Manuel Antonio National Park hiking tour: wildlife beaches

Monkeys, sloths, birds and a 45-minute beach swim in one morning hike

A full-day hiking tour of Manuel Antonio National Park departing from Jacó, with hotel pickup and a bilingual nature guide leading you through rainforest trails to spot endemic squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, sloths and tropical birds. The hike starts around 8:30am on well-defined paths, followed by a leisure stop and swim at the third beach, then lunch back at the operation center. Minimum two people per booking; suitable for all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike and explore Manuel Antonio Park

• Stop at Tucanes Tours center
• Begin guided hike at 8:30am
• Spot wildlife and plants on trails
• Leisure stop at third beach
• Rest or swim at beach
• Lunch at operation center

The Experience

The tour picks you up from your Jacó hotel and brings you to Manuel Antonio, a peninsula ringed by beaches and tropical rainforest on the Central Pacific coast. The hike begins around 8:30am with a bilingual nature expert who knows where the wildlife congregates—endemic squirrel monkeys, white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys and sloths move through the canopy and forest floor on predictable routes, and the guide reads the trails to find them. You walk on established paths, not bushwhacking, which means the pace stays steady and the footing is clear.

After the main hike, you get a 45-minute stop at the third beach to rest or swim in the ocean—a break that matters on a tropical morning. Lunch is served back at the Tucanes Tours operation center before the drive back to Jacó, so the day ends with food and a chance to sit down. The whole outing runs about seven hours from pickup to drop-off.

A bilingual guide (English or Spanish) leads the walk, which means you hear the names and behaviors of the animals and plants as you move through them instead of guessing later. The park is considered one of the most beautiful in Costa Rica, and the combination of rainforest, wildlife and beach access in a single day is rare—most national parks require choosing between jungle and coast.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Jacó.
• bilingual nature guide (English or Spanish).
• lunch at the operation center.
• beverages throughout the day.
• swimming time at the third beach.
• access to Manuel Antonio National Park trails.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tucanes Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you are staying in Jacó and want to see Costa Rican wildlife and rainforest without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the pickup, the expert, and the meal are all handled, leaving you to focus on the hike and the animals.

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Top questions

What animals will I actually see on the hike?

Endemic squirrel monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and sloths are commonly spotted on the trails, along with a large variety of tropical birds, reptiles and butterflies. The guide knows where these animals move through the forest and times the walk to find them.

How difficult is the hike for someone who is not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The trails are well-defined and established, not steep or technical, and the pace is set by the group with a professional guide managing the walk.

Is there time to swim in the ocean?

Yes. After the main hike, you get a 45-minute leisure stop at the third beach where you can swim, rest or walk along the sand before returning to the operation center for lunch.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Jacó, the professional bilingual guide, lunch at the operation center, beverages, and the national park experience itself are all included. Gratuities for the guide are separate.

How early does the tour start?

Hotel pickup happens in the morning to get you to Manuel Antonio for an 8:30am hike start. The full day runs about seven hours from pickup to drop-off.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the park?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Jacó are included, so you do not need to rent a car or figure out transportation to the park entrance.