Manuel Antonio Beach Tour: Wildlife & Playa Espadilla

Rainforest walk and beach tour with wildlife viewing on one of the world's most beautiful beaches

A full-day guided tour from San José to Manuel Antonio National Park combines wildlife spotting in the rainforest with extended beach time at Playa Espadilla. You start before dawn with pickup from your hotel, stop to watch giant crocodiles at the Tárcoles River, hike the park's trails with a certified naturalist guide to spot monkeys, sloths, toucans and iguanas, then spend up to four hours swimming and relaxing on the beach. Breakfast and lunch are included, with return to San José at sunset.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Manuel Antonio Beach

• Pick up from San José hotels
• Stop for traditional Costa Rican breakfast
• View crocodiles at Tarcoles River
• Travel along Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio
• Hike into Manuel Antonio National Park
• Explore rainforest trails with naturalist guide
• Relax and swim at Playa Espadilla beach
• Enjoy local lunch near the beach
• Return to San José at sunset

The experience

Pickup begins at 5 am from San José hotels, and the drive south takes you past African palm plantations and small Pacific Coast villages toward Quepos and the park. You'll stop at a viewpoint on the Tárcoles River where giant crocodiles gather in the shallows: a sight most visitors never see outside a zoo. The road itself is the first lesson in Costa Rica's geography: you move from the Central Valley down to the coast in a single morning, and the landscape shifts with every kilometer.

Once at Manuel Antonio, a bilingual naturalist guide leads a roughly four-hour exploration of the park and its trails. The hike crosses a creek to enter the preserve, and from there you choose your own pace: walk the trails to spot three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, iguanas and toucans, or settle on the sand and let the wildlife come to you. Cathedral Point, if you take that trail, offers views of the park and the sea that justify the climb. Playa Espadilla itself is where you spend the bulk of the afternoon: swimming, sunbathing, or simply sitting with the water in front of you.

Lunch is served at Hotel Playa Espadilla near the beach, and the return journey to San José happens at sunset, arriving back at your hotel after a thirteen-hour day. The tour operates with a minimum of two passengers and includes an air-conditioned vehicle, all park fees and taxes, and a professional guide who speaks both English and Spanish. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera. Note that plastic bottles and prepared food are not allowed inside the park, though drinks in single-use bottles are fine.

What’s included

• Breakfast and lunch.
• transportation from San José hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish).
• all park fees and entrance taxes.
• specialized infant seats available upon request.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (11 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Expediciones Tropicales Day Tours

Is this one for you?The early 5 am start and thirteen-hour commitment suit travelers who want to pack both rainforest and beach into a single day without rushing either one. If you're based in San José and don't have a rental car, this tour solves the logistics of reaching Manuel Antonio and back in one booking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see at Manuel Antonio National Park?

Manuel Antonio's trails are home to three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, iguanas, toucans and other bird species. Sightings depend on the time of day and season, but the naturalist guide knows where to look and how to spot them in the canopy.

How much time do I spend in the water at Playa Espadilla?

You have up to four hours at the beach after the guided rainforest walk, which gives you time to swim, sunbathe, explore the sand, or simply rest before the drive back to San José.

What is the Tárcoles River stop like?

You stop at a viewpoint on the Tárcoles River mouth where giant crocodiles gather in the shallows. It's a photo opportunity and a chance to see these animals in their natural habitat before you head into the park.

Does the tour include food, and what about drinks?

Breakfast is included on the drive south, and lunch is served at Hotel Playa Espadilla near the beach. Bottled water is not included, but you can bring drinks in single-use bottles into the park.

How early does pickup happen, and will I be back by a certain time?

Pickup starts at 5 am from San José hotels, and the tour returns at sunset after a full thirteen-hour day. Confirm your exact pickup time with the operator the day before, allowing for five minutes of flexibility.