🌿 The Truth Is… Not Every Trip Becomes a Memory for Life
You came to Costa Rica looking for more than just a vacation.
You’re searching for awe, connection, natural beauty, discovery — a story worth telling.
But here’s a secret most won’t tell you:
Not every trip to Manuel Antonio becomes that kind of story.
After more than 20 years offering guided tours in Manuel Antonio National Park, I’ve seen it all:
Visitors getting lost, arriving late or without valid tickets. Some walk the trails alone and see nothing but trees. Others unknowingly put themselves at risk — swimming in the wrong spots or approaching wildlife unsafely.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
True ecotourism in Costa Rica is all about timing and awareness.
Wildlife follows natural rhythms — habits, territories, and active hours all matter.
If you don’t know the signs, you’ll walk right past the magic.
But if you walk with someone who does… you’ll witness the unforgettable.
🦥 Why Take a Guided Tour in Manuel Antonio?
As a certified naturalist guide by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), I don’t just point out animals — I connect you to the living soul of the forest.
You’ll see what others miss.
You’ll hear the jungle’s secret language.
You’ll leave with photos and memories that few ever experience.
This isn’t just a walk through the park.
It’s a wildlife watching experience filled with connection and meaning.
🌱 Why I Came Back — With the Sloths
So whether you choose to walk with me or another ICT-certified professional, promise me one thing:
Don’t go in unprepared.
This park shares its secrets only with those who know how to listen.
In 2001, I returned to Costa Rica after three years abroad, chasing what many call “the dream” — trying to escape the so-called “third world.”
But something inside me was missing.
And the moment I set foot back home, I felt it clearly:
I hadn’t just left a country — I had left my roots.
So I made myself a promise:
I would reconnect with every hidden corner of this land.
Not as a tourist, but as someone longing to feel truly alive.
And then I found it.
Manuel Antonio National Park.
Even though I had grown up with a forest in my backyard, this place struck me like lightning.
A green oasis nestled between the Pacific Ocean and endless rows of palm trees, bursting with life I had never seen before.
Here, I found something deeper than beauty — I found meaning.
A mystical humid forest, home to nearly 2,000 species of native plants and a symphony of life:
Happy monkeys, of all shapes and sizes, swinging through vines and epiphytes.
Mysterious sloths, staring down gently as if sharing a secret joy — the joy of living in a small paradise.
Toucans, trogons, and hummingbirds, showing off in bursts of color and flight.
Crabs, dancing between rocks, fleeing from coatis always on the hunt.
Insects, glowing with the colors of a rainbow, like a painting left by a divine hand.
That day, my path was clear.
I made this place my home.
I moved to Manuel Antonio and became a certified naturalist guide in 2002, then an international Costa Rica guide in 2020.
Since then, I’ve had the honor of sharing these wonders with thousands of visitors from all over the world.
And no matter where they come from, the reaction is always the same.
Nature stirs something deep inside us.
It reminds us that we belong. That we’re alive. That we are part of something greater.
Every time I guide someone through this forest, I witness a transformation —
A reconnection, a smile, a sense of peace.
And I know, just like the sloths watching quietly from the trees above…
I came back to the right place.
Minor guiding at Manuel Antonio Beach
🌟 Legends of the Jungle – Meet the Park’s Most Magical Creatures
Get to know the iconic animals of Manuel Antonio on your next tropical wildlife tour in Costa Rica.
🌿 Three-Toed Sloth
The King of the “Wow Effect” – Costa Rica’s Peaceful Soul
He doesn’t speak… but somehow, he moves your soul.
Whether he makes you smile, laugh, or even cry, the three-toed sloth does it all in silence — with that ever-present gentle grin and a peaceful aura that feels like he’s been saying Pura Vida since time began.
Gliding slowly through the trees like a monk of the jungle, he reminds us of something we often forget:
To breathe. To slow down. To simply be.
More than just an animal, he has become a symbol of Costa Rica’s peaceful spirit — officially declared a National Symbol of Costa Rica in 2021.
If you’re lucky enough to meet him during your wildlife tour in Manuel Antonio, don’t rush.
Just look up… and feel.
🦜 Fiery-Billed Aracari
The Forest’s Living Flame – A Jewel You’ll Never Forget Aracari
Some creatures burn their way into memory.
The first time you see a Fiery-Billed Aracari is one of those moments.
This small toucan, painted in vibrant flames of orange, yellow, and red, flies like a brushstroke of fire across the trees.
You’ll find it during your birdwatching tour in Manuel Antonio, perched between light and shadow — surreal, elegant, unforgettable.
And when your eyes meet its gaze, it’s not just beauty you see.
It’s wonder. It’s privilege. It’s magic.
🐒 White-Faced Capuchin Monkey
The Jungle Trickster – Curious, Clever, and Always Watching
He sees you before you see him.
High in the rainforest canopy, full of energy and brilliant instincts, the white-faced capuchin is more than a monkey —
He’s the mischievous genius of the Costa Rican jungle.
They travel in tight social groups, with their own language of gestures and calls.
Always alert, always testing, sometimes playful — and sometimes too clever for their own good.
If you hear leaves rustle above… look up.
You’re being watched.
🐵 Howler Monkey
The Forest’s Voice – Master of Calm, Guardian of Sound
You may not see him… but you will definitely hear him.
High in the trees, stretched like a hammock, the howler monkey lives with calm, grace, and silence —
Until it’s time to speak.
His voice echoes through the rainforest like thunder, claiming territory, greeting the dawn, or warning others.
It’s one of the loudest calls in the animal kingdom.
To experience it on a jungle hike in Manuel Antonio is to feel the jungle’s heartbeat.
He teaches us something rare:
You can be still — and still be powerful.
🐤 Yellow-Throated Toucan
The Elegant Thief – Beauty with a Predator’s Eye
He looks like a royal painting: a vibrant beak, a posture of elegance, and stunning color.
But don’t be fooled.
This toucan is not just a fruit-lover.
With precision and stealth, he raids nests and feeds on eggs and chicks.
It’s not cruelty — it’s the balance of the wild.
If you see him during your tour, admire him.
But remember: behind that beak is a brilliant survivor.
🦥 Two-Toed Sloth
The Forest Dreamer – Silent, Gentle, and Wrapped in Moonlight
Not all sloths are the same.
While most visitors know the smiling, sun-loving three-toed sloth, Manuel Antonio also shelters his shy cousin: the two-toed sloth.
With long blond fur and a sweet, pig-like nose, this nocturnal wanderer drifts through treetops under moonlight—so quiet you’ll miss him without an expert’s eye. Spotting one on a nocturnal wildlife tour in Costa Rica feels like discovering a hidden poem the forest wrote just for you.
Slow down, listen to the night sounds, and let the dreamer reveal himself.
🐿️ Squirrel Monkey
The Jungle Acrobat – Tiny Body, Big Energy, Wild Heart
They weigh barely a kilo, but their spirit fills the canopy.
Squirrel monkeys race from branch to branch in joyful chaos—living fireworks of the rainforest. Troops of up to sixty communicate with chirps, gestures, and playful antics.
Join a family-friendly wildlife experience in Manuel Antonio and watch them hunt insects, fruit, and even tiny lizards with lightning precision. You’ll leave grinning, reminded that pure joy can be as small as a fist and as loud as laughter through the leaves.
🟦 Blue-Crowned Motmot
The Spirit of the Forest – A Legend in Feathers and Silence
Local lore says Sibú, the great creator, punished the motmot for hiding from its duties—cursing it with beauty so haunting it must wander forever in silence.
On a bird-watching tour in Costa Rica, glimpsing that emerald-turquoise plumage and racquet-shaped tail feels unreal; time seems to pause. The motmot rarely sings, preferring to let its colors do the talking. When you see one, you’re not just birding—you’re touching a living legend.
🐍 Eyelash Viper
The Beautiful Danger – Hidden, Patient, and Striking with Elegance
In a rainforest that drips with life, the eyelash viper is quiet perfection.
Coiled on a branch—sometimes neon yellow, sometimes moss green—it waits, lashes above its eyes like tiny crowns. Its stillness lures prey and photographers alike.
Encountering this serpent on a rainforest reptile-watching walk in Manuel Antonio is equal parts thrill and reverence; it reminds us that beauty and danger often share the same scales. Admire from a respectful distance, capture the shot of a lifetime, and feel your heart pound with wild respect.
🧭 Frequently Asked Questions about Manuel Antonio National Park
Everything you need to plan the perfect visit to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks.
❓ What are the most popular tours in Manuel Antonio?
The most requested activities include:
🌿 Guided nature tours in Manuel Antonio National Park
🛶 Mangrove boat and kayak tours
🐋 Catamaran whale and dolphin watching
🎣 Ocean fishing trips
🌲 Zipline canopy adventures
🌊 Whitewater rafting
🚜 ATV jungle tours
There’s something for every kind of traveler — from nature lovers to thrill seekers.
❓ Where to stay in Manuel Antonio?
You’ll find a wide range of hotels, ecolodges, and hostels in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area.
Tip: If you’re visiting during the high season (November to April, or July to August), book early — accommodations fill up quickly.
❓ Where to eat in Manuel Antonio?
There are hundreds of restaurants and local cafés to suit every taste and budget.
Many offer ocean views, seafood specialties, and international cuisine.
🍽️ We recommend booking your table at least one day in advance during busy seasons.
❓ How far is Manuel Antonio from San José?
Manuel Antonio is located 167 km (104 miles) from Costa Rica’s capital, San José.
🚗 It takes approximately 3 hours by car, depending on traffic.
❓ How do I get from San José to Manuel Antonio?
The easiest way is by car:
Take Route 27 from San José to Orotina
Then follow Route 34 (Costanera Sur) to Quepos
From Quepos, it’s a 15-minute drive to Manuel Antonio
Other options:
🚌 Public buses (from Tracopa station in San José)
✈️ Local flights to Quepos airport
🚐 Private shuttles or shared transfers
❓ Where is Manuel Antonio National Park located?
The park is in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica, near the town of Quepos, in the province of Puntarenas.
❓ How much is the entrance ticket to Manuel Antonio Park?
🎟️ For international visitors:
$18.08 USD (ages 12 and up)
$5.65 USD (ages 2–11)
Free for children under 2
Tickets must be purchased online in advance at the official SINAC website:
👉 https://serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr/
❓ What can I bring into the park?
✅ Allowed items:
Drinks in reusable containers (no plastic bottles)
Cream-based mosquito repellent and sunscreen
Snorkeling gear
Ponchos or umbrellas
Closed-toe shoes, hats, and sunglasses
🚫 Not allowed:
Food or snacks
Alcohol, cigarettes
Disposable plastics
Drones, speakers, surfboards, beach umbrellas
❓ How long can I stay inside the park?
🕖 Opening hours: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🏖️ Manuel Antonio Beach closes at 3:00 PM
🚪 Last entrance allowed at 3:00 PM
❓ Where is the main beach?
The main beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is located inside the park, about a 30-minute walk from the entrance through scenic forest trails.
🦎 Our Guided Nature Tour
Manuel Antonio National Park – 2-Hour Guided Wildlife Experience
Embark on an unforgettable nature hike in Costa Rica’s most famous national park.
Our tour is designed to help you spot, photograph, and learn about the diverse tropical wildlife — from grasshoppers to sloths, monkeys, toucans, and even crocodiles.
🌿 What’s included:
A passionate, certified naturalist guide
Use of professional spotting scopes for close-up views
Insightful commentary on flora, fauna, and Costa Rican culture
🌊 Scenic highlights:
Lush jungle trails
Ocean viewpoints
A beautiful finish at Manuel Antonio Beach, where you can relax or swim
📍 Meeting Point:
In front of Joseth Supermarket, next to the park entrance in Manuel Antonio town.
Arrive by car (parking available), taxi, or bus.
💵 Tour Price:
$25 per person (ages 12 and up)
$15 per child (ages 3 to 11)
Free for children under 3
🎟️ Important: Park entrance ticket is not included and must be purchased online in advance.
🧳 Recommended to bring:
Tennis or hiking shoes
Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses and hat
Poncho or hand umbrella
Cream-based mosquito repellent and sunscreen
Towel and swimsuit if you plan to swim
📞 Contact us today to book your tour!
“Six of us (all adults) visited Manuel Antonio Nat Park for a day in March 2016. We hired Minor Hildago to be our naturalist & guide and he was FABULOUS! He speaks English and Spanish well. He carries a tri-pod spotting scope so that you can see every detail and can put your camera to the scope for some great pictures. He knew about all the flora and fauna, animals, insects, beaches, and history of the park. On our own we would not have seen even 20% of what was pointed out to us by Minor.
Manuel Antonio Nat Park is a walk-in only park and is limited to how many people are allowed to enter daily. It closes at night. There are three main trails, one of which is pretty easy. You should have good walking shoes, a hat and water. The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world so bring a swimsuit if you like to swim as the water is deliciously warm. I loved seeing the wild toucans, beautiful blue Morpho butterflies, iguanas, and the sloths. But my favorite experience was watching the monkeys play and frolic right in front of me. (Caution- the monkeys can and will steal your stuff if you leave it unguarded.) We hired Minor Hidalgo for three hours and then spent the remainder of the day enjoying the park.
Date of experience: March 2016“.
Glendas 660
Trip Advisor
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