17 Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio + Must-Know Tips

The best thing to do in Manuel Antonio is a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park.

The park’s well-maintained hiking trails lead you through dense jungles, past abundant wildlife (from squirrel monkeys to sloths), to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.

This park is as much about wildlife spotting as it is about lazing on the sand and swimming. And your guide’s well-trained eye (and spotting scope) will help you spot more mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles than you ever could on your own. It’s worth every penny.

The guided tour exceeded my expectations. My guide, José, pointed out SO much wildlife to our group – including multiple sloths, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, a snake, iguanas, cool insects and spiders, and squirrel monkeys.

Best Manuel Antonio Tours

Here are the three best tours to consider booking: 

• 2.5-hour Manuel Antonio group tour – this is the tour I went on. It doesn’t include transportation, which I preferred, because we wanted to stay in the park longer. (Note: You have to purchase your national park ticket separately here.)
• 4-hour Manuel Antonio small-group tour – this tour includes transportation to/from the park and your national park ticket.
• 2 to 3-hour private tour of Manuel Antonio – this private tour is just for your group and includes transportation and your national park ticket.

2. Explore the Hiking Trails in Manuel Antonio National Park

Most of the guided tours of the park start at the main entrance and finish at Playa Manuel Antonio (Manuel Antonio Beach) – leaving all of the other trails undiscovered.

After your guided tour, you can’t miss two hiking trails: Sendero Miradores and Sendero Punta Catedral. Remember to keep quiet as you hike so you don’t scare any animals away.

Sendero Miradores leads you uphill through the jungle to two different viewing platforms with stunning Pacific Ocean views.

Meanwhile, Punta Catedral loops you around the park’s rocky peninsula (which is shaped like a whale’s tail) to three different viewpoints. Note: This trail is currently closed for renovations. 

If you have extra time before leaving the park, stroll down the Sendero Catarata Estacional to see a small, seasonal waterfall.

3. Relax on Manuel Antonio Beach

One of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio is to relax and swim at its stunning beaches – especially Playa Manuel Antonio.

Once you’re done hiking, change into your swimsuit and choose a shady spot on the beautiful white-sand beach. 

If Playa Manuel Antonio is a little too crowded (likely the case in high season after 11 AM), then venture down to either Playa Espadilla Sur or Playa Gemelas – two other beaches within the national park.

Remember, only use natural, eco-friendly sunscreen to protect your skin and this precious ecosystem.

MADDY’S NOTE: You can’t bring food onto the park’s trails or beaches. There’s a food concession inside the park, and you can bring a reusable water bottle – there are refill stations inside.

4. Spend the Day at Playitas Beach Club & Restaurant

One of the best things we did in Manuel Antonio was relax at Playitas Beach Club & Restaurant.

Located on the sand at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, the service there was excellent. And since it was low season, we had the entire place to ourselves.

Alongside some cocktails, for lunch, I ordered patacones for a starter and the ahi tuna steak burger, with pickled onion and spicy pineapple chutney.

Even if you’re not staying at Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, you can still visit Playitas. They offer a day pass that includes access to beach chairs, towels, the pool, and showers, with the cost redeemable at the restaurant.

5. Swim & Kayak at Biesanz Beach

Biesanz Beach is a beautiful, calm, sandy cove nestled into the northern side of Quepos Point. 

To get there, follow the directions on Google Maps and park on the main road. As usual, a local will request a small payment to “watch your car.”

Then, follow the rocky path through the jungle (for about 5 minutes) down to the beach.

Get there first thing in the morning to get a great spot. This is the perfect place for a beach day.

Some locals have even set up shop, renting umbrellas and beach chairs, and selling drinks and snacks. However, there are plenty of trees offering free shade as well. You can also rent kayaks and explore the rocky coastline.

6. Go on a Day Trip to Nauyaca Waterfalls

Want to visit the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica? Yes. Yes, you do!

Located roughly 1.5 hours from Manuel Antonio, this half-day trip to the breathtaking Nauyaca Waterfalls is well worth your time.

Even though these waterfalls are a must on everyone’s Costa Rica itinerary, I have a feeling, they’ll exceed your expectations. Swimming in the huge lower pool of this this spectacular two-tiered waterfall, which drops almost 260 feet in total, is a magical experience.

If you have a Costa Rica rental car, you can easily drive yourself there. However, before you set off, you need to research and decide which experience you want to have. There are two different entrances to the park – this Nauyaca Waterfalls entrance and this second Nauyaca Waterfalls entrance; each is owned by a separate private company and offers a different experience. They’ll both get you to the same waterfalls and natural swimming pools, but the prices, trails, and shuttle options (if you don’t want to hike) are different. 

Otherwise, go for the convenient option. You can book this half-day guided tour to Nauyaca Waterfalls from Manuel Antonio, which includes a guide, transportation, the waterfall entrance fee, lunch, snacks, and water.

7. Go Ziplining Through the Rainforest

Zip-lining through the rainforest canopy in Manuel Antonio is a bucket list experience.

We had SO much fun zip-lining on this course, which includes the longest twin zip line in Central America (it’s 4,300 feet long!), fourteen tree platforms, three natural walks, and six hanging bridges. We also saw a three-toed sloth hanging down low on the trail above us. This experience includes round-trip transportation and traditional Tico lunch.

Click here to book your ziplining adventure.

8. Dine with Ocean Views

There are plenty of restaurants in Manuel Antonio featuring stunning ocean views, but El Avión is my favorite. The atmosphere is pretty cool too, considering it’s built into/atop an old airplane! I came here twice during my trip – once for a quick gallo pinto breakfast before my guided tour (they open at 6:30 AM) and once for dinner.

Some other options include Ronny’s Place, Rafaeles Las Terrazas, Agua Azul, and El Lagarto.

9. Sunset Stroll at Playa Espadilla Norte

The main beach in Manuel Antonio town, North Espadilla Beach, is a lovely beach for a sunset stroll.

Watch out for crocodiles, though – and no, I’m not kidding. The freshwater brook at the southern end of the beach features caution signs.

10. Go on a Night Jungle Tour in Rainmaker Conservation Park

This nighttime Manuel Antonio Jungle tour is another favorite! The tour explores the trails of Rainmaker Park at night in search of nocturnal animals, which includes a traditional Tico dinner and transportation.

In the rainforest at night, you can hope to see colorful snakes (like pit vipers), all kinds of tropical frogs, scorpions, kinkajous (“honey bears”), bats, tarantulas, owls, spiders, interesting insects, sleeping birds and mammals (like sloths!), and more.

Click here to book your night tour in Manuel Antonio.

11. Have Lunch at Falafel Bar

You have to eat lunch at Falafel Bar! This is one of the freshest, most delicious meals I’ve had in a long time. Not only is the falafel so good, but Falafel Bar makes its tahini from scratch (you can watch the machine grinding the sesame seeds), and the abundant self-serve salad bar is full of fresh lettuce, veggies, herbs, pickles, and sauces to dress up your falafel plate to your liking.

13. Go on a Chocolate Tour

A classic Costa Rica activity, at least once, you have to go on a chocolate and coffee farm tour to learn how cacao and coffee beans are cultivated and processed.

14. Go White-Water Rafting

Go on this white-water rafting adventure (featuring class II and III rapids) on the Savegre River!

15. Take a Surf Lesson

Want to learn how to surf? Serious surfers don’t consider Manuel Antonio one of Costa Rica’s hotspots (check out Playa Negra instead). But it’s great for beginners. Click here to book Manuel Antonio surf lessons.

16. Go on an ATV Adventure

Go off-roading on this ATV adventure through the jungle and local villages. Then, hike to a stunning waterfall and take a dip in the natural pool.

17. Kayak through the Mangroves at Damas Island

One of Costa Rica’s most important mangrove ecosystems is just north of Quepos: Damas Island. On this kayak tour, you’ll peacefully drift through the mangroves in search of wildlife – from aquatic birds to crocodiles. But remember, nature sightings are never guaranteed. Click here to book your Damas Island kayak experience.

Best Hotels in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

• Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort ($$$$): This beautiful resort offers direct beach access, swimming pools, and jungle walking trails. Click here to book Arenas Del Mar Resort.
• Makanda by the Sea – Adults Only ($$$$): Incredible rainforest-to-sea views, infinity pools, plush guest suites, and jungle-chic design are a few reasons why. It’s not beachfront, though. Click here to book Makanda by the Sea.
• Tulemar Resort ($$$): In 2026, Tulemar earned a Tripadvisor Best of the Best Gold Award. Nestled onto 33 acres of private rainforest, you can stay in a luxurious casa or a beachy bungalow to soak up the resort’s epic ocean views. Click here to book Tulemar Resort.
• Riverside Villas ($$): The spacious guest rooms at Riverside Villas have everything you need. Close to the secret El Salto Waterfall trailhead and just a 12-minute drive to the national park’s entrance. Click here to book Riverside Villas.
• Glamping Tomaselli ($$): I stayed here, and while it was a little rustic (that’s Costa Rica for you), there was an awesome outdoor shower, air conditioning, a mini-fridge, and a comfy bed. Click here to book Glamping Tomaselli.

How to Get to Manuel Antonio

Getting to Manuel Antonio from popular destinations like San José Airport, Liberia Airport, La Fortuna, Nosara, and Monteverde is pretty easy. Especially if you have a 4WD SUV rental car in Costa Rica.

Depending on your route, though, you may encounter rough dirt roads; they’re common in this country. 

As I mention in all of my Costa Rica guides, I highly recommend booking a rental car – specifically a 4WD SUV.

If you prefer to travel by shared or private shuttle, you can find bookable Manuel Antonio shuttle routes here!