Manuel Antonio: Jungle Night Walk & Wildlife Photos with Pickup

Summary

Night jungle walks in Manuel Antonio for wildlife lovers with hotel pickup included

You’ll step into Manuel Antonio’s living night world—guided by locals who know every sound and shadow. Expect up-close views of frogs, snakes, maybe even sloths or kinkajous (if luck’s on your side), plus digiscoped photos taken right through the guide’s lens. Includes hotel pickup and flashlights; just don’t forget your cash for entry.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely left the van when the air changed—sticky, thick, and humming with all sorts of chirps I couldn’t place. Our guide, Andrés, handed out flashlights (mine flickered at first—he swapped it without a word) and told us to keep our voices low. The first thing I noticed was how alive everything felt after sunset; it’s like the whole forest was waiting for us to leave during the day so it could get on with its real business.

I’ll admit, I jumped when something rustled near my feet. “Just a grasshopper,” Andrés grinned, shining his light on a creature bigger than my thumb. He had this way of spotting things I never would’ve noticed—tiny frogs clinging to leaves, a snake coiled so tightly on a branch it looked like part of the tree. He let us look through his scope and even snapped photos with our phones (I still show off that blurry frog pic). There was this moment where we all stood still because he thought he heard a kinkajou above us—didn’t see it, but the suspense made my heart thump.

The smells were mostly earth and wet leaves, sometimes sharp when we brushed past certain plants. Every now and then someone’s flashlight beam would catch a spider or tarantula’s eyeshine—one guy in our group just whispered “nope” and stepped back fast. It wasn’t scary exactly, more like being let in on some secret club that only meets after dark. Oh—and bring cash for the entrance fee; one couple forgot and had to borrow from another traveler (awkward but kind of funny).

I didn’t expect to feel so small out there—or so connected. Even now if I close my eyes, I can hear those layered jungle sounds again. If you’re curious about what really happens in Manuel Antonio at night, this is probably as close as you’ll get without turning into a frog yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Night wildlife tour in Manuel Antonio

• Pick up from accommodation
• Walk in forest after sunset
• Spot frogs, scorpions, snakes, and more
• View animals through spotting scope
• Take photos through spotting scope

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in the Manuel Antonio jungle night tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price.

How long does the jungle night walk last?

The walk lasts about 2 hours in total.

What animals might I see during the night tour?

You may spot frogs, scorpions, snakes, lizards, tarantulas, grasshoppers, spiders—and sometimes kinkajous, deer or sloths.

Is there an entrance fee for the tour?

Yes, there is a $10 per person entrance fee payable in cash only.

Are flashlights provided on this tour?

Yes, flashlights are provided for all participants.

Can I take photos during the night walk?

Your guide will help take photos through their spotting scope using your smartphone.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The walk is easy and suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Should I bring anything special for this tour?

You must wear tennis shoes or similar footwear and bring a reusable water bottle.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off (or free parking if you drive yourself), bottled water (bring your own bottle), expert local guide service with digiscoping through their spotting scope so you can get great wildlife photos on your phone, use of flashlights throughout the walk—and plenty of time to ask questions or just listen to the forest breathe around you.