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Costa Rica🇨🇷 | townsManuel AntonioPark wildlife, hillside road, cove beaches | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Manuel Antonio
🏆 Top picktown ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The choice that shapes a stay in Manuel Antonio is whether to sleep on the jungle hillside or down near Playa Espadilla: the hill gives you ocean views and howler monkeys at dawn, the flat gives you cheaper food and a walk to the sand. The village sits on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of Quepos, along one steep road lined with sodas, hostels and tour desks. I came on the public bus from Quepos, and halfway up the hill a pair of scarlet macaws crossed the road low enough that the whole bus went quiet. That is the trade you make here: diesel fumes, hawkers and a rainforest that starts at the last fence. Hostels are small and social, evenings are beers and shared tour plans, and meeting other backpackers takes no effort. Unlike Jacó, which runs on surf and late nights, Manuel Antonio is built around early alarms and wildlife.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 town in Costa RicaThe unique appeal for travelers

Manuel Antonio works because a real national park, three or four easy beaches and a cluster of social hostels all sit along a single road. Most backpackers give it two or three nights. One day goes to the park, one to the free sand and the sunset bar, and a third to a kayak or a mangrove trip if the budget allows. The squirrel monkeys, sloths and white-faced capuchins are the draw, and they are easy to see here even if you have never traveled for wildlife before. Solo travelers do especially well, because the shared dorms and the walk down to Playa Espadilla Norte make conversation almost automatic. Hikers will find the trails short, and slow travelers may feel they run out of things to do by day four. The village is also pricier than most of the country, so it suits people who want a short, … read more 👉
Manuel Antonio works because a real national park, three or four easy beaches and a cluster of social hostels all sit along a single road. Most backpackers give it two or three nights. One day goes to the park, one to the free sand and the sunset bar, and a third to a kayak or a mangrove trip if the budget allows. The squirrel monkeys, sloths and white-faced capuchins are the draw, and they are easy to see here even if you have never traveled for wildlife before. Solo travelers do especially well, because the shared dorms and the walk down to Playa Espadilla Norte make conversation almost automatic. Hikers will find the trails short, and slow travelers may feel they run out of things to do by day four. The village is also pricier than most of the country, so it suits people who want a short, focused stop and not a month-long base. Pair it with a quieter coastal town afterward, such as Dominical.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Manuel Antonio National Park: The sight everyone comes for, a compact park where capuchins steal snacks, sloths hang in the cecropia trees and the Cathedral Point trail ends at sweeping ocean views. Entry is about US$18 including tax for foreign adults, and the park is closed on Tuesdays. Arrive when the gates open, since the animals are most active early, and plan 3 to 5 hours. A licensed guide costs roughly US$25 to 40 per person and is worth it for the spotting scopes.
  2. Playa Espadilla Norte: The long, open public beach just outside the park, with surf lessons, shaded benches and beachfront cafés. Currents can be strong, so swim near the lifeguard flags. Late afternoon is best for the golden light and the cooler sand. It is free, and you can spend 1 to 3 hours here.
  3. Playa Biesanz: A small,
… read more 👉
  1. Manuel Antonio National Park: The sight everyone comes for, a compact park where capuchins steal snacks, sloths hang in the cecropia trees and the Cathedral Point trail ends at sweeping ocean views. Entry is about US$18 including tax for foreign adults, and the park is closed on Tuesdays. Arrive when the gates open, since the animals are most active early, and plan 3 to 5 hours. A licensed guide costs roughly US$25 to 40 per person and is worth it for the spotting scopes.
  2. Playa Espadilla Norte: The long, open public beach just outside the park, with surf lessons, shaded benches and beachfront cafés. Currents can be strong, so swim near the lifeguard flags. Late afternoon is best for the golden light and the cooler sand. It is free, and you can spend 1 to 3 hours here.
  3. Playa Biesanz: A small, calm cove reached by a short forest trail, with warmer, gentler water than the main beaches. Entry is free, so go in the morning when it is quiet. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
  4. Playa Gemelas: A pair of tiny beaches inside the national park, reached by a short trail with steep stairs and rarely crowded. Low tide reveals rock pools and a stretch of dark sand. It is covered by the park ticket, and you need about an hour. Bring water and grippy sandals for the stairs.
  5. El Avión: A restaurant and bar built around the fuselage of a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane, with a rooftop deck facing the sunset over the Pacific. Walking in to look at the plane costs nothing, and a drink runs about US$4 to 8. Go in the late afternoon and allow about 1 to 2 hours.
Playa Espadilla Norte and Playa Biesanz cost nothing to enter, which makes them the cheapest highlights in town. From Manuel Antonio you can also reach the Damas Island mangrove estuary near Quepos, the Rainmaker Conservation Park with its hanging bridges, and Nauyaca Waterfalls near Dominical on day trips.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist

Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist

4.8(4586) 4h
From €44
per personViator
Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches

Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches

4.9(1163) 2h
From €25
per personViator
Manuel Antonio National Park: Guided Tour with TICKET INCLUDED

Manuel Antonio National Park: Guided Tour with TICKET INCLUDED

4.9(783) 2h
From €21
per personViator
Deluxe Private Manuel Antonio Park Tour

Deluxe Private Manuel Antonio Park Tour

5.0(575) 3h
From €86
per personViator
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour with ticket option

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour with ticket option

4.8(631) 2h 30m
From €25
per personViator
Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour with Ticket Included Option

Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour with Ticket Included Option

4.9(491)
From €25
per personViator
Beach Parasailing with Aguas Azules

Beach Parasailing with Aguas Azules

5.0(388) 45m
From €103
per personViator
Manuel Antonio National Park : Guided tour with TICKET INCLUDED

Manuel Antonio National Park : Guided tour with TICKET INCLUDED

4.8(446) 2h
From €25
per personViator
Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour

Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour

5.0(315) 2h 30m
From €25
per personViator
Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour - Admission Ticket Included

Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour - Admission Ticket Included

5.0(296)
From €48
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

Manuel Antonio is a single strip of road that climbs and drops through jungle, so the areas are really stretches of one hill, and each sounds and smells different.
  • The Quepos side (road to the park, lower end): Quepos is the real town, with a waterfront, a Saturday farmers market, diesel from buses, and soda counters serving casado plates (rice, beans, plantain, chicken) for a few dollars. It is flat and walkable, and you get the cheapest honest meal in the area.
  • The Hill (Biesanz and the middle road): Steep switchbacks lined with restaurants, tour offices and roadside stands. Howler monkeys roar at dawn from the trees overhead, and there are no sidewalks in places, so you walk the shoulder with traffic brushing past. The reward is a sunset table with the Pacific turning orange below you.
  • Playa
… read more 👉
Manuel Antonio is a single strip of road that climbs and drops through jungle, so the areas are really stretches of one hill, and each sounds and smells different.
  • The Quepos side (road to the park, lower end): Quepos is the real town, with a waterfront, a Saturday farmers market, diesel from buses, and soda counters serving casado plates (rice, beans, plantain, chicken) for a few dollars. It is flat and walkable, and you get the cheapest honest meal in the area.
  • The Hill (Biesanz and the middle road): Steep switchbacks lined with restaurants, tour offices and roadside stands. Howler monkeys roar at dawn from the trees overhead, and there are no sidewalks in places, so you walk the shoulder with traffic brushing past. The reward is a sunset table with the Pacific turning orange below you.
  • Playa Espadilla and the park entrance: A long gray-gold beach with surf-school boards, vendors and the smell of sunscreen and grilled fish. The final stretch to the park gate is flat and easy on foot.
  • Playitas and the quiet ridge: Small coves and forest lanes away from the main road, where nights are nothing but frogs and insects. Walking is hilly and unlit, but you get the calm that the main strip lacks.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

6:45 AM, National Park entrance: Start at the gate before it opens, because the monkeys and sloths are most active while the sand is still empty and the heat has not built. Hire a guide at the entrance if you want help spotting wildlife, then follow the main trail to the beaches.
8:00 AM, Sloth Trail and Cathedral Point: Walk the shaded path slowly, then climb to the lookout at Cathedral Point for the ocean views over small rocky islands. The route is short and a little steep, but the ridge is the best vantage in the park.
10:30 AM, Playa Manuel Antonio: Swim in the calm cove inside the park. Keep food sealed, since raccoons and capuchins will open an unguarded bag in seconds.
12:30 PM, Lunch at the sodas near the park road: Walk out of the gate and eat a casado, the standard plate of rice, beans, … read more 👉
6:45 AM, National Park entrance: Start at the gate before it opens, because the monkeys and sloths are most active while the sand is still empty and the heat has not built. Hire a guide at the entrance if you want help spotting wildlife, then follow the main trail to the beaches.
8:00 AM, Sloth Trail and Cathedral Point: Walk the shaded path slowly, then climb to the lookout at Cathedral Point for the ocean views over small rocky islands. The route is short and a little steep, but the ridge is the best vantage in the park.
10:30 AM, Playa Manuel Antonio: Swim in the calm cove inside the park. Keep food sealed, since raccoons and capuchins will open an unguarded bag in seconds.
12:30 PM, Lunch at the sodas near the park road: Walk out of the gate and eat a casado, the standard plate of rice, beans, salad and chicken or fish, at a family-run soda. It fills you up and costs far less than the beachfront restaurants.
2:00 PM, Playa Biesanz: This is the off-route stop. Follow the short forest path down from the road to the small cove that most tour groups bypass. Swim, then rest in the shade under the almond trees while locals set up for the afternoon.
4:00 PM, Playa Espadilla Norte: Walk along the long beach as the light softens. It is the easiest place to meet other travelers, whether over a surf lesson or a cold drink at a beach café.
5:30 PM, El Avión: Finish on the deck of the old cargo plane for sunset and a drink, then take a taxi or the bus back to your hostel.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

The dry months, roughly December to April, give Manuel Antonio its easiest trail and beach conditions.
  • Dry Season (December to April): Mornings are sunny and highs sit around 31°C (88°F), with lows near 23°C (73°F). Days run about 11.5 hours of light. Beds fill fast, and the park hits its daily visitor cap. Prices run 30 to 50 percent above low season, peaking at Christmas and Easter.
  • Green Season (May to November): Mornings are often clear, then rain hammers in from about 2 pm. September and October are the wettest, with some days of near-constant downpour. Temperatures stay 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) with heavy humidity. The forest is lush, wildlife is easy to spot, and rooms cost noticeably less.
  • Shoulder (late November, early May): Rain is patchy, crowds are thinner and rates start to drop.
  • Park
… read more 👉
The dry months, roughly December to April, give Manuel Antonio its easiest trail and beach conditions.
  • Dry Season (December to April): Mornings are sunny and highs sit around 31°C (88°F), with lows near 23°C (73°F). Days run about 11.5 hours of light. Beds fill fast, and the park hits its daily visitor cap. Prices run 30 to 50 percent above low season, peaking at Christmas and Easter.
  • Green Season (May to November): Mornings are often clear, then rain hammers in from about 2 pm. September and October are the wettest, with some days of near-constant downpour. Temperatures stay 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F) with heavy humidity. The forest is lush, wildlife is easy to spot, and rooms cost noticeably less.
  • Shoulder (late November, early May): Rain is patchy, crowds are thinner and rates start to drop.
  • Park Closures: The national park closes on Tuesdays, so plan beach days then.
Book your park ticket ahead and arrive at opening, before heat and tour groups build.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: good for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

The best budget area is the lower end of the road near Quepos, where hostel beds and cheap guesthouses cluster and you can easily catch a bus to the park. Dorm beds usually run US$12 to 25, and private rooms US$35 to 60, and costs rise in high season.
Quepos town is the cheapest option and the best connected. Buses to San José and along the coast leave from the station, groceries and sodas are cheap, and you can walk around at night without trouble along the main streets. It is noisy with traffic early and late, and the beach is a short bus ride away, so you spend a little on fares.
The middle of … read more 👉
The best budget area is the lower end of the road near Quepos, where hostel beds and cheap guesthouses cluster and you can easily catch a bus to the park. Dorm beds usually run US$12 to 25, and private rooms US$35 to 60, and costs rise in high season.
Quepos town is the cheapest option and the best connected. Buses to San José and along the coast leave from the station, groceries and sodas are cheap, and you can walk around at night without trouble along the main streets. It is noisy with traffic early and late, and the beach is a short bus ride away, so you spend a little on fares.
The middle of the hill road is the other good choice if you want jungle sounds at night. It has more hostels and small hotels, often with pools, and monkeys on the wires in the morning. It is steeper and darker, with no sidewalks in places, so a taxi after dark is smart. Buses pass along it until evening, which keeps you connected.
Avoid the far end of the beach road if you are on a tight budget, since prices there are the highest. Reserve ahead from December to April, and book earlier around Christmas and Easter.
Teva Jungle Hostel and Hotel hostel

Teva Jungle Hostel and Hotel

500m from Manuel Antonio city centre
9.1 rating
Hotel La Colina hostel

Hotel La Colina

500m from Manuel Antonio city centre
9 rating
Planet B Hostel hostel

Planet B Hostel

1.5km from Manuel Antonio city centre
8.6 rating
Popular hostels come and go. Spotted some out-dated info? Contact us.

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

Taking a taxi for the short hop between Quepos and the beach costs far more than the local bus, and that gap adds up fast over a few days. Manuel Antonio is a steep, narrow road about 7 km (4 miles) long, with no sidewalks in several places, so you will want wheels for the uphill parts and your own legs for the beach end. Traffic backs up at midday in high season, and the bus is the most reliable way through it.
  • Local bus: Buses run between the Quepos station and the park gate roughly every 30 minutes, from early morning until about 9 pm, for about US$1 to 1.50. They are hot, loud, and packed with surfboards and wet towels. You get a window view of the jungle sliding past, and drop-offs anywhere on the route.
  • Walking: The beach end near Espadilla is flat and pleasant, and the park trails are
… read more 👉
Taking a taxi for the short hop between Quepos and the beach costs far more than the local bus, and that gap adds up fast over a few days. Manuel Antonio is a steep, narrow road about 7 km (4 miles) long, with no sidewalks in several places, so you will want wheels for the uphill parts and your own legs for the beach end. Traffic backs up at midday in high season, and the bus is the most reliable way through it.
  • Local bus: Buses run between the Quepos station and the park gate roughly every 30 minutes, from early morning until about 9 pm, for about US$1 to 1.50. They are hot, loud, and packed with surfboards and wet towels. You get a window view of the jungle sliding past, and drop-offs anywhere on the route.
  • Walking: The beach end near Espadilla is flat and pleasant, and the park trails are all on foot. The hill is steep, so allow 20 to 30 minutes uphill from the lower road, in humidity that soaks your shirt. You hear howlers and smell salt and frying plantain on the way.
  • Taxi: Red official cabs charge about US$8 to 15 from Quepos to the hill and beach, with higher rates after dark. Agree on the fare or insist on the meter. It is the practical choice with a heavy pack or late at night.
  • Shuttle and long-distance bus: Direct buses from San José take about 3 to 4 hours and cost US$10 to 15, arriving at Quepos. Shared shuttles to Jacó, Uvita or San José cost US$40 to 60 and run morning to afternoon, with air-conditioning and hotel drop-off.
  • Scooter or ATV rental: About US$35 to 60 a day. It is fun on the curves with the sea flashing between trees, but rain makes the road slick, so go carefully.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Manuel Antonio costs about US$75 to 105 a day for a backpacker, and the table below uses US$93 for high season. Prices are higher here than in most of Costa Rica, because the area runs on tourism.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$15 to 28US$15 to 20 in green season, up to US$28 in high season. Quepos is cheaper than the hill.
MealsUS$18 to 30Casado at a soda is US$6 to 9. Hill restaurants charge US$15 to 25 for a main.
Local transportUS$2 to 6Bus is about US$1 to 1.50 each way. A taxi is US$8 to 15.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$16 to 30The national park costs about US$18 for foreigners. Mangrove and waterfall tours cost more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$8 to 15Water, sunscreen, snacks, a beer at about US$3 to 5, and locker or guide fees.
Total Daily BudgetUS$93High-season dorm,
… read more 👉
Manuel Antonio costs about US$75 to 105 a day for a backpacker, and the table below uses US$93 for high season. Prices are higher here than in most of Costa Rica, because the area runs on tourism.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$15 to 28US$15 to 20 in green season, up to US$28 in high season. Quepos is cheaper than the hill.
MealsUS$18 to 30Casado at a soda is US$6 to 9. Hill restaurants charge US$15 to 25 for a main.
Local transportUS$2 to 6Bus is about US$1 to 1.50 each way. A taxi is US$8 to 15.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$16 to 30The national park costs about US$18 for foreigners. Mangrove and waterfall tours cost more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$8 to 15Water, sunscreen, snacks, a beer at about US$3 to 5, and locker or guide fees.
Total Daily BudgetUS$93High-season dorm, meals, transport, one activity and extras combined.
Buy groceries at the supermarket in Quepos and eat your main meal at a soda, which cuts food costs by a third.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsShort trips worth adding

Manuel Antonio works well for day trips because Quepos has most of the tour operators and the roads are paved.
Rainmaker Nature Park:
A private reserve in the hills above Quepos, with suspension bridges over the canopy and swimming holes in cold rivers. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or tour, and the entry is around US$20 to 30. Go in the morning, since afternoon rain turns the trail muddy, and wear shoes that can get wet.

Damas Island Mangrove Tour:
A quiet boat trip through mangrove channels near Quepos, with crocodiles, herons and sleeping bats. A guided tour costs about US$50 to 75 for 2.5 to 3 hours, and it is good year-round, though early morning gives the best wildlife. First-timers often book without checking tide times, which affect how deep into the channels you go.

Nauyaca … read more 👉
Manuel Antonio works well for day trips because Quepos has most of the tour operators and the roads are paved.
Rainmaker Nature Park:
A private reserve in the hills above Quepos, with suspension bridges over the canopy and swimming holes in cold rivers. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes by taxi or tour, and the entry is around US$20 to 30. Go in the morning, since afternoon rain turns the trail muddy, and wear shoes that can get wet.

Damas Island Mangrove Tour:
A quiet boat trip through mangrove channels near Quepos, with crocodiles, herons and sleeping bats. A guided tour costs about US$50 to 75 for 2.5 to 3 hours, and it is good year-round, though early morning gives the best wildlife. First-timers often book without checking tide times, which affect how deep into the channels you go.

Nauyaca Waterfalls:
A two-tier waterfall about 1.5 hours inland near Dominical, with a big natural pool below. Tours with transport cost about US$70 to 90, and entry on its own is around US$10 to 15. Go in the dry season, when the road and the walk are easier, and bring swim gear.

Playa Hermosa and Jacó:
The surf towns to the north are about 1 to 1.5 hours away by bus or shuttle. Jacó has a long, dark-sand beach and nightlife, and nearby Hermosa is better for watching surfers. Budget about US$15 to 40 return, and leave early so you are back before dark.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Manuel Antonio is generally safe, and the most common problem is petty theft rather than violence. Leave nothing visible in parked cars along the beach road and near the park, where break-ins are a regular nuisance. On the sand, keep your phone and cash in a bag you can watch, since lone towels get picked over while people swim.
Park guides and street touts sometimes approach you near the entrance, claiming you must hire them or that tickets are sold out. Buy tickets from the official site and walk past politely. Do not feed the monkeys, who will grab bags and bite.
Rip currents are strong at Espadilla, so swim only where lifeguards and flags are. Solo travelers can walk the main road at night in groups, but the hill is unlit and has no sidewalks, so take a taxi after dark. Use official red taxis and agree on the fare first.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Manuel Antonio is worth visiting for more than a stopover, mostly for its national park, where sloths, capuchin monkeys and iguanas live beside white-sand beaches. The park entry costs about US$18 and it closes on Tuesdays. Quepos adds cheap sodas, boat trips and surf lessons, so you fill days without running out of things to do.
Manuel Antonio needs two to three days. One full morning goes to the national park, ideally at opening, and a second day covers the beach, a mangrove tour or Rainmaker Nature Park. Add a third day if you want surf lessons or a waterfall trip to Nauyaca, which is about 1.5 hours away.
Manuel Antonio can be done as a long day trip from San José, but it is tiring. The drive takes 3 to 4 hours each way, and a bus costs about US$10 to 15 one way, which leaves only a few hours at the park. Staying at least one night in Quepos or on the hill road lets you reach the gate at opening, when animals are most active.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Costa Rican towns near Manuel Antonio

Explore more nearby:

  • Quepos—Fishing port, marina walk, park gateway| 3 km away
  • Parrita—Palm plantations, mangrove estuary, dark-sand shore| 23 km away
  • Dominical—Beach break, Barú river mouth, Friday market| 37 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Manuel Antonio deserves two nights, three if you want a slow beach day after the park. I would book the park for your first morning, since the gates close on Tuesdays and the animals are most active early, and I would skip a fourth night. Move on to somewhere quieter and cheaper instead.

✈️ When did I visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Costa Rica, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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