Manuel Antonio National Park tour: Hike, swim, spot sloths

Rainforest hike, beach swim, and a packed day of wildlife spotting

A full-day tour from San Jose to Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, with round-trip transport, expert guide, and all meals included. You'll hike the park's trails to spot monkeys, iguanas, sloths and birds, swim in clear water at the beach, and climb to Cathedral Point for panoramic views before returning to San Jose.

Step-by-step itinerary

Manuel Antonio National Park full-day tour

• Depart San José early morning
• Enjoy traditional Costa Rican breakfast
• Travel along Costanera Sur Highway
• Admire Pacific Ocean and palm plantations
• Arrive at Manuel Antonio National Park entrance
• Guided hike to spot wildlife
• Relax and swim at the beach
• Hike to Punta Catedral lookout point
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return to San José

The experience

The day starts early from San Jose with a traditional Costa Rican breakfast stop in the Central Valley, then follows the Costanera Sur Highway down to the coast. You'll pass African palm plantations and small Pacific villages before reaching Puerto Quepos and the park entrance. The drive itself is part of the experience: the road hugs the coastline with views that shift from mountains to ocean as you descend.

Once inside Manuel Antonio, a guided hike along maintained trails is where the wildlife appears. Monkeys move through the canopy, iguanas sun themselves on branches, three-toed sloths hang in the trees, and tropical birds call from every direction. The trails are walkable for most fitness levels, though the terrain is uneven and humid. After the hike, you reach the beach: crystal-clear water, white sand, and the option to swim or simply rest. Adventurous visitors can tackle the steeper hike to Cathedral Point, a lookout where the forest meets the ocean and the views justify the climb and the camera work.

Lunch arrives at a local restaurant with your choice of meat, seafood, pasta or vegetarian mains, plus dessert and a drink: water, wine, beer or juice included. The return to San Jose takes the afternoon, arriving after dark. The whole day runs twelve hours door to door, with the park itself consuming the middle of it.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation from San Jose.
• entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park.
• expert local guide leading the hike.
• traditional or American-style breakfast with coffee, juice, water and seasonal fruit.
• lunch with your choice of meat, seafood, pasta or vegetarian main, plus dessert and a drink.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

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 if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Destination Services Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The day is a full twelve hours with an early start and a long drive each way, so it suits travelers who want to pack a complete Manuel Antonio experience into one trip from San Jose without staying overnight on the coast. The hike itself is moderate and the trails are maintained, making it accessible for most fitness levels, though the heat and humidity of the rainforest mean comfortable shoes and water matter.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

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

The park is home to several species of monkeys, iguanas, three-toed sloths, and a variety of tropical birds. What you spot depends on the time of day and season, but the guided hike puts you on trails where these animals are regularly seen moving through the canopy and along the forest floor.

Is there time to swim at the beach, or is it mostly hiking?

Swimming is built into the day. After the guided hike through the trails, you reach the beach with crystal-clear water where you can swim, sunbathe, or simply relax on the sand before lunch and the drive back.

How difficult is the hike to Cathedral Point?

Cathedral Point is a steeper hike than the main park trails, but it's optional. The views from the lookout show the forest and ocean together, making it worth the extra effort if you're comfortable with a more challenging climb and have a camera ready.

What meals and drinks are included?

Breakfast is served at the start: your choice of traditional or American-style, with coffee, juice, water and seasonal fruit. Lunch at a local restaurant includes your choice of meat, seafood, pasta or vegetarian mains, plus dessert. During lunch you get water, wine, beer, juice or a natural drink included.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel pickup, or is transport from my hotel included?

Round-trip transportation from San Jose is included. If you haven't booked a hotel yet, you'll need to provide that information to the operator as soon as possible after purchase so they can arrange the pickup.