Manuel Antonio National Park tour: Rainforest and beach

Rainforest walk, wildlife spotting, and white-sand beach in one day from the capital

A full-day guided tour from San José to Manuel Antonio National Park combines a scenic coastal drive, a rainforest hike through the protected area, and time to swim and relax at Manuel Antonio Beach. Your guide leads you along natural paths where sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds live, then you walk back to lunch before the return journey to the city. Park entry, breakfast, lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Manuel Antonio National Park tour

• Pick up in San José
• Drive along Route 27 and Costanera Sur
• Stop for breakfast and restroom break
• Walk rainforest trails in national park
• Observe wildlife and hike to Punta Catedral
• Relax and swim at Manuel Antonio Beach
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Return drive to San José

The experience

The day starts with pickup in San José and a drive along Route 27 toward the Pacific coast, passing mountain views and agricultural plantations as you descend toward the Costanera Sur highway. About 45 minutes into the journey, you stop for breakfast or coffee and a bathroom break: a chance to settle in before the final 90 minutes to Manuel Antonio. The road itself is part of the experience: you're watching the landscape shift from the Central Valley toward the coast.

Once at the park, your guide takes you on a walk through rainforest along a natural path that leads down to the beach. This is where the wildlife appears: sloths hanging in the canopy, howler monkeys calling from the trees, raccoons on the forest floor, iguanas, and tropical birds. The trails are walkable for most fitness levels, and if you want to push further, Punta Catedral offers a viewpoint worth the camera work. You can swim in the turquoise water at Manuel Antonio Beach, explore the coastline on foot, or stay on the sand. The time is yours to split between the forest and the water.

After the park, you walk back to the restaurant for lunch and a soft drink before heading back to San José. The return journey takes roughly three hours. The full day runs 12 to 13 hours from pickup to drop-off, so you're leaving early and returning in the evening.

What’s included

• Pickup from San José.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
• national park entrance.
• breakfast.
• lunch with a soft drink.
• a guide in English or Spanish throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Inside Tours Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The tour leaves from San José with hotel pickup included, so you don't need a car or have to navigate to a meeting point. It's built for travelers staying in the capital who want to reach Manuel Antonio's rainforest and beach in a single day without driving themselves.

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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 (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

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 animals will I actually see on the rainforest walk at Manuel Antonio?

Sloths, howler monkeys, raccoons, iguanas, and tropical birds live in the park and are commonly spotted along the natural paths your guide uses. The canopy and forest floor both hold wildlife, so keep your eyes moving between the trees and the ground.

Is there time to swim at Manuel Antonio Beach, or is it just a quick stop?

You have time to swim, relax on the sand, explore the coastline, or simply sit: the schedule builds in a window at the beach before you walk back to the restaurant for lunch. How you use that time is up to you.

How long is the drive from San José to Manuel Antonio National Park?

The drive takes roughly three hours each way. You leave San José early, stop for about 45 minutes for breakfast and a break, then continue for another 90 minutes to reach the park entrance.

What's included in the tour price?

Park entrance, breakfast, lunch with a soft drink, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guide in English or Spanish are all included. Tips are not included.

Do I need to arrange anything before the tour, or can I just show up?

You'll need to provide your full name and passport number at least 24 hours before the tour so the guide can add you to the park ticket. Send this information with your reservation. Without it, entry cannot be guaranteed.