Manuel Antonio National Park

Great place to see sloths and monkeys. The path is level and an easy walk most of the way. I was able to do it even with a knee injury and going at a slow pace. Beware of guides charging for tours. We were charged for a 2 hour tour that only lasted an hour. You will definitely need a guide with a scope so do your research and use a reputable tour guide service or get them once you enter the park.The beach is about about an hour walk into the park and you can not bring in food..drinks...sunscreen..check the list online before you go. It is best to bring a refillable water bottle with water in it as you are not allowed to bring in bottled water and buying food or water there is challenging. There is only one stand for the entire park and the line was ridiculously long. The beach is okay for a few quick pictures, but not anywhere I'd stay for an extended time. The sand area is not very wide so you risk having all your stuff get wet when waves come in. This happened to several family's in the short time I was there. The beach is also mostly covered in branches, twigs and dead leaves. The waves coming in can be rough and it was pretty crowded for a small beach. Overall definitely do the trails with a guide if you are looking to see any nature.

Very beautiful place with easy trails. The beaches are really beautiful and preserved. Just some trails and points should have more signs and directions. You can't get in the park with any kind of food, nor plastic disposal bottle But there is a snack bar in the middle of all. There are some good toilets and changing rooms on the trails too.

Gorgeous place!! It is a must if you go plan to come to this part of Costa Rica. If you are a history and biology lover, you will enjoy the National Park paid-tour. Otherwise, I’d recommend to just pay to enter the park, enjoy the walk so you can get to the beach. There, you will see Monkeys around you. Beware they might steal your food, but it’s a great experience.

We saw incredible wildlife and swam at lovely beaches! You must buy park tickets online in advance. $13 I think. We had to pay for parking too. In June it wasn’t as terribly crowded as we had been warned. It’s a national park after all, so it was slightly busy but not terrible. I recommend arriving by the 7am opening to avoid crowds and oppressive heat. The guide we hired for the first 2 hours of our visit was the best $30/pp we’ve ever spent. He spotted so many animals we never would have seen, was super knowledgeable, and let us look and take incredible pictures through his powerful scope. We wore long sleeves/pants but there really weren’t any mosquitoes and we did get quite hot. The beaches were a bit crowded but lovely. Don’t forget your swimsuit, towel, and flip flops! I recommend the lollipop trail down by the beaches, as it is where you will see dozens of white-faced capuchin monkeys at close range. You are not allowed to bring food into the park but the food there was terrible, like really bad, and around lunchtime the line got crazy long. There is potable water.

The lush rainforest is absolutely filled with life vibrant tropical plants, towering trees, and an incredible variety of animals. In just a few hours, we saw sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and colorful frogs. I highly recommend hiring a local guide; they have a sharp eye and spotting scope that helps you see animals you’d definitely miss on your own. The park also features some of the most stunning beaches I’ve ever seen. Soft white sand, turquoise water, and the perfect mix of shade and sun; ideal for a swim or just relaxing after your hike. It’s the perfect combination of adventure and paradise. Don’t miss it!

Can't wait to bring my daughter!! It's just beautiful all around! Forest and beach in one trip! Can't beat it! Plan on being there all day. No plastics, no outside food, no aerosols, be sure to read up so you're prepared! Such a great spot to visit. Highly recommend!!

An absolute highlight of my 2 week trip to Costa Rica. It’s a spectacular place that you absolutely have to visit. The beaches are stunning, and the entire site is incredibly well looked after. All the paths were very clearly marked, and there were plenty of toilets and water fountains to refill bottles. The nature is absolutely astounding. Without a guide, we managed to see 3 different types of monkey, toucans, iguanas and a variety of birds. Make sure you pre-book your tickets in advance, and be aware you can’t take plastic bottles or food inside - but there is a cafe on-site for food.

Highly recommended to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, and quite affordable. All belongings are checked to ensure no food is brought in. The walk is quite easy, and it's advidable to hire a guide to spot animals (make sure they are licensed - the price is not fixed, so negotiate), they will only accompany you part of the trail, but It’s the park where we’ve seen the most wildlife on our own. Well-maintained, with very pleasant beaches in which you can relax. It gets quite crowded, and the on-site 'restaurant' is packed and expensive. Upon arrival, note that the park itself doesn’t have its own parking lot, so locals take advantage of visitors — they initially asked us for 3,000 colones (€5), but ended up demanding 5,000 colones (€9) just to park on the street.