Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Private Walk with Entry

Spot hidden wildlife on the trails, then unwind on white and black sand beaches

A private guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with an official local guide, park entry and a refreshment included. You walk the trails for around two hours with a professional who points out camouflaged animals and takes HD photos with a telescope. Afterward, you're free to spend the rest of the day on the park's beaches and in the cafeteria.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour and beach visit

• Walk trails with certified guide
• Enjoy appetizer at cafeteria
• Relax on Manuel Antonio beaches

The experience

The guide carries a professional telescope to photograph and film the animals you find, and those images become your souvenir at the end. A licensed local guide knows where the wildlife actually is, the camouflaged species most visitors miss, and explains the natural history of each animal as you encounter it. The trails themselves are the draw: you move through them at a pace that lets you notice things, not rushed through with a crowd of ten or fifteen people all stopping at once.

After roughly two hours on the trails, you head to the cafeteria for an included appetizer: fresh fruit and a natural drink, a ten or fifteen minute stop before you're free to move on. The beaches of Manuel Antonio sit close by: white sand beaches backed by coral reefs and black sand beaches formed from volcanic sediment. Showers, changing tables and toilets are near each beach. Most visitors stay for about an hour, then drift into the cafeteria or simply sit. The beach closes at 3pm and the park at 4pm, but you can stay all day if you want to linger after the guided portion ends.

The tour works for children from age five onward. Guides speak English or Spanish. Wheelchair access runs through all areas and surfaces, and strollers work on the trails. Shuttle service from your hotel isn't included but can be arranged separately if you ask.

What’s included

• Park entry.
• fresh fruit and a natural drink at the cafeteria.
• professional telescope photography and HD video of the wildlife you encounter, with images provided as your souvenir.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDepartures at 07:30, 11:00 and 12:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Youth (9 to 11 years) · Child (5 to 8 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tours guiados en Manuel Antonio con interpreters of the nature CR

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a small group or private experience and don't want to navigate the park's trails on your own: the guide's eye for spotting camouflaged animals and knowledge of their behavior is what transforms a walk into an actual wildlife encounter. The private format also means you can adjust your pace and timing to avoid the standard tour crowds.

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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: Youth (9 to 11 years); Child (5 to 8 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What animals will I actually see on the Manuel Antonio trails?

The guide's specialized knowledge is what makes the difference: they spot the camouflaged species most visitors walk past. Sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and smaller reptiles and birds in their natural habitats. The professional telescope lets you see them clearly and photograph them in HD.

How much time do I get on the beaches after the guided walk?

After the two-hour guided portion and the cafeteria stop, you're free to spend the rest of your day on the beaches. The beach closes at 3pm and the park at 4pm, so you can stay as long as you want within those hours.

Is the park entrance fee really included in the price?

Yes, park entry is included in this tour. The fresh fruit and natural drink at the cafeteria are also included. Everything else (meals, any additional purchases). You arrange on your own.

Will I be walking with a large group or just my own party?

This is a private guided tour, so you walk with your own group and your licensed guide. Standard group tours in the park run ten to fifteen people. A private tour lets you move at your own pace and use different trail times to avoid the crowds.