Discover wildlife, relax in nature, and enjoy Manuel Antonio National Park with Minor Hidalgo, a certified local naturalist guide with more than 20 years of experience.
With a professional spotting scope, local knowledge, and a calm personal approach, I’ll help you see what many visitors miss — sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, birds, and the hidden stories of the rainforest.
Relax. Explore. Remember.
⭐ Rated 4.7 on Google
ICT Certified Guide • 20+ Years of Experience • Professional Spotting Scope
Why Choose Hola Nature?
More than a tour — a peaceful wildlife experience.
When you explore Manuel Antonio with Hola Nature, you’re not just joining another tour. You’re discovering the rainforest with a passionate local naturalist who has spent more than 20 years helping visitors create unforgettable memories.
✔ Certified Local Naturalist Guide
Explore with confidence alongside an experienced, certified guide who knows the park and its wildlife intimately.
✔ Professional Spotting Scope
See sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, birds, and other incredible wildlife up close through a high-quality spotting scope.
✔ Small Groups
Smaller groups mean a quieter experience, better wildlife viewing, and more opportunities to ask questions.
✔ Stress-Free Experience
From planning your visit to exploring the park, we’re here to make everything simple, relaxed, and enjoyable.
✔ Discover the Stories Behind the Wildlife
Learn fascinating facts about Costa Rica’s animals, plants, history, and conservation while creating memories that last a lifetime.
Relax. Explore. Remember.
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, wildlife, natural beauty, and a story worth telling for years to come.
But here’s something most visitors don’t realize:
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:
I’ve seen visitors arrive late, show up without valid tickets, spend hours walking the trails without spotting the wildlife they dreamed of seeing, or unintentionally miss the park’s most unforgettable moments. Some explore on their own and miss the hidden wildlife that’s often right in front of them. 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 is about more than simply walking through a forest.
It’s about slowing down, seeing what others miss, understanding the incredible wildlife around you, and creating memories that stay with you long after your trip is over.
That’s the experience I want every guest to take home.
Wildlife doesn’t appear by chance. Timing, patience, and awareness make all the difference.
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 when you explore with an experienced naturalist guide, the forest comes alive in ways most visitors never imagine.
Why Choose a Guided Tour in Manuel Antonio National Park?
As a certified naturalist guide recognized by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), I don’t just point out animals—I help you discover 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.
Relax. Explore. Remember. That’s the Hola Nature experience.
Why I Came Back — To My Forest
Whether you choose to explore with me or another ICT-certified guide, I have one simple request: Don’t explore the park unprepared.
The forest reveals its secrets only to those who know how to listen.
In 2001, I returned to Costa Rica after three years abroad, chasing what many call “the dream” — searching for what I believed would be a better life.
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 living land.
Then I found what I had been searching for.
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 where the rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, bursting with life unlike anything I had ever experienced.
Here, I found something deeper than beauty — I found meaning.
A lush tropical rainforest, home to nearly 2,000 species of native plants and a symphony of life:
Monkeys leaping through the canopy, scarlet macaws soaring overhead, and sloths moving through the trees with quiet grace.
Sloths moving slowly through the trees, reminding me that nature follows its own peaceful rhythm. — the joy of living in a small paradise.
Toucans, trogons, and hummingbirds, showing off in bursts of color and flight.
Crabs darting between the rocks, always one step ahead of hungry coatis.
Insects, glowing with the colors of a rainbow, like a painting left by a divine hand.
That day, I knew I had found my purpose.
I made Manuel Antonio my home.
I moved to Manuel Antonio, became a certified naturalist guide in 2002, and later earned my certification as 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, I see the same look in their eyes.
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 something beautiful unfold.
A reconnection, a smile, a sense of peace.
And every time I look up and see a sloth resting quietly in the trees, I’m reminded that I came back exactly where I was meant to be.
Meet Your Guide, Minor
What You’ll See on Our Wildlife Tour in Manuel Antonio
🌿 Wildlife Encounters in Manuel Antonio National Park
From your very first steps, the rainforest begins to reveal its secrets. With patience, trained eyes, and a bit of luck, you may spot sleepy sloths hanging from the treetops, playful monkeys swinging overhead, colorful toucans, scarlet macaws, and many other fascinating creatures. With an experienced ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll uncover stories, hidden behaviors, and fascinating connections that bring the rainforest to life. More than sightseeing, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature—and with yourself.
Highlights of Our Manuel Antonio Guided Tours
👨👩👧👦 Small Group Guided Tours in Manuel Antonio for Big Memories
Enjoy a relaxed, personalized experience in a small group where everyone has the chance to see wildlife, ask questions, and connect with nature. Smaller groups move more quietly through the forest, giving us better opportunities to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, frogs, and many other incredible animals. You’ll never feel rushed or lost in a crowd—just fully immersed in one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks.
Legends of the Jungle – Meet the Park’s Most Magical Creatures
🌿 Three Toed at Manuel Antonio Sloth Tour
🦥 Three-Toed Sloth – The Gentle Soul of Costa Rica
For many travelers, seeing a wild three-toed sloth is the moment they’ve dreamed about long before arriving in Costa Rica. Resting peacefully high in the rainforest canopy, the sloth reminds us that nature follows its own rhythm—not the rush of deadlines or busy schedules.
Hidden among the trees, sloths are surprisingly difficult to find without trained eyes. With an ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll have a much better chance of spotting one while discovering the remarkable adaptations that have allowed this peaceful survivor to thrive for millions of years.
More than a wildlife sighting, meeting a sloth often becomes a reminder to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what truly matters.
🦜 Fiery-Billed Aracari
Birdwatching at Manuel Antonio?
🌈 Collared Aracari – The Colors of Costa Rica
With its vibrant beak and playful personality, the collared aracari is one of the rainforest’s most colorful ambassadors. Unlike larger toucans, these social birds often travel in small family groups, calling to one another as they move through the forest canopy in search of fruit.
Spotting an aracari is more than checking another bird off a list. It’s one of those unexpected moments that reminds you the rainforest is alive with color, movement, and surprises around every corner.
With an ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll discover where to look, understand their fascinating behaviors, and appreciate the vital role these beautiful birds play in keeping Costa Rica’s rainforest healthy.
🐒 White-Faced Capuchin Monkey
🐒 White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys – Intelligence, Family and Joy
Curious, playful, and incredibly intelligent, white-faced capuchin monkeys fill the rainforest with energy. They live in close family groups, communicate constantly, solve problems together, and teach their young how to survive.
Watching them leap through the canopy is exciting, but understanding their social world makes the experience unforgettable. Your guide will help you discover behaviors that most visitors never notice.
Their playful spirit reminds us that life’s happiest moments are often the ones we share with the people we love.
🐵 Howler Monkey
🐒 Howler Monkey – The Voice of the Rainforest
Long before the sun lights up the forest, the deep roar of the howler monkey echoes through Manuel Antonio National Park. It isn’t a sound of danger—it’s the ancient voice of the rainforest awakening.
Although howler monkeys spend much of their day resting high in the canopy, their powerful calls can travel for several kilometers, reminding every creature that a new day has begun.
With an ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll learn why these peaceful leaf-eaters have one of the loudest voices in the animal kingdom, how they live in close family groups, and why hearing their call is an experience many visitors never forget.
Sometimes, the rainforest doesn’t speak in words. It speaks through the voice of the howler monkey.
🐤 Yellow-Throated Toucan
🐦 Yellow-Throated Toucan – Beauty, Intelligence, and the Wild Side of Nature
With its brilliant yellow throat and oversized bill, the yellow-throated toucan is one of Manuel Antonio National Park’s most iconic birds. Seeing one perched high in the rainforest canopy is a moment many visitors never forget.
At first glance, it seems to embody beauty and peace. But nature is far more fascinating than appearances suggest. While fruit makes up much of its diet, this intelligent bird will also feed on insects, small reptiles, eggs, and even nestlings when the opportunity arises. Every species plays its own role in maintaining the delicate balance of the rainforest.
With an ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll learn to see beyond colorful feathers and discover the remarkable adaptations, behaviors, and hidden stories that make every wildlife encounter more meaningful.
The rainforest isn’t perfect. It’s perfectly balanced.
🦥 Two-Toed spotted on our Manuel Antonio sloth tour
🦥 Two-Toed Sloth – The Rainforest’s Best-Kept Secret
While many visitors dream of seeing the famous three-toed sloth, Manuel Antonio is also home to its mysterious cousin—the two-toed sloth. More active at night and perfectly adapted to life high in the rainforest canopy, it is one of the park’s most elusive treasures.
Finding one isn’t just about luck. It takes patience, trained eyes, and a deep understanding of the forest. That’s where an experienced ICT-certified naturalist guide makes all the difference.
The two-toed sloth reminds us that some of life’s greatest rewards aren’t the easiest to find. They reveal themselves quietly, to those willing to slow down, look carefully, and let nature unfold in its own time.
🐿️ Squirrel Monkey
🐿️ Central American Squirrel Monkey – The Tiny Treasure Found Almost Nowhere Else
Small enough to fit in your hands, yet impossible to forget. The Central American squirrel monkey is one of Costa Rica’s rarest primates and lives naturally in only a small part of the country, making Manuel Antonio one of the best places on Earth to see it.
Always moving, curious, and incredibly social, these tiny monkeys travel through the forest like a living family—leaping effortlessly between branches while searching for fruit, insects, and adventure.
Watching them reminds us that life’s greatest moments are often the smallest ones. With an experienced ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll know where to look, understand their fascinating behavior, and appreciate why protecting their rainforest home matters for generations to come.
🟦 Blue-Crowned Motmot
💙 Turquoise-Browed Motmot – The Sacred Messenger of the Forest
Long before national parks existed, Costa Rica’s Indigenous peoples believed the forest spoke through its creatures. Among the most mysterious was the motmot—a bird surrounded by legends, admired for its calm presence, brilliant colors, and graceful beauty.
Unlike birds that demand attention, the motmot rewards those who slow down. It waits quietly, hidden among the branches, reminding us that nature reveals its greatest treasures to patient observers.
With an experienced ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll discover not only where to find this remarkable bird, but also the stories, traditions, and natural history
🐍 Eyelash Viper
🐍 Eyelash Viper – Nature’s Hidden Masterpiece
One of the rainforest’s most extraordinary predators is also one of its most beautiful. The eyelash viper doesn’t chase its prey or rely on speed. Instead, it waits patiently, perfectly camouflaged among leaves, flowers, and branches until the perfect moment arrives.
Its incredible colors—yellow, green, pink, or orange—help it disappear into the forest, making every sighting a rare privilege rather than a guarantee.
With an experienced ICT-certified naturalist guide, you’ll learn how to safely spot these remarkable snakes while discovering the fascinating adaptations that make Costa
Why Travelers Love Our Manuel Antonio Tours
💬 Real Travelers. Real Wildlife. Real Memories.
Your adventure begins long before you enter Manuel Antonio National Park—it begins with trust. Hundreds of travelers have shared stories of unforgettable wildlife encounters, genuine hospitality, and the peace of exploring with an experienced ICT-certified naturalist guide. Their reviews reflect what matters most: seeing incredible wildlife, feeling cared for, learning about Costa Rica’s rainforest, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
⭐ Trusted by Travelers from Around the World
Before you book, see what real travelers say about their experience with Hola Nature.
⭐ See what our guests say on Google →
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Caro Smoll
“My husband and I took a private tour at Manuel Antonio National Park. Our guide, Minor, was an expert and helped us spot many animals, plants, and insects we would have otherwise missed. We learned so much about Costa Rica and explored the park at our own pace. We enjoyed it so much that we booked a second private tour with Minor to visit Rainmaker the following day. It was incredible! Professional, friendly service—100% recommended.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Maria Hall (Local Guide)
“We had a great tour with Minor at Manuel Antonio National Park. He is a very kind, patient and knowledgeable man. Everyone told us they recommend having a guide and it did end up being an important part of our hike. Minor was great at spotting animals we absolutely would have never seen without him. He has all the equipment to also give you a close look at the animals as well. We highly recommend Minor & this company for guided tours.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AULELEMNIT
“My 9-year-old son and I had an amazing experience in Manuel Antonio with Minor. Make sure you request him for all your tours! Very knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Can’t wait to come back! PURA VIDA!”
Meet Your Manuel Antonio Private Guide (Hola Nature)
🤝 Authentic Manuel Antonio Tour Experience Beyond Sightseeing
Every five-star review tells the same story: unforgettable wildlife, genuine local knowledge, and an experience that feels personal from beginning to end.
✨ At Hola Nature, we believe the best tours are about more than finding wildlife—they’re about creating meaningful memories. For over 20 years, we’ve helped travelers discover not only sloths, monkeys, toucans, and hidden rainforest treasures, but also the stories, connections, and wonders that make Costa Rica unforgettable. Whether you’re traveling with family, your partner, or on your own, we’ll help you experience Manuel Antonio at your own pace—with curiosity, comfort, and genuine local hospitality.
📅 Your Costa Rica Adventure Starts with One Message
💬 Start with a Simple WhatsApp Message
Booking your Manuel Antonio adventure is easy. Just send us a WhatsApp message with your travel dates, and we’ll personally help you choose the experience that fits you best. Whether you’re looking for a relaxed small-group wildlife tour or a private adventure, we’ll answer your questions and make planning your visit simple, stress-free, and unforgettable.
🌿 Frequently Asked Questions about Manuel Antonio National Park
Everything you need to confidently plan your visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. From tickets and wildlife to the best time to visit, Hola Nature is here to make your Costa Rica adventure simple, stress-free, and unforgettable.
Manuel Antonio is located 167 km (104 miles) from Costa Rica’s capital, San José.
🚗 It takes about 3 hours by car, depending on traffic.
The easiest way is by car: Take Route 27 from San José to Orotina, then Route 34 (Costanera Sur) to Quepos. From Quepos, it’s only a 15-minute drive to Manuel Antonio National Park. Other options include 🚌 public buses (Tracopa station in San José), ✈️ local flights to Quepos airport, or 🚐 private/shared shuttles.
The park is in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica, near the town of Quepos, in the province of Puntarenas. 🌴
🎟️ For international visitors: $18.08 USD (ages 12+) and $5.65 USD (ages 2–11). Children under 2 enter free. Tickets must be purchased online.
Need help buying your park tickets?
👉 Message me on WhatsApp. I’ll personally help you get the correct tickets and answer any questions before your visit.
⏰ The park is open daily from 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 🏖️ Playa Manuel Antonio (the main beach) closes at 3:00 PM. Last entrance allowed at 3:00 PM.
✅ Allowed: drinks in reusable containers (no plastic bottles), cream-based mosquito repellent and sunscreen, snorkeling gear, ponchos or umbrellas.
❌ Not allowed: food or snacks, alcohol, cigarettes, disposable plastics, drones, speakers, surfboards, or beach umbrellas.
If you have limited time, a Manuel Antonio day trip with guide helps you see more and avoid common pitfalls at the entrances and trails.
Learn more about our guided Manuel Antonio National Park Tour →
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, and 🚜 ATV jungle tours.
There are hundreds of restaurants and local cafés to suit every taste and budget. 🍽️ Many offer ocean views, seafood specialties, and international cuisine — perfect to end your tour day.
You’ll find a wide range of hotels, ecolodges, and hostels in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area. 💡 Tip: During high season (Nov–Apr, or Jul–Aug), book early — accommodations fill up quickly.
🌿 You can visit on your own, but hiring a guide makes all the difference! Guides help you spot wildlife you’d never see alone (sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, etc.) share stories that bring the jungle to life and they provide important information for your safety.
Learn more about our guided Manuel Antonio National Park Tour →
The main beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is inside the park. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the entrance through beautiful rainforest trails.
Visitors can stay until closing time at 4:00 PM, but remember the main beach closes at 3:00 PM.
✅ Extra Tip from Hola Nature:
Book your guided tour with us early to secure your spot and avoid missing out during busy seasons.
Let’s Create Your Favorite Costa Rica Memory
Perfect for Families, Couples, Solo Travelers and Nature Lovers.
The best memories aren’t planned—they’re discovered. Let us guide you beyond the trails to the hidden wildlife, peaceful moments, and authentic Costa Rican experiences that most visitors never find on their own. This is more than a tour. It’s the memory you’ll still be talking about years from now.