Manuel Antonio National Park Overview

In a country that spans more than 12.5 million acres and has earned a worldwide reputation as the leading example of conservation and ecotourism in Central America, you’d think it might be hard for a 2,000-acre park to rise above the noise of its neighboring parklands, rainforests, beachfronts, and coral reefs. But despite its small size, Manuel Antonio National Park boasts enough treasures to make a cacophony all its own. Ideally situated on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast about 80 miles from the capital of San José, Manuel Antonio is a veritable collage of the country’s best offerings: rainforest-covered hills that roll out onto pockets of near-isolated beachfront, azure waters with gentle rolling waves, and dense coral reef systems teeming with aquatic life. More than 100 mammals and 184 bird species call this park home, including white-faced capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, eagles, and toucanets, as well as iguanas, sloths, scarlet macaws, poison dart frogs, dolphins, whales, and brightly colored crabs. And the ways to explore the park are just as endless, from hiking and nature tours to angling, horseback riding, bird-watching, sailing, caving, rafting, mountain biking, diving, snorkeling, and the time-honored tradition of laying your beach towel on the perfect stretch of sand. Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer who spent most of his career searching for the fountain of youth, discovered the land now encapsulated by Manuel Antonio. Perhaps his pursuit wasn’t as elusive as he’d imagined.

As you’d expect from a park that has so much in such a small area, the secret’s out—this is Costa Rica’s most popular park, particularly with families. Visits are currently limited to 600 people per weekday and 800 per weekend in an effort to protect the environment. January through April is high season, which brings the crowds; the May-to-December off-season sees temps from the low 70s to the low 80s, but an increase in precipitation can make things very wet (especially in September). Expect sweltering temps in March and April.