DESTINATION

Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica · Puntarenas Province

White-sand coves framed by primary rainforest. Manuel Antonio National Park has the highest wildlife-per-square-kilometre in the country — sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys, iguanas, and toucans within an hour's loop. Central Pacific coast, three hours from SJO. Peak season December–April.

28° / 25°

30° / 25°

30° / 26°

Overview

The Pacific's most photographed national park — rainforest tumbling straight into white-sand coves.

Manuel Antonio National Park packs three coves, four trails, and a chunk of primary rainforest into less than 7 square kilometres, which is why it's Costa Rica's most-visited park. Sloths sleep in cecropia trees over the path, squirrel monkeys raid picnics, and the white-sand beaches inside the park rival anywhere in the Caribbean.

Manuel Antonio NP — book entry online, arrive at 7am for wildlife and quiet beaches
Quepos — the working base town, restaurants and sportfishing marina
Sloths & monkeys — squirrel, white-faced capuchin, howler, and three-toed sloths
Beaches inside the park — Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Playita
Sunset at El Avión — the converted Fairchild C-123 cargo plane on a hilltop

Best time to visit

December through April is the prime window — sunny coastline, calm seas, and full park access. September and October are the wettest stretch but also the greenest and least crowded. Book park-entry tickets in advance from Christmas through Easter.