Manuel Antonio night jungle tour: Nocturnal wildlife guide

The creatures that only move after dark live on the property you'll walk through.

A night jungle tour in Manuel Antonio led by a certified naturalist guide, searching a private preserve for nocturnal wildlife in groups of 4–6 people. The tour lasts 2 to 3 hours and includes a guide in English or Spanish, waterproof flashlights, clean rain boots, and all photos and videos captured with Swarovski telescopes. Small-group size and personalized attention are what separate this operator from others running the same route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore jungle wildlife at night

• Wear provided clean rain boots
• Join small group for tour
• Walk through private jungle property
• Observe spiders, frogs, lizards, snakes
• Spot anteaters, sloths, armadillos, ocelots
• Learn about nocturnal creatures

The experience

Manuel Antonio's jungle looks completely different after sunset. The animals that hide during the day (spiders, tree frogs, lizards, snakes, and occasionally anteaters, sloths, armadillos, and ocelots) become active, and a certified naturalist guide trained by the Costa Rican Tourism Board knows where to find them. You'll walk a beautifully preserved private property with a waterproof flashlight in hand, and the guide will search for any specific animal you want to see as the night unfolds. Groups stay at 4–6 people maximum, which means the pace stays slow enough to spot things and the guide can answer questions without shouting over a crowd.

The tour includes clean rain boots to wear during the walk. A detail that matters on muddy ground after dark, and one this operator provides while most others don't. You'll also get all the photos and videos shot during the night with their ATX-BTX Swarovski telescopes, so you leave with images of animals you spotted but might not have captured yourself. The guide speaks English or Spanish and will explain what you're looking at as you encounter it, turning the walk into an education about the creatures that live in Manuel Antonio's nighttime ecosystem.

The tour runs 2 to 3 hours. Closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots) are required. The property does not permit Crocs, Keens, Tevas or semi-open-toe shoes. Wear comfortable long pants and a light cotton shirt. During the rainy season (early May through late December), rain can force a cancellation or reschedule, so booking early in your stay gives you flexibility if weather interferes.

What’s included

• Certified naturalist guide in English or Spanish.
• waterproof flashlights.
• clean rain boots for the walk.
• all photos and videos captured during the tour with Swarovski telescopes.

Options for this experience

4 options

Guide in English or Spanish18:00

Guide in English or Spanish18:00

Guide in English or Spanish18:00

Guide in English or Spanish18:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 1): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Manuel's Tours, Costa Rica.

Is this one for you?Choose the small-group option if you want a naturalist guide's full attention and the flexibility to request specific animals; pick the private tour if your group prefers to search without other visitors; select the video and photo tour if you want professional-quality images of nocturnal wildlife as your main takeaway.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 1): free.

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 24h before the start.

What animals am I likely to see on a night jungle tour in Manuel Antonio?

The tour regularly encounters spiders, colorful tree frogs, lizards, and snakes. Anteaters, sloths, armadillos, and occasionally ocelots also live on the property, though sightings of the larger mammals are less frequent. The guide will search for any specific animal you request as you walk.

How many people go on the Manuel Antonio night jungle tour?

Groups stay at 4–6 people maximum, keeping the experience small and allowing the guide to give personalized attention and answer questions without the pace becoming rushed.

What's included in the night jungle tour besides the guide?

The tour includes a certified naturalist guide, waterproof flashlights, clean rain boots to wear during the walk, and all photos and videos taken with Swarovski telescopes. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

What should I wear for a night jungle tour in Manuel Antonio?

Closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots) are required. Crocs and semi-open-toe shoes are not permitted. Wear comfortable long pants and a light cotton shirt. The operator provides clean rain boots for the walk itself.

Can the night jungle tour be cancelled due to weather?

During the rainy season (early May through late December), heavy rain or windy conditions may force a cancellation or reschedule to another day of your stay. Booking early in your arrival gives you more flexibility if weather interferes.

Do I need to be fit to do the night jungle tour in Manuel Antonio?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. The walk covers uneven terrain in darkness, so stability and endurance matter.