Manuel Antonio

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Manuel Antonio National Park
No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

5.8
5.0/5
6 reviews
Manuel Antonio National Park packs tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, and abundant wildlife into a compact area. Covering approximately 6.82 square kilometers, it is one of the smaller yet most popular national parks in Costa Rica. The park is home to hundreds of mammal and bird species: white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and howler monkeys leap through the canopy; brown-throated three-toed sloths and Hoffmann's two-toed sloths move slowly while hanging from high branches; and toucans, iguanas, and coatis often appear along the trails. The animals here are accustomed to human presence, so the chance of encountering monkey troops along the trails during the day is quite high. The park is best experienced through a combination of hiking and beach time. The main trail is flat and easy to walk, connecting several beaches surrounded by rainforest. Among them, Manuel Antonio Beach has calm bay waters, making it suitable for swimming. The Cathedral Point loop leads to a highland that was once an island, now connected to the mainland by a natural tombolo. Along the way, multiple observation decks offer views of the Pacific Ocean and nearby small islands. Near the entrance, there is an elevated mangrove boardwalk called El Manglar, which is approx. 784 m long and easy to traverse. Additionally, sloths and squirrel monkeys are well-camouflaged; if you want to spot more animals, it is recommended to slow down and keep an eye on the canopy.Quepos · 1.1km from Manuel Antonio
El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour

El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour

3.3
Quepos · 1.6km from Manuel Antonio
Espadilla Beach

Espadilla Beach

2.7
Quepos · 2km from Manuel Antonio
National Theater of Costa Rica
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

National Theater of Costa Rica

6
4.9/5
8 reviews
National Theater of Costa Rica is a Neoclassical-style theater. Its opening performance was Gounod's opera "Faust". Construction funds mainly came from taxes levied on coffee exports at the time, and this theater, born from the coffee trade, embodies the memories of Costa Rica's golden age of coffee. The theater has an elegant exterior, with statues of playwright Calderón de la Barca and composer Beethoven standing on the main facade, while the three sculptures on the roof symbolize dance, music, and fame, respectively. The interior is even more magnificent than the exterior: marble staircases with gold decorations, crystal chandeliers, exquisite sculptures, and 19th-century-style furniture can be found throughout the halls, and the auditorium can accommodate 1,140 seats. The ceiling mural "Allegory of Coffee and Bananas" was painted by Milanese artist Aleardo Villa and depicts the scene of coffee and banana cultivation and export at that time. This painting was once printed on the Costa Rican 5-colón banknote. The theater remains an active performance venue today, with groups such as the National Symphony Orchestra performing here year-round. The theater is located right next to the Plaza de la Cultura, and downtown attractions such as theGold Museumare within walking distance.San Jose · 59.4km from Manuel Antonio
Arenal Volcano National Park
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National Park

6.7
4.8/5
15 reviews
Arenal Volcano Park is located in Arenal Reserve. There are actually two volcanoes in this national park, Arenal Volcano with a height of 1633 meters and Chato Volcano with a height of 1140 meters. The latter has been active for nearly 3500 years. A collapsed crater and a beautiful lagoon. In contrast, Arenal Volcano is a very active volcano in Costa Rica. It erupted in 1968 and 1973. Until July 2010, the eruptions of large and small volcanoes continued, and the severity was much lower, but almost every day. There was smoke and lava coming out.Costa Rica · La Fortuna
Poás Volcano National Park

Poás Volcano National Park

6.1
3.0/5
1 reviews
Poás Volcano National Parkfeatures the active Poás Volcano as its centerpiece, with an elevation of approx. 2,700m, and the summit houses a massive main crater. Standing at the viewing platform, you can look down at the volcanic lake named 'Laguna Caliente': its surface shimmers with a mix of milky white and blue-green hues, constantly churning with sulfurous smoke, with liquid sulfur settled at the bottom. In stark contrast to the scorching main crater is Botos Lake on the south side: it lies quietly in a crater that has been dormant for thousands of years, with cool, emerald-green water surrounded by cloud forests. Along the forest trail to the lake, hummingbirds and toucans often flit through branches draped in moss and epiphytes, and you may occasionally encounter resplendent quetzals and Poás magnolias.Poas · 88.3km from Manuel Antonio
Palo Seco Beach

Palo Seco Beach

2.3
Parrita · 16.9km from Manuel Antonio
Birding Spots Manuel Antonio

Birding Spots Manuel Antonio

1.8
Naranjito · 10.8km from Manuel Antonio
Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano

5.7
5.0/5
1 reviews
Arenal Volcano has an elevation of approx. 1,633m, with a nearly symmetrical conical shape. The town of La Fortuna at the foot of the mountain is the gateway to visiting this area. It is a relatively young volcano, formed approx. 7,000 years ago. It erupted suddenly on July 29, 1968, destroying villages such as Tabacón at the foot of the mountain, and remained active for over 40 years thereafter. The sight of lava flowing slowly down the slopes and lighting up the night sky once drew many tourists to wait specifically for it. The volcano entered a dormant phase in 2010 and no longer spews magma today, but its perfectly shaped conical silhouette remains striking. On clear days, when viewed from the foot of the mountain, the dark rock walls contrast with the clouds and mist on the mountainside. Within the national park established around the volcano, multiple trails pass through the lava wasteland left by the 1968 eruption and the regrown rainforest, with greenery emerging from the crevices of the black volcanic rocks. You can often encounter howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and toucans along the way. Volcanic geothermal heat also warms the natural hot springs at the foot of the mountain; soaking in the hot springs after a hike while looking up at the silhouette of the volcano is a common experience in this area. The nearby Lake Arenal has vast waters, suitable for birdwatching and water activities such as kayaking. The top of the volcano is often covered by clouds; there is less cloud cover in the early morning, giving a better chance to see the full mountain.Costa Rica · La Fortuna
Fortuna Waterfall
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Fortuna Waterfall

5.6
5.0/5
7 reviews
Fortuna Waterfall is located in a rainforest canyon in San Carlos, approx. 5.5 km from the town of La Fortuna, at the foothills of the dormant Chato Volcano. Originating from theArenal Mountain Range, the Río Fortuna plunges approx. 70 m from the cliff edge, falling straight into the deep blue pool below. The sound of the water is deafening, and mist fills the air. The surrounding cliffs are covered in dense tropical vegetation. To view the waterfall, you need to walk down the steps to the bottom of the canyon, which involves over 500 steps round trip. There are platforms along the way for resting, and the trail passes through pastures and rainforest, where you may have the chance to encounter animals such as toucans and monkeys. Visitors who do not plan to walk the entire way can also overlook the full view of the waterfall from the viewing platform above. There is an open area at the bottom of the valley for taking photos, and you can also swim in designated areas to experience the cool, clear river water. The current is strong directly beneath the waterfall, so be sure to stay within the designated swimming areas. The return trip requires climbing back up the same way, which is physically demanding, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and allow plenty of time.Costa Rica · La Fortuna

Experiences you can't miss in Manuel Antonio

Featured Food & drink in Manuel Antonio

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Chocolate, Vanilla and Coffee Tour
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Duration: 5.5 hrs
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San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
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4.9/5
· 912 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
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From£ 27.78
San Jose City Tour and central Market with local food
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Duration: 150 mins
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From£ 56.31
Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
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5% off
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From£ 67.43£ 70.98
Coffee Farm tour, Poas Volcano Park and La Paz Waterfall
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San Jose: Food Tour at the Central Market
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
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San José by Night: Food, Drinks & Local Culture Tour
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Duration: 4 hrs
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Featured Outdoor experiences in Manuel Antonio

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Manuel Antonio surf lessons
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5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
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5% off
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From£ 49.22£ 51.82
Manuel Antonio Park: Guided Tour + TICKET INCLUDED option
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4.9/5
· 388 reviews
Duration: 2–2.5 hrs
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From£ 16.56£ 17.44
Manuel Antonio National Park: Guided Tour with option for ENTRANCE FEE INCLUDED
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4.9/5
· 1.4k reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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Guided hike through the Manuel Antonio jungle, TICKET INCLUDED
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
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Manuel Antonio night tour VIP
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Duration: 2.5 hrs
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Manuel Antonio Night Jungle Tour
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Manuel Antonio: Jungle Night Tour and Buttlerfly Garden
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Duration: 2 hrs
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Night Tour with Dayana in French: Manuel Antonio
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
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From£ 42.74£ 44.99

Featured Cultural experiences in Manuel Antonio

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Manuel Antonio Villa Vanilla spice tour
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5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 3 hrs
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Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour
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4.9/5
· 2.5k reviews
Duration: 90 mins
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San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
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Duration: 1.5 hrs
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Vista Los Sueños: Cacao Plantation & Chocolate Tasting
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5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
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Guided Walking Street Art & Graffiti Tour in Jaco Costa Rica
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5.0/5
· 26 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
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What travellers say about Manuel Antonio

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YoYo_1I8Q7O5O1 December 2025
5.0
Wandering through the rainforest trails of Manuel Antonio National Park, the calls of howler monkeys sounded like fruit tossed from the depths of the green curtain. Suddenly, a three-toed sloth yawned, clinging to a tree trunk; raindrops fell slowly from its eyelashes, as if time itself had been slowed down. While splashing in the waves at Espadilla Sur beach, white-faced capuchins secretly stole my sunscreen from behind—they perched on coconut palm branches, squeezing out a dollop of milky white paste and diligently applying it to their paws. At sunset, iguanas struck silhouettes of ancient warriors on the rocks, while violet frigatebirds cut the evening glow into courtship banners. As the rangers closed the suspension bridge, looking back, I saw fireflies lighting up one by one in the mangroves, like a star map left behind on earth.

Manuel Antonio National Park

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Gavin-Beijing4 February 2020
5.0
The pure natural landscape is extremely beautiful, pristine and pollution-free. It is the Switzerland of Latin America, with Tabacon Hot Springs, Irazu Volcano, Waterfall Park, Blue River Forest Park, etc. You will never want to leave after visiting here!

National Theater of Costa Rica

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南美当地向导Yolanda16 February 2020
5.0
We welcome tourists to the Arenal Volcano Park. It is so enjoyable to soak in the volcanic hot springs. Costa Rica is really a fairy-like country! There are more than 270 volcanoes here. The most famous one is the Arenal Volcano, which is located near La Fortuna, a well-known tourist destination in northern Costa Rica. It had a devastating eruption in 1968 and entered a long-term dormant state after 2010. It is now a national park for tourists to visit. On the way to the volcano, you can see many small ants moving in groups with mini leaves on their backs. Walking to the observation deck, the view here is very good. There is always a cloud of mist around the crater, and it is surrounded by cloud forests. There is a restaurant next to it, where you can have a drink and look at the volcano. The scenery here is too suitable for wide-angle, enjoy pure life pura vida! ❤️For more local fun in Costa Rica, please consult me!

Arenal Volcano National Park

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criskotsu16 June 2022
5.0
Arenal is wonderful. During winter is hard to see the full cone without mist, or even some clastic material falling down at night. However, it’s a gorgeous location to visit anytime of the year, close to San Jose even for one-day trip

Arenal Volcano

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乖小咪21 August 2019
5.0
La Fortuna Falls in Costa Rica is a very spectacular waterfall. Although it is not very wide, it has a large amount of water. The mist stirred up by the waterfall is very large, like a fairyland. Many tourists are swimming in the pool below, very happy.

Fortuna Waterfall

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Manuel Antonio?

Don't miss these attractions in Manuel Antonio: Manuel Antonio National Park, El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour, and Espadilla Beach. If you like Spa & wellness, try Costa Rica San Jose round-trip Arenal volcano rainforest hot spring 1-day tour. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Chocolate, Vanilla and Coffee Tour.

You can give Chocolate, Vanilla and Coffee Tour and Costa Rica San Jose Poas volcano coffee plantation and La Paz waterfall 1-day tour a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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