Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio: Pacific Rainforest Meets the Shoreline

Manuel Antonio sits on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, roughly 180 km southwest of San José along the Costanera Sur highway. The town wraps around Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the smallest yet most biodiverse protected areas in the country, covering 683 hectares of rainforest, coral reef, and four white-sand beaches. Three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and scarlet macaws are commonly sighted within meters of the park entrance on the Punta Catedral peninsula.

Visitors arrive for wildlife, surf, and hiking. The park's trail network connects Playa Espadilla Sur, Playa Manuel Antonio, and Playa Biesanz — each accessible on foot from the main road through Quepos, the service town 7 km north. Quepos also houses the marina, where sport-fishing charters depart year-round. Hotels concentrate along the hillside road between Quepos and the park, offering forest-canopy views toward the Pacific.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Shared shuttles from San José run daily; the journey takes about 3.5 hours.
• Park entry: Manuel Antonio National Park closes Tuesdays; online reservation required in high season (December–April).
• Weather: The dry season runs December to April; the green season brings heavy afternoon rain but fewer crowds.
• Pack: Waterproof sandals and insect repellent are standard gear for park trails.