Manuel Antonio National Park: 2-Hour Guided Forest Tour

Two Hours in Manuel Antonio's Forest with a Certified Naturalist

You get a bilingual naturalist guide for two hours of forest walking, professional equipment, and video documentation of what you see. Park entry fees are paid separately at the gate. The guide interprets the ecosystem and wildlife as you move through the main trails, stopping at beaches and mangrove sections depending on conditions. Minimum two people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour at Manuel Antonio Park

• Meet certified ICT guide
• Begin 2-hour daytime walk
• Explore forest and wildlife
• Take photos and videos
• Learn natural history
• Visit nearby beaches

The experience

So you're standing at the edge of the park and your guide is already pointing out a three-toed sloth you'd have walked straight past. That's the difference between wandering in and actually seeing what's there. The 2-hour guided tour through Manuel Antonio National Park puts a certified ICT guide between you and the forest, someone who knows where the howler monkeys call from, which vines are safe to touch, and why that particular tree matters to the ecosystem. You're not just taking pictures. You're getting the story behind them, the natural history that makes the biodiversity make sense.

The walk itself moves at a daytime pace (nothing extreme, nothing rushed), and covers the main trails where you'll encounter the variety of species the region is known for. Endemic animals, different beach access points like Punta Catedral and Espadilla Sur, mangrove sections if the tide and timing work: your guide reads the conditions and adjusts. They bring professional equipment and shoot video footage alongside your own photos, so you leave with more than just what your phone captured. The bilingual guide means you get the information in English or Spanish, whichever lands better for you.

One thing to know upfront: park admission tickets are separate from the guide service, so you'll need to arrange and pay for entry when you arrive. The minimum booking is two people, which keeps groups small enough that you're actually hearing the guide and not standing in a crowd. Quepos sits on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, and Manuel Antonio is the main draw. This tour is built for people who want the guided experience without having to figure out the forest on their own.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a bilingual certified guide, professional guiding equipment, and video documentation of the walk.
• You arrange park admission separately.
• The 2-hour guided experience covers the main forest trails and beach access points within Manuel Antonio National Park, with the guide interpreting the ecosystem, wildlife, and natural history as you move through the region.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDepartures at 07:30 and 11:00

AgesAdult (8 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 80 years) · Child (1 to 7 years)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Our meeting point will be at the KATO OUTDOOR Store”

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 16 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Nature Tours Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a naturalist's eye on the forest and don't want to navigate the trails alone. The guide is what transforms a walk into an understanding of what you're actually seeing.

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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 (1 to 7 years).

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.

Is park admission included in the tour price?

No. Park entry tickets are purchased separately when you arrive. The guide fee covers only the guided interpretation and professional equipment.

How long is the walk and how difficult is it?

The tour is 2 hours and moves at a daytime pace. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though the terrain is natural forest floor with some elevation changes.

What's the minimum group size?

Two people minimum per booking.

Do I get photos or video from the tour?

The guide brings professional equipment and shoots video. You can take your own photos and videos as well.

Is the guide bilingual?

Yes. The guide speaks both English and Spanish.

What beaches are included in the tour?

The main trails access Punta Catedral, Espadilla Sur, and other beach sections depending on tide and timing. Your guide adjusts the route based on conditions.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Some sections are wheelchair accessible, though the forest trails have natural terrain. Confirm with the operator about which areas work for your needs.