Manuel Antonio National Park day trip: Wildlife & beach

Crocodiles, rainforest and a white-sand beach in one day from the capital

A full-day tour from San José combines a crocodile viewpoint at Tárcoles River, guided wildlife spotting in Manuel Antonio National Park's rainforest, and free time on Playa Espadilla beach. A certified naturalist guide helps identify sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas and birds. You spend roughly three and a half hours in the park, with time to swim, sunbathe or hike the trails before lunch and the return drive at sunset.

Step-by-step itinerary

Manuel Antonio National Park and Beach Day

• Pick up from San Jose hotels
• Breakfast stop en route
• View crocodiles at Tarcoles River Bridge
• Travel along scenic coastline
• Guided rainforest walk or beach time
• Relax on Playa Espadilla beach
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return to San Jose hotel

The experience

Pickup starts at 5am from San José hotels. The route heads toward the coast with a breakfast stop, then reaches the Tárcoles River Bridge viewpoint where the famous crocodiles gather at the river mouth: a chance to photograph them before the park itself. From there the drive follows the coastline with views opening toward the Pacific, and you enter Manuel Antonio National Park in the late morning.

Once inside the park, you choose your own rhythm. Those wanting the guided experience walk with a certified naturalist who points out the forest's plants and animals. Those preferring the beach head straight to Playa Espadilla's white sand and turquoise water. The park time runs roughly three and a half hours, long enough to swim, sunbathe, walk the trails or combine both. A bilingual guide is included for the naturalist walk, and the park's trails let you move at your own pace through the rainforest canopy where sloths, monkeys, toucans and iguanas live.

After leaving the park, lunch happens at a local restaurant. The return to San José follows the coast at sunset, arriving back at your hotel after the full 13-hour day. Breakfast and lunch are included. Bring your own water in a single-use bottle, as plastic bottles and prepared food are forbidden inside the park. A hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimsuit and towel are essentials.

What’s included

• Breakfast and lunch at local restaurants.
• transportation from San José hotels and nearby areas.
• professional bilingual tour guide for the naturalist walk.
• all park fees and taxes.
• specialized infant seats if needed.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 05:00

AgesAdult (11 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Expediciones Tropicales Day Tours

Is this one for you?The 13-hour commitment leaves no time for other activities in the Central Valley, so book this when a full beach and rainforest day is your only plan. The early 5am pickup and sunset return mean you are traveling during the cooler hours and catching the best light for wildlife spotting, but you will not see San José itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

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 24 h before the start.

What wildlife can I actually see at Manuel Antonio National Park?

Sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas and exotic birds live in the rainforest canopy and trails. The Tárcoles River viewpoint earlier in the day is where the large crocodiles gather at the river mouth, giving you a second wildlife moment before the park itself.

How much time do I spend swimming and relaxing on the beach?

Playa Espadilla is part of your roughly three and a half hours inside the park, so you can split that time between guided rainforest walking and beach time, or skip the walk entirely and spend the whole window on the sand and in the water.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

Breakfast, lunch, transportation from your San José hotel, park entry and a bilingual naturalist guide are included. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, swimsuit and towel. Water in a single-use bottle is allowed in the park, but plastic bottles and prepared food are forbidden.

How early does the day start, and when do I get back?

Pickup begins at 5am from San José hotels, and the full day runs 13 hours, with return to your hotel after sunset. Confirm your exact pickup time the day before. There is a five-minute flexibility window.