Plan a better visit
Guides and tips from our naturalist guides to help you make the most of Manuel Antonio National Park.
The Complete Guide to Manuel Antonio National Park (2026)
Everything you need to plan a 2026 visit — tickets, hours, trails, beaches, wildlife, rules, and insider tips from local certified guides.
Read article→Best Time to Visit Manuel Antonio National Park: A Season-by-Season Guide
When you go changes the experience more than most visitors expect — not just the weather, but the crowds, the wildlife sightings, and which trails make sense to walk.
Read article→What to Pack for Manuel Antonio National Park: A Practical Checklist
An easy park by hiking standards, but the tropical climate and park-specific rules mean a little preparation goes a long way.
Read article→How to Spot More Wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park
Most of the park's biodiversity is designed by evolution to not be seen. Knowing what to look for — and where — changes a walk from 'we saw a few iguanas' into a genuinely memorable wildlife encounter.
Read article→Manuel Antonio Tickets: Prices, Hours & How to Buy (2026)
Tickets are sold online only, the park is closed every Tuesday, and popular dates sell out. Here's the complete, current picture — prices, hours, and the SINAC process step by step.
Read article→Do You Need a Guide for Manuel Antonio? An Honest Local Answer
No, you don't need a guide to enter the park — and for some visitors, self-guided is the right call. Here's how to decide, with real numbers and real trade-offs.
Read article→Manuel Antonio Trails & Beaches: The Complete Guide
Every trail and beach inside the park — the Sloth Trail, Playa Manuel Antonio, Punta Catedral — honestly rated, plus the walking route our guides recommend.
Read article→How to Get from San José to Manuel Antonio (Every Option Compared)
Rental car, shared shuttle, public bus, private transfer, or the 25-minute flight — every way to make the trip, with honest costs and trade-offs.
Read article→Manuel Antonio Parking: Costs, Locations & the Scams to Avoid
Where to park (~$10/day), the lots closest to the entrance, and how to spot the parking touts that every local knows about.
Read article→Sloths in Manuel Antonio: Where and When to See Them
One of the most reliable places in Costa Rica to see wild sloths. Where they hang out, the best time of day, and how to actually spot them.
Read article→The Squirrel Monkeys of Manuel Antonio: Costa Rica's Rarest Primate
Manuel Antonio is one of the only places on Earth to see the endangered Central American squirrel monkey. Where the troops move, when to look, and why they matter.
Read article→Manuel Antonio with Kids: A Local Family Guide
Stroller-friendly trails, the best ages, timing, what to pack for children, and honest parent tips for the most family-friendly park in Costa Rica.
Read article→Manuel Antonio vs. Monteverde: Which Should You Visit?
An honest comparison of wildlife, weather, beaches, cost, and travel time — plus how to visit both in one Costa Rica trip.
Read article→Is Manuel Antonio Worth It? An Honest Local's Answer
Crowds, costs, closed Tuesdays — is Manuel Antonio still worth visiting in 2026? A local guide gives the honest answer, including who should skip it.
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