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Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica travel guide

What to see in Manuel Antonio

Rainforest that reaches the sea, with monkeys, sloths and white-sand beaches.

Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 6 must-see places
  • Best time: from December to April
  • Stay in Quepos
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Rauldmo assumed (based on copyright claims) · Public domain

Manuel Antonio highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Manuel Antonio National Park

    Coastal rainforest with monkeys and beaches.

  2. Manuel Antonio Beach

    A sheltered beach inside the national park.

  3. Espadilla Beach

    A long public beach next to the park.

  4. Punta Catedral

    A headland with a loop trail and viewpoints.

  5. Biesanz Beach

    A quiet cove for swimming and snorkelling.

  6. Nauyaca Waterfalls

    Nearby waterfalls, a day trip from Quepos.

Where to stay in Manuel Antonio

The handiest areas for getting around and going out.

  • Recommended areas

    Quepos · Manuel Antonio · Espadilla Beach

Day trips from Manuel Antonio

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Manuel Antonio

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Manuel Antonio are from December to April. If you can, avoid September, October (green season (rains)).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May with warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov with warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • from May to November

    Green season (rains)

    From May to November it rains almost every afternoon; September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side (the Caribbean works the other way round).

    What to do: Do excursions in the morning; in September and October, the Caribbean side (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero) is usually better.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: the soda (a local eatery). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Costa Rica guide.

Frequently asked questions about Manuel Antonio

What to see in Manuel Antonio?

Manuel Antonio National Park, Manuel Antonio Beach, Espadilla Beach, Punta Catedral, Biesanz Beach and Nauyaca Waterfalls.

What to see in Manuel Antonio in one day?

Don’t miss Manuel Antonio National Park, Manuel Antonio Beach, Espadilla Beach, Punta Catedral, Biesanz Beach and Nauyaca Waterfalls. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

Where to stay in Manuel Antonio?

The handiest areas to stay are Quepos, Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Beach.

What’s the best time to travel to Manuel Antonio?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Manuel Antonio are from December to April. If you can, avoid September, October (green season (rains)).

What day trips can you take from Manuel Antonio?

The park with a guide.

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Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.