but depending on the season, you might also reel in marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo, snook, roosterfish, and snapper. Marina Paz Vela is the best place to start your fishing adventures, with 195 boat slips, floating concrete docks, and a custom-designed dam system to protect the many vessels that operate in the marina’s waterfront. Paz Vela can arrange fishing tours, catamaran cruises, parasailing, jet ski excursions, and more. The commercial plaza offers 5 restaurants, a full-service deli & bakery, and a gelato shop.
Hike and Swim at the Nauyaca Waterfalls
About an hour south of Manuel Antonio, adventurous travelers can find the impressive Nauyaca Waterfalls, tucked away in the mountains off the coast of Dominical. This is a great day excursion for anyone who wants to go beyond the main Manuel Antonio area and experience the country’s most picturesque waterfall scenery. Join a guided tour and spend the day hiking and swimming in this natural wonder, which boasts two tiers of cascades. Costa Rica Experts tip: Nauyaca isn’t the only waterfall in the South Pacific region – take the Full-Day Waterfall Adventure Tour for a more in-depth excursion off the beaten path.