Manuel Antonio National Park

This is a beautiful national park located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of Quepos, Puntarenas. It is the smallest among Costa Rican national parks, with a land area of 1,983 ha. The park was established in 1972 by the local community, who sought to conserve the natural environment and protested beach restrictions on locals by foreign owners. The park receives around 150,000 visitors annually and is famous for its stunning beaches and hiking trails. In 2011, Forbes listed Manuel Antonio among the world’s 12 most beautiful national parks.

The park features impressive landscapes and several coves with white-sand beaches and lush foliage amidst great mountains and forests that reach the beaches. It is located in a tropical forest known for its excellent climate and scenic beauty. To support visitors, the park is developing adequate infrastructure and emphasizing harmony with nature to reduce visual impact and follow strict environmental protection. The park has several buildings designed by renowned bioclimatic architects Ibo Bonilla and Rafael Víquez, including the Visitor Centre and the Casa de Guarda Parques. The park is also accessible to people in wheelchairs.

The park contains four beaches: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Tesoro, and Playita. The first beach is separated from the second by a «tombolo,» or natural land bridge formed by sand accumulations. Both Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur contain tidal pools and offer snorkeling opportunities. Precaution must be taken while swimming, as rip currents do occur.

The park’s main access road is through Route 618 from Quepos. The park is open daily except Tuesdays and holidays, such as Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. SINAC is the sole seller of park admissions, and tickets can only be bought online with a valid ID.

Manuel Antonio National Park main trails.

Manuel Antonio National Park boasts ten different trails, which visitors can easily explore. The Main Trail and the Perezoso Trail are the most popular and well-worn routes, taking visitors from the entrance to the beach. Along these trails, you can easily spot animals. However, we recommend that you also explore other paths, such as the ones leading to the waterfalls, Playa Gemelas, or Puerto Escondido.
These routes are quieter and offer a peaceful and tranquil experience, allowing you to enjoy the exuberant nature of Manuel Antonio National Park.

The first trail you will find when leaving the park keepers’ station is called the El Manglar path. This trail has a raised platform that is suitable for all audiences, especially for people with reduced mobility, as the platform is wide and stable. There are also benches where you can rest while walking along the path.

If you continue along the platform that leads you through the El Manglar trail, you will eventually reach another path called the La Catarata path. If you choose to stay on the El Manglar path, there is a fork to the right that will take you to the mangroves and the beautiful South Espadilla beach. If you follow the straight path instead of heading towards the mangroves, you will reach the Perezoso Trail. This is a popular route as it leads to Manuel Antonio Beach, and although the trail is paved and has a slightly steeper section, it is an easy walk of about 580 meters.

Next to the El Manglar trail is the main path, which is a wide dirt road that leads to the same point as the El Manglar or Sendero Perezoso trails, near the main beach. This trail is often used by guides who work with large groups because it is wide and spacious.

The Sloth trail takes you deeper into the forest, where you can see sloths hiding in the trees. At the end of the trail, there is a fork that will take you to Manuel Antonio Beach, as well as other trails. It is interesting to enter through the main path and exit through it.

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