Manuel Antonio: Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour & Dinner

Summary

Nighttime boat ride in Manuel Antonio’s mangroves with wildlife spotting and dinner included

You’ll glide through shadowy mangrove channels near Manuel Antonio by boat with a local guide, searching for crocodiles, bats, crabs, and more as night falls around you. No walking needed—just watch as nocturnal wildlife comes alive before your eyes. The evening wraps up with dinner and stories shared under warm Costa Rican air—a memory that lingers long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I was a little nervous about the idea of drifting through the mangroves at night. But that’s exactly why I booked this night mangrove safari tour in Manuel Antonio. Curiosity won out. The air felt thick and sweet as we climbed into the boat, and our guide, Andrés, grinned like he had a secret. He flicked on his flashlight and suddenly the water seemed alive—eyes glinting here and there, weird rustling sounds coming from somewhere behind us. Someone up front whispered, “Did you see that?” I didn’t, but I could smell the wet earth and hear something splash nearby.

Andrés pointed out a crocodile lounging half-submerged, just its snout poking above the water. He told us about how most of these animals—crocs, boas, even anteaters—are only really active after dark. It’s wild to think that 70% of the wildlife here is nocturnal. We saw bats swooping low over our heads (I ducked instinctively—don’t judge), and at one point he shone his light on a crab scuttling along a root so fast it looked like it was late for something important. The whole time I kept catching whiffs of salty mud mixed with something almost floral from the trees.

No walking on this tour—just sitting back while Andrés steered us through narrow channels that felt like secret hallways. At one point he started telling stories about growing up nearby and how his dad used to fish these waters before sunrise. There was laughter when someone tried to pronounce “garrobo” (the big lizard) and butchered it completely—Andrés just shook his head, smiling.

Dinner afterwards tasted better than I expected—maybe because my nerves had finally settled or maybe because food always hits different after an adventure. I still think about that hush on the water, broken only by frogs croaking somewhere in the dark. If you’re thinking about a night mangrove tour from Manuel Antonio, just go for it—you’ll remember those strange sounds long after you’ve left Costa Rica.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Night Mangrove Safari and Wildlife Viewing

• Board boat for mangrove tour
• Explore mangrove channels safely
• Observe nocturnal wildlife
• Spot crocodiles, boas, and bats
• See anteaters, sloths, and birds
• Enjoy views of crabs and raccoons
• Return from night safari

Top questions

Is the night mangrove safari boat tour in Manuel Antonio wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas of the tour are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

What animals might I see during the night mangrove tour?

You may spot crocodiles, turtles, boas, lizards, bats, birds, crabs, raccoons, anteaters, and more nocturnal wildlife.

Does this tour include dinner?

Yes, dinner is included after your night safari boat experience.

Is hotel pickup included for this Manuel Antonio night mangrove tour?

The tour includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle as part of your booking.

Will there be any walking during this night mangrove safari?

No walking is required; all exploration happens from a fully equipped boat.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from your hotel area around Manuel Antonio, all entrance fees and taxes covered up front so there’s nothing extra to worry about later—and once you’ve finished exploring by boat with your guide (no walking needed), you’ll sit down for dinner together before heading back out into the warm Costa Rican night.