Manuel Antonio Wildlife Tour: Sloths & Monkeys with Guide

You'll see sloths and four species of monkeys in the same morning.

A guided wildlife tour through Manuel Antonio National Park led by a certified naturalist with 10+ years of experience, using professional telescopes and binoculars to spot sloths, capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys and over 180 bird species. The tour runs 2 hours through the park, then ends at a white-sand beach where you can swim, relax or stay until 3 PM. Groups stay under 10 people. Park entrance tickets are purchased separately through the SINAC website and sell out quickly in peak season.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife tour and beach visit

• Meet at park entrance
• Guided wildlife tour with naturalist
• Use telescopes and binoculars
• Spot sloths, monkeys, and birds
• Enjoy white sand beach
• Swim and relax at beach
• Return with guide or stay until 3 PM

The Experience

What you're looking for is a guide who knows where the animals actually are. This tour pairs you with a certified naturalist who has spent a decade spotting wildlife in Manuel Antonio—the guide brings professional telescopes and binoculars so you're not squinting at shapes in the canopy. You'll move through the park looking for sloths (both two-toed and three-toed), capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys and the tropical birds that live here. The guide shares what the animals are doing and why, turning a walk into something you can actually understand.

After 2 hours in the forest, the tour reaches the beach—white sand, calm water, the kind of place you'd want to stay longer. You can walk back to the park entrance with the group or stay until 3 PM on your own. Groups max out at 10 people, which means the guide isn't herding a crowd and you're not waiting for someone else's photo. The equipment is included; you bring a camera and whatever you want to wear in the water.

Park entrance tickets are not included and must be bought ahead of time through the SINAC website—they have a daily capacity limit to protect the wildlife, and they sell out fast during peak season. Book your tour spot at least an hour before you want to go. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French depending on which option you pick at checkout.

What’s included

• Certified naturalist guide with 10+ years experience.
• professional telescopes and binoculars for close-up wildlife viewing.
• 2-hour guided walk through Manuel Antonio National Park.
• access to the white-sand beach at the end of the tour.
• the choice to stay at the beach until 3 PM or return with the group.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Pacific jungle adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a small-group experience with professional spotting equipment and a certified naturalist who knows where the animals are, rather than searching on your own.

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Top questions

How long does the actual wildlife tour part take before we reach the beach?

The guided walk through Manuel Antonio National Park runs 2 hours. After that, you reach the white-sand beach where you can swim, rest or stay until 3 PM if you choose.

What animals will we actually see on this tour?

The tour targets sloths (two-toed and three-toed), four species of monkeys (white-faced capuchin, howler, squirrel and spider monkeys), and over 180 tropical bird species. What you spot depends on the day and the season, but the guide knows the park and uses professional equipment to find them.

Do I need to buy the park entrance tickets separately?

Yes. Manuel Antonio National Park entrance tickets are purchased separately through the SINAC website and are not included with the tour. They cost $18 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Buy in advance—the park has a daily capacity limit and tickets sell out quickly during peak season.

Can I stay at the beach longer than the tour group?

Yes. The tour ends at the beach after 2 hours in the park. You can return to the entrance with your guide, or stay at the beach on your own until 3 PM.

What equipment do I need to bring for wildlife spotting?

The tour includes professional telescopes and binoculars, so you don't need to bring your own. Bring a camera, sunscreen, water and whatever you're comfortable wearing in the ocean if you plan to swim.