Manuel Antonio: A Guide to One of Costa Rica’s Most Beautiful Destinations
Why Manuel Antonio?
Manuel Antonio checks all the boxes—ocean views, jungle landscapes, and mountain vistas, along with a vast array of activities. From surfing and scuba diving, to hot springs, hiking, zip-lining, white-water rafting, whale watching, parasailing, and waterfall tours. This small but vibrant town has it all!
How To Get There
Arrive in Costa Rica via the San Jose Airport. About 2-3 months prior to your arrival date, book a private transfer to Manuel Antonio, the one I used is linked below.
Where To Stay
Prices on accommodations are generally expensive in Costa Rica. I've gathered a few of my favourite options below that range from $130 to $180 CAD a night. Each location is centrally located within Manuel Antonio, so you're not far from restaurants, grocery stores, and banks/ATMs.
Where to Eat
Costa Rican dinning is nearly all open air cafes and restaurants, making each dinning experience all the more beautiful.
Breakfast & Lunch
Lunch & Dinner
Beaches
Playa Espadilla
Playa La Macha
Playa Biesanz
What To Do
Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a laid-back traveler, or perhaps a bit of both, Manuel Antonio has something for everyone! Below are the tours and experiences I recommend.
Sunset Cruise
PRO TIP: keep your eyes on the waters, and if you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some majestic humpback whales!
Full-Day Waterfall Tour
Visit the National Park
Most of Costa Rica's beaches feature large surf breaks, but Manuel Antonio Beach offers white sand and calm, crystal-clear waters—ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. Before hitting the beach, hike the beautiful jungle trails, and keep an eye out for sloths, monkeys, and iguanas!
PRO TIP: Leave your snacks at home. Due to the strict "no feeding" animals rule, park officials do not allow you to take your own food into the park. There is a small shop with sandwiches and snacks that you can purchase when you get hungry. Bringing your own water is allowed!
Jungle Buggy Tour
Take a ride through the jungle in an open-air Jeep, complete with a cooler and stereo system.
Surfing
Book a surfing lesson with Blue Horizon Surf Camp. Even if you’ve never tried surfing, this camp is perfect for beginners!
More to Do?
Looking for more things to fill your days with? Visit the link below to explore more tours and excursions!
A Few Things to Note
Weather
Costa Rica experiences rain for over half the year, particularly from May to December. Plan your visit outside these months for clear skies and sunshine. Want to save? Travel to Costa Rica during the rainy season for discounts on most accommodations.
Getting Around
A local bus line runs from Quepos (a small town 8 mins from Manuel Antonio) to Manuel Antonio National Park. You can only pay for bus service in colones, each one way trip is about 380 colones. To locate bus stops, use the Moovit: Public Transit Tracking app. You can also hail a taxi for longer trips if you prefer. The authorized and safe-to-use taxis in Manuel Antonio are red with a yellow triangle displayed on the sides. A trip from Manuel Antonio to Quepos is generally 4000-6000 colones, that's about $10 - $15 CAD.
Groceries
Supermarkets in Manuel Antonio are expensive. For groceries, head to Quepos and shop at some of the cheaper supermarkets like Mini Price Store, or visit the local farmers market that happens near the waterfront on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. If grabbing groceries in Manuel Antonio, visit the Super Joseth for a good variety of items.
Currency
The currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (colones). Many shops and restaurants accept both colones and USD. If you're from Canada, like me, you may find it makes most sense take along some colones, for things like the bus and farmers market, and then take along USD as well since it's the slightly cheaper currency option.
Your Set!
That covers all the details! If you have any questions about planning your trip to Costa Rica, let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @jess.ruttan and send me a DM, I’d be happy to chat more about your travels!
Don't want the hassle of planning your own trip to Costa Rica? Take a look at my Custom Itinerary services and get your entire trip planned for you, complete with recommendations that match your budget and interests!
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