If you have any other questions about this park or traveling to Costa Rica in general, dont hesitate to reach out. Centrally located and easy to access, Manuel Antonio National Park has become one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica. Large Star = Where I found parking each day, right next to Hotel Manuel Antonio. Keep walking on this trail until you hit the mirador (view point) at the end to see Playa Puerto Escondido. The entrance fee is $16 per person. Dont forget to look down too, I saw a mom and baby deer walking under the platform as well as some snakes. These arent the highest of quality, and I highly suggest having a big meal before you enter the park. Guides are also really good at telling you the history of the area and giving you more information about the critters here, so youll learn lots. Its the smallest national park in the country but one of the most popular. We provide 15 luxury vacation rental homes, along with our condos at our Manuel Antonio Estates location, for all budgets, and also 2 vacation rentals 10 minutes from Quepos at our Palmas Pacifica location and 1 vacation rental in the Central Valley of San Jose which is only 15 minutes from the Juan Santamara International Airport. Sloths can easily be seen on a sunny morning. Lauren researches destinations for outdoor activities and food. Its not a hard walk at all and the views are incredible. The beaches and trails inside the park are open from 7:00am to 4:00pm. 1. disponibles alrededor de la entrada del parque por, Les plages et les sentiers l'intrieur du parc sont ouverts de, Les billets ne peuvent tre achets qu'en ligne, et votre numro de passeport est requis pour Ponce de Len, the Spanish explorer, whose futile search for the Fountain of Youth became his signature expedition, is rarely recognized for one of his greatest discoveries Quepos and Manuel Antonio which he put on the charts in 1519. des collations. Go as early as you can, and prepare to be amazed. away from the manchineel tree. She loves hiking, online shopping, and rescuing bunnies. The area that is Manuel Antonio stretches from the town of Quepos and then along an approximately 8-km road up a mountain and then back down, finishing at the entrance of the Manuel Antonio National Park and the beautiful Playa Espadilla. Otherwise I wouldnt say this trail is absolutely necessary to walk on since the waterfall is fairly small. Inside the Park: All the trails are very well-marked and have signs so you cannot get lost unless you deliberately leave the trail. I love having the buffet breakfast atRico Tico Jungle Grillright when they open at 6:30 am so Im all fueled up for a day at the national park. Read our guide to taking the bus from Jaco to Manuel Antonio. Its $86 USD for this little getaway that includes transportation. On one of the more crowded days, one window as taking cards and the other was cash only. The park ranges in elevation from sea level to 160 meters. Bring your swimsuit (there are changing stations) if you dont want to wear it in, towels, water, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. The forest is home to sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and millions of colorful little crabs. Near the entrance, a small area of mangroves boasts three species, red, buttonwood, and white. He also found a couple very fascinating birds of prey for us! Continuing east from the information center the first turn on the left is the 1.3 km sendero perezoso (sloth trail) along an access road that leads up, and out of the park to the hotel area above the parking lot. All guided tours include round trip transportation from MA / Quepos hotels and vacation homes, entrance fee, bilingual certified guides with high tech telescopes, 2.5-3 hours of the guided tour including the time to spend at the beaches. Its the result of many movements of the earth as its right on a tectonic fault. It does get really humid in the park, so shorts and a t-shirt will help keep you cooler. All trails are well marked and there are signs and maps everywhere so you wont get lost. Guided tours are available at $65 for adults, $50 for children. Rightfully so, with its pristine rainforest bursting with some of the country's most interesting wildlife paired with the postcard-worthy tropical beaches. Yes, you can! I was even told that I wouldnt see any wildlife unless I went with a guide. Some guides had special lenses they would setup so their guests could get a better view of the animals. Tickets MUST bepurchased in advance online here. Hay un pequeo quiosco en el parque en el que se pueden comprar Trails. The area unique atmosphere, and many activities so everybody can find what they were looking for. l'enregistrement au parc national. Joining a tour group or hiring a private guide in advance is a good way to avoid the vultures (agencies have access to advance purchase to guarantee entry). Do NOT park here. We are also just 3 miles from Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park. The beaches close at 3 PM and everyone needs to be out of the park by 4 PM. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Weve put together this Manuel Antonio National Park guide, so youre prepared and will have the best time once you arrive. The small town is on the cliffs near the park and is about 15 minutes from the larger city of Quepos. The trees are toxic and extremely dangerous dont touch any part of the tree or eat its fruit. Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica. Also, the park warns about people along the road leading here that will try to sell you entrance tickets, tours, or parking they are not connected to the park in any way, so dont buy anything from them! Hiking Manuel Antonio Park 5. In high season, December April, it can be more around 5-6000 CRC. aperitivos. Luxurious 1 to 8 bedroom vacation rentals and villas in a safe and private, gated community in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. y a un petit kiosque dans le parc o vous pouvez acheter des snacks. This way you can read reviews and ensure you will get a quality experience! I highly recommend guides for families with curious children and anyone who wants to see wildlife. Walking distance to the bustling town of Quepos, the new Marina, and a short drive to Manuel Antonio Park and beach. The trail is a platform that leads to the main fork of the national park where you go to Playa Manuel Antonio or the other trails, so if you decide to take this path, youll end up in the same place as the main trail. have your tickets. When you get down to the beach from the hill, you will see a turn to the left right between Bar Las Gemelas and Marlins. The main park entrance is located almost about 1.5km (almost a mile) inland, at the end of the road that leads off perpendicular to Playa Espadilla at the corner featuring the popular Marlin Restaurant. Manuel Antonio National Park operation hours are Wednesday - Monday 7 AM - 4 PM, closed Tuesdays. Children under 12 are free. The scenery is stunning and I love that I can get a rainforest hike and a beach day in the same place! Yes!! There are picnic tables and benches at Playa Manuel Antonio. This sprawling area filled with tons of biodiversity and natural beauty is often called Costa Rica's best national park . Private tours: Only you and your guide. Tour desk is located at El Faro Beach Hotel. Its only $26 USD per person, which doesnt include the park entrance fee. Reptiles. If You Want to Book a Tour:Ask your hotel to organize a tour, book one online, or get to the park early and ask for a guide when purchasing tickets. The road to the beach and park is surrounded by hotels and restaurants. This one takes you a bit deeper inside the forest. The park is filled with rainforests, mangroves, and beaches. NOTE: starting May 4 2021, Tickets must be purchased ONLINE BEFORE getting in line for the entrance! White-faced Capuchin (carablanca), spider (colorado) and mantled howler (congo) monkeys commonly hang around the entrance station looking for handouts (it is illegal to feed wildlife). Its a bit rockier here, but its actually two small beaches that combine into one. It seemed like the animals were already aware that bags contain food! Semi-private shuttles are available between most destinations in Costa Rica, in comfortable air-conditioned mini-vans, with door-to-door service from and to most hotels, for $45-$60 per person approx. This one is easy breezy! If seeing sloths is high on your list, book a sloth tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. But it protects an impressive range of biodiversity. 1-866-816-0197 Manuel Antonio National Park NOTE: starting May 4 2021, Tickets must be purchased ONLINE BEFORE getting in line for the entrance! The animals and birds who live here will be one of the highlights of your visit, depending on what you spot! It isnt good for them and you dont want them grabbing your stuff either! If you can find on-street parking in the area, it will be free. Lauren works full-time in supply chain management for a global food company. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica for a chance to spot sloths, monkeys, and almost 200 different species of birds! January and February are the driest months; August through October are the rainiest. LIKELY TO SELL OUT* All-Inclusive Manuel Antonio Guided Experience. January and February are the driest months; August through October are the rainiest. From there, you need to walk the Beach Trail to get to the park entrance. Lorsque vous rservez une visite guide, la visite comprend le We parked our car because one guy was waving at us. Sloths are also common in the park both two-toed and three-toed sloths. Its still really enjoyable to wander along the hiking trails by yourself and see what animals you can spot. boissons gazeuses, jus de fruits, etc.). All you have to do is buy a normal entrance ticket and explore. Manuel Antonio National Park was born from the desire of the people in the region to preserve their access to one of the most beautiful parts of Costa Rica. Around 3 PM, park rangers will close the beaches and start going around telling people they have 1 hour left. The park receives approximately 151 inches (3,900 mm) of precipitation a year. On Google Maps, its called Parqueo para el parque or Parqueo Privado Manuel Antonio. These are great because they are free to get to and you dont have to leave by a certain time so stay for the sunset! The parking is free but they still like tips (so not really entirely free) and promise to watch your car. Along the beaches youll discover small tide pools in the rocks that hold dozens of species of sponges, corals, crabs and other crustaceans and more than a hundred different types of fish. "Honestly, we would not have seen 90% of the magical things we saw had it not been for taking a guided tour with Dagoberto. Playa Manuel Antonio: Best of the Beach 7. I highly recommend this option for young families, big groups or those with only 1 day at the park and want to make the most out of their time in Manuel Antonio. The park is extremely popular and can be quite crowded so having some local alternatives is a good idea. Self-Guided vs. When you get to Playa Espadilla Sur, you can see Playa Espadilla Norte and all the hotels on the hill on the other side. The top activity is the simplest just walking around! juice). Start your visit here with a guided tour or explore by yourself without a guide along the trails to spot monkeys, sloths, poison dart frogs, butterflies, and many other critters! Or you cant go in the national park unless you hire them. Opening hours are from 7 am to 4 pm every day of the year except for Tuesdays, including all holidays. There are 10 hiking trails and all of them are really walkable there are some with stairs, but nothing too strenuous. So plan to spend the day here to get the most value! To carry everything, I recommend a waterproof backpack. Make sure you read below on how to purchase tickets in advance, as this is a MUST. There are over 100 mammal species including three of Costa Rica's four monkey species and over 180 bird species, including the fiery-billed aracari and mangrove hummingbird. These beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent, too. There are also some nice beaches in Manuel Antonio that are not in the national park. We paid 3,000 colones for parking the whole day in September. It is a day away in paradise! Taxis are also available 24/7 for around $8-$10 per ride. You must purchase Manuel Antonio National Park tickets here. I was inspired to write this post because as I was leaving the park, I was asked a few times where the entrance was. It can rain here (even in the dry season), so also pack a light rain jacket. The tour company will take care of it all for you. Entrance fee tickets for Manuel Antonio National Park vary depending on whether you are a foreigner or a resident of Costa Rica. This short trail is just a couple hundred meters away from the entrance of the park and leads to a small waterfall. Manuel Antonio National Park is open from 7am to 4pm every day EXCEPT Mondays, when it is completely closed. If you want to avoid paying for parking or dont have a rental car, you can easily take the bus from Quepos to Manuel Antonio National Park. If youre staying in the area, most hotels are situated between the park and Quepos around the town of Manuel Antonio. If you are looking for accommodation near SJO, check out the Adventure Inn; you can read more about this option and get a 10% discount applied if booking through this link: http://www.adventure-inn.com/promo/manuelantonioestates, Contact usto assist in planning an unforgettable experience orBook your guide now. A lot of the guides here also use a scope (basically a powerful telescope) that you can use on a tour to see animals up close like a sloth or a monkey hiding up in the treetops. The national park is open Wednesday - Monday and the entrance fee is $16 USD plus tax per adult foreigner. When you arrive at the park, bring whatever documentation you used to purchase your tickets like photo ID or a passport that matches the name on the ticket. One of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park is to check out all the amazing wildlife here. This hour long hike gives you views of different parts of the park and islands. Il There is a parking lot next to the hotel with two security guards dressed in everyday clothing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I was curious if you can still enter the park if you show up after your reservation time? One of the best ways to see Manuel Antonio National Park is with a tour. There is no outside food allowed in the park. Get Exclusive Costa Rica Travel Tips and our Free Travel Guide Straight to You! What?? April 27, 2022. For most up-to-date information on hours, please click HERE. As far as viewing wildlife, I was able to see every creature the guides were pointing out. There are sloths, LOTS of monkeys, reptiles, and birds galore. Theres a couple of viewpoints along the way where you can catch glimpses of bright blue water peeking through the trees. en el parque nacional. Les boissons sont autorises (eau, Tickets will be sold to nationals and tourists ONLINE. Manuel Antonio National Park was established in 1972 as a way to protect this area of rainforest and all the animals inside. Keep your eyes in the tree tops to spot them, sloths are notoriously hard to see since they camouflage so well and move so little. Manuel Antonio town literally borders the national park and is agreat place to stayif you want to be based in this area for a while. This short trail runs parallel to the main one through the park (the other name for this trail is Sendero Paralelo). Come right for when the park opens at 7 am or shortly after and youll have the best chance to see the park before it gets busy. Always lock your doors and roll up your windows. Occupancy quotas seemed may be ignored during peak travel times (Easter, Christmas and New Years) but in the past this has led to the complete shutdown of the National Park beaches due to unsafe water quality. Guided tours are available at $65 for adults, $50 for children. Manuel Antonio is extraordinary and worth all the hassle of parking, tickets, and pesky vendors. ( 9.391378, -84.145467) edit. We came in from San Jos by bicycle and only rode down this side, but can assure you that the ride up would be a tough one. The buses run about every half hour from 5:30 am until 9:30 pm and will take you through the town of Manuel Antonio and close to the park entrance but not right to it. If youd like to book a professionally guided tour please click HERE. El Faro Tours, Manuel Antonio National Park entrance (El Faro Beach Hotel), (506) 2777-5115, [x]. Sometimes the park is not as busy and they won't mind. You can visit Manuel Antonio National Park with a guide or without a guide. No trails are necessary for some other interesting walks in the park. This trail is a short dirt road, and you will walk over a small bridge. Butterflies. Theyll tell you where to grab a taxi or take the bus to get back to your hotel. Things tend to be less expensive and not as crowded during the rainy season from May to November. You can bring a refillable water bottle with you just not a single-use plastic one as those are banned in this park. If any of the clients have a special need to enter the park-like difficulty walking or need a wheelchair, our guides will make arrangements with the management of the park. Additionally, many guides have telescopes so you can see the animals up close and get photos through the telescope. Other activities available from your hotel desk or the tour kiosks in the area include day trips to Cao Island (snorkeling and scuba diving), white water rafting and kayaking (in the wet season only), surf kayaking, and canopy tours. Please see #3, finding the ticket booth, for a map showing where to locate tickets and the park entrance. Facts about the Manuel Antonio National park History How to get there By Bus: By Car: By Plane: Park Schedule How to make the reservations online Manuel Antonio National Park restrictions Food: The picture with animals: Weapons: Protect the ocean: In order to get a parking spot, it is best to visit the park as early as possible. No est permitido introducir ningn tipo de comida en el parque; s estn permitidas las bebidas Hiking in Manuel Antonio National Park on itsrainforest hiking trailsis the best way to see some of the animals here. Yes, and you should! Rainforest Wildlife Encounters at Manuel Antonio Costa Rica 6. Yes, there are private parking lots outside of Manuel Antonio National Park where you can pay for parking. Although the lookout point appears to be very close to the beach on the map, you cannot access the beach from the top of this nearly vertical drop-off. Everywhere I went, it seemed like someone was trying to get me to book a tour. There are beautiful walking trails, lots of wildlife (including the adorable squirrel monkeys! At 1,983 hectares (7.7 square miles), Manuel Antonio is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica. We saw a 3 fingered and 2 fingered sloth on this trail so the trail lives up to its name but make sure youre looking into the trees since its a bit more dense on this trail than the other one. Reserve your vacation rental now, lets go! Id rarely seen so much wildlife in a rainforest area. Manuel Antonio National Park has a tiny system of short trails - all easy, except in rainy conditions, when they can get slippery. manuel antonio national park punta catedral The park is literally right next to Manuel Antonio town and less than a 10-minute drive away from Quepos. So abundant are the riches of Costa Ricas Central Pacific coast, that he might have found his fabled fountain had he gone ashore and explored the region. Our attentive staff ensures your requests and needs are proficiently fulfilled to guarantee your experiences are smooth and enjoyable. The website has an option in English and they have a tutorial to show you how to purchase tickets. Youll find out exactly what youre looking at, learn about the various flora and fauna thats around and the primary/secondary rain forest. The entrance fee to Manuel Antonio park is $16 per person for foreigners and tickets must be purchased online in advance! The guys working security did a good job to make sure nobodys car was blocked in and the lot had plenty of room for us to exit. Turn left and continue on this narrow road until you are almost at the entrance of the national park. Sometimes, the park is full and they will turn you away. Visiting the park, one is treated to an abundant diversity of wildlife. Its a different experience every time you go! You will need to pre-purchase your park ticket online. Youll not only see more; youll learn a ton about the park and its creatures along the way. Instead, book asmall-group guided tourfor a more personal experience with a maximum number of eight people allowed. I recommend to pay in Costa Rican colones, not USD. Just be aware that the road is very narrow and curvy once you pass Quepos so drive slowly. Your guide will make sure you see lots of sloths as well as other critters. Walking on safe trails, this guided tour, done on a private property known as Biophilia (10 minutes away from Quepos), will take you on a magical experience through the nocturnal forest in search of the night-active fauna characteristic of the area, and learn about the . Back then, there were concerns about development overtaking it, so establishing the park ensured the area would remain as it is. To reach Playa Puerto Escondido return to the Y and take the right hand branch. Many people will offer guided tours, so be sure to go with one you have already researched to get the best experience. When you hire a tour guide for the park, you get a unique educated experience about the park. From the entrance the main trail, Sendero El Perezoso runs for 1.4km down to Playa Manuel Antonio. Two- and three-toed sloths (perezosos de dos/tres dedos), raccoons (mapache), white-nosed coatis (pizote), and agoutis (guatusa) are other common mammals. If you show up at the park without purchased tickets, they wont let you in. This tour is $70 USD per person. Also keep an eye out for toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, and butterflies. If you need additional information on travel options from SJO or for reservations, please do not hesitate to Contact Us. If youre visiting in rainy season, make sure you have a waterproof backpack or backpack cover. Covid has introduced new quotas but since traveler numbers are so low they are generally not reached. If you say that you are going to the beach, they will just tell you to have a good time. Keep your eyes out and look up often to see if you can spot one too! Five km south of there Dominical is a surf hangout with a laid-back backpacker scene. This blog may contain affiliate links. You wont be missing anything amazing (there are a lot more beautiful waterfalls in the South Pacific like Nauyaca). The overhanging palms are a refreshing break from the condos, bars, discos, hotels and restaurants surrounding the park. When she's not working or traveling, you can find her spending time with her husband Reed, and daughter Holland, along with their two pets; a dog named Bear and a bunny, Mochi. We have visited Manuel Antonio National Park 4 times on our own and had a great time each time. Sandwiches are also allowed, but packaged food like chips and cookies are not permitted. The admission fee is $18.08, children from 2 to 11 years old pay $5.65. Entry Point, Fees & Regulations: The park ( (tel) 2777-5185) is open Tuesday through Sunday from 7am to 4pm. Book as far ahead as you can. Really? Troops of squirrel monkeys fed busily on swarms of green and black grasshoppers. It can get busy, so if you walk over to Playa Espadilla Sur, thats typically less busy and still a great spot for swimming or sun tanning. Entrance Fees, Operating Hours, and Other FAQs 3. Manuel Antonio is the most popular National Park with Ticos. Click here to book the tour and get our discount! 21 Things you NEED to know before visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica, 5 BEST Sloth Tours in La Fortuna (Sloth Watching Trails), 5 BEST Night Tours in Monteverde (Monteverde Night Walks), 7 BEST Coffee Tours in Costa Rica (Local Coffee Plantations You Should Visit! This makes the customer service personalized by receiving full information on the flora, fauna, history of the park and information on the culture of the area. You might spot red-eyed tree frogs, tiny crabs like the orange Halloween crabs, or snakes. Taxis are also an option from both Manuel Antonio and Quepos and should cost between $5-10 USD each way. You can view the map below for the walking path that leads tothe ticket booth. If you want a more personal experience, I highly recommend a private tour, especially during high season. This is the only parking area I found that it was not mandatory to pay for and relatively close to the entrance. Manuel Antonio is very popular. All of them leave from the Quepos bus station and the buses stop on the hill on the way. Reviewers warned that there are many people trying to get you to pay for parking whoare reallynot associated with the park at all. Welcome to Manuel Antonio Park Costa Rica, http://www.adventure-inn.com/promo/manuelantonioestates, 5 reasons you should do a Manuel Antonio Park guided tour, Important environmental places for tourism in Quepos, Costa Rica, a climate success story in the world (FRANCE 24 Espaol), Fauna & Flora Chapter 2: The Beach almond tree. About Manuel Antonio National Park Manuel Antonio National Park was established in 1972 as a way to protect this area of rainforest and all the animals inside. Directions to Ticket Booth: From the parking lot next to Hotel Manuel Antonio, walk past the hotel to Beach Trail. NOTE Keep kids (and yourself!) If you pick up a guide at the entrance, you pay the entry fee and the guide. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica for hiking, wildlife and beaches. Capuchin monkeys can also be seen in abundance. Anyone on a budget or just wants to enjoy the park at their own pace and doesnt have their heart set on finding animals or learning about the area. You can walk the short trails with flip flops but hiking sandals are the best if you want to hike the longer trails. Id say you need at least half a day (4 hours) to really explore the park and walk along some of the trails. I did see a couple of the poison dart frogs on the way so you might see something too. If you can visit in the low season, do. This fairly short path leads to Playa Gemelas beach and connects to the other trails on the western side of the national park. Playa Gemelas is on the other side of Playa Manuel Antonio and is a bit smaller. Unfortunately there are no food stands or cafeterias inside the park but they do allow you to bring food in the park. You can choose to spend the rest of the day inside the park to enjoy the beaches but might need to take the bus or a taxi back to your hotel. Continuing south (35 miles, 58 km from Quepos) youll reach Rancho Merced National Wildlife refuge, and Marino Ballena National Park. The guides here know where to look for animals and birds and will probably point out lots of critters you would have missed. Heres a video we took near the beach: I am very thankful that I read TripAdvisor reviews before visiting the park. So if youre staying at a hotel on a hill and want to take the bus, there are lots of bus stops you can wait at. Its named after the howler monkey. It was approximately $5 and . Mytanfeet LLC Copyright 2013 - 2023 - Thank you for supporting our Travel Blog! Using their telescopes, observing animals is much easier. The trail that winds around Punta Catedral features some spectacular views. This time around, I thought it best to book a tour since it was a trip for my son and a few of his friends. The waves here are calm, so its perfect for beginners. Important: The Park is Closed on Mondays from July to November. EstablishedManuel Antonio National Park is named for a Conquistador who is buried there and was established in 1972 and expanded in 1980. Logging and agriculture have left only two significant areas of tropical rainforest (tropical lowland wet forest) along the entire Pacific coast of Central America. Also be sure to check out more of our in-depth guides including: COMPLETE Guide to Visiting La Leona Waterfall, Fun Things to do in Puerto Limn, Costa Rica, 15 Things To Know Before Visiting Rio Celeste (Rio Celeste Waterfall), Is Costa Rica Safe? You can bring food like prepared sandwiches and fruit in sealed bags/containers. For detailed pricing and bookings visit: Domestic flights cost between $75 and $95 and there are 5 daily direct flights available between Quepos XQP and San Jose SJO.