The national park is compact enough to explore in a day but rich enough to fill several, with trails that move between pristine beach and dense rainforest within minutes. Monkeys cross the path. Sloths hang in the trees above. Scarlet macaws fly overhead in pairs. And then you emerge onto Playa Manuel Antonio — one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica — and the whole thing feels almost implausibly perfect. The town of Quepos nearby adds excellent restaurants and easy logistics to round out a destination that’s rightly beloved.
Manuel Antonio National Park packs an astonishing amount into a relatively small area — four beaches, coastal rainforest, offshore coral, and a resident population of wildlife that has grown accustomed to humans and can be observed at remarkably close range. A skilled naturalist guide transforms it from a beautiful walk into a genuinely unforgettable experience.
Manuel Antonio is famous for accessible wildlife encounters: white-faced capuchin monkeys investigating beachside belongings, two- and three-toed sloths at eye level in the treetops, raccoons patrolling the shoreline, and scarlet macaws nesting in the palms. It’s one of the few places where you don’t have to go looking — the wildlife simply appears.
The hillside above Manuel Antonio is lined with some of Costa Rica’s most impressive boutique hotels — intimate properties with infinity pools, jungle canopy views, and the Pacific stretching to the horizon. It’s a setting that makes every morning feel like an occasion.
A Manuel Antonio legend, Si Como No is beloved for its commitment to sustainability, its spectacular jungle-meets-Pacific setting, and its genuinely warm atmosphere. Two pools, excellent dining, and a private wildlife refuge on the grounds make it a destination in its own right.
Perched on a forested hillside directly above two of Manuel Antonio’s most beautiful beaches, Arenas del Mar is one of the finest boutique resorts in Costa Rica. Stunning infinity pools, spacious rooms with panoramic ocean views, and exceptional service combine with an outstanding sustainability ethos — this is Manuel Antonio at its very best.
Nestled in the lush hills above Manuel Antonio, Los Altos combines boutique elegance with sweeping Pacific and jungle views. Beautifully designed bungalows, exceptional food, and a warm, attentive team make it one of the most special stays on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast.