Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica

Situated along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the picturesque Manuel Antonio National Park awaits.

Here, you’ll find a unique combination of lush, tropical rainforest, rich wildlife, and enchanting beaches like Manuel Antonio Beach.

Learn more about Costa Rica’s smallest national park below.

Costa Rica’s smallest national park

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks and, at just under 7 km², it is also the smallest. In addition to the mainland rainforest, the park includes 12 islands off the coast, home to many seabirds.

The national park was established following local pressure against the former foreign owners who had prevented the locals from using the beaches. To protect the area’s unique nature and wildlife, the locals fought to preserve Manuel Antonio, resulting in the area being declared a national park in 1972.

Why travel to Manuel Antonio?

Manuel Antonio combines the best of Costa Rica’s nature in one place: lush rainforest, exotic wildlife, and some of the country’s finest beaches, including Manuel Antonio Beach.

What to do in Manuel Antonio?

In Manuel Antonio, you can look forward to unforgettable natural experiences and encounters with Costa Rica’s fascinating wildlife. Explore the dense rainforests, spot colourful birds and playful monkeys, and end the day with a dip at the stunning beaches. Here, you can experience some of the best of Costa Rica’s nature in one place.

Manuel Antonio is the most visited national park in Costa Rica, so expect to meet many other visitors, especially during peak seasons. For a more authentic and tranquil experience, follow the park’s lesser-known trails. All the park’s hiking paths are clearly marked, allowing for easy exploration of the national park on your own. However, we recommend a guided tour, as guides know the rainforest inside and out, as well as where to search for wildlife, which can easily hide in the jungle.

Please note that you are not allowed to bring food, snacks, cigarettes, alcohol, etc., into the national park. Water should be carried in refillable bottles. If you need a break, there is a small café in the national park where you can purchase food and drinks.

Wildlife in Manuel Antonio

Despite the park’s size, it remains one of the best places to experience Costa Rica’s wildlife.

In the park’s dense rainforest, you can spot over 100 different species of mammals.

For example, you might see iguanas, armadillos, and sloths. Looking up towards the treetops, you may catch a glimpse of the park’s monkeys, such as the howler monkey and the capuchin monkey.

Are you fascinated by birdlife? Then you’ll love Manuel Antonio National Park! Approximately 350 different bird species have been recorded here. Among them, you might spot toucans, identifiable by their long, colourful beaks. The most famous is the keel-billed toucan, recognisable by its green beak and yellow chest.

You might also be lucky enough to see shimmering, green hummingbirds feeding on nectar from the park’s flowers. The hummingbird is one of the park’s smallest birds, and a number of Costa Rica’s more than 50 different hummingbird species live here.

Nature in Manuel Antonio

In Manuel Antonio, you’ll find highly varied nature with diverse landscapes and hundreds of different plant species.

In the area’s tropical rainforest, there are nearly 300 different plant species. Along the park’s streams, mangrove forests thrive, with shrubs and trees taking root underwater.

Experience the lush nature of the rainforest and the open coastal expanses as you follow the park’s hiking trails. These routes lead you along the coast and through the jungle, allowing you to encounter the wildlife up close.

Manuel Antonio’s beaches

In and around Manuel Antonio National Park, you will find some of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches.

Within the national park itself, you’ll discover Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio Beach. To reach the beaches in the park, you must walk through the dense, green rainforest before emerging onto the open coastline.

Manuel Antonio Beach, or Playa Manuel Antonio, is considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Here, you can snorkel among tropical fish, and if you are lucky, you might spot some of the park’s sea turtles. Migrating dolphins and whales are occasionally seen swimming past the park’s shores.

When is the best time to visit Manuel Antonio?

Most people prefer to tour Manuel Antonio during the dry season, which falls between December and April. These months offer sunny weather with warm temperatures and little rain.

However, there are also plenty of wonderful experiences to be had in the green season, the rainy period, between May and November. The rainy season breathes life into the environment, making it greener, and during this time, there are also fewer visitors.

Explore Manuel Antonio with TourCompass

Manuel Antonio National Park is among Costa Rica’s best places to visit. Here, you will find a blend of rainforest, white sandy beaches, and exotic wildlife. Although it is Costa Rica’s smallest national park, it promises some of the country’s biggest experiences.

With TourCompass, you are guaranteed an unforgettable tour, and a trip to Costa Rica is one you will remember forever.

Will Manuel Antonio be part of your adventure in Costa Rica? Contact our travel specialists today for assistance in finding your tour!

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