Manuel Antonio National Park: Wildlife & Beach Walk from Quepos

Monkeys, Sloths & a Hidden Beach: Manuel Antonio in One Morning

You walk through Manuel Antonio with a professional guide who spots wildlife most visitors miss (monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles), then finish at a white-sand beach where you can swim. Hotel pickup, snacks and all park entry are included. Groups stay under 15 people, and the pace suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Manuel Antonio National Park

• Walk through Manuel Antonio Park
• Observe monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles
• End walk at Manuel Antonio beach

The experience

The trail is already moving when you arrive. Your guide is pointing out a howler monkey high in the canopy before you've taken ten steps into Manuel Antonio National Park. Groups stay small, capped at 15 people, which means you're not shuffling behind a crowd of fifty trying to spot the same three-toed sloth. The park sits just outside Quepos on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, and the wildlife here is the kind you don't need binoculars to see: monkeys swing overhead, sloths hang motionless in the branches, and if you're quiet enough, you'll catch the flash of a scarlet macaw or an iguana sunning itself on a low branch.

Your guide knows where to look and when to stop. They point out the birds most people miss (toucans, herons, smaller species that move fast), and they know the rhythm of the animals, which hours they're active, which trees they favor. The walk isn't punishing. It moves at a pace that lets you actually see things instead of just hiking past them. You're not scrambling up steep terrain or pushing through dense jungle. The trail is managed and clear, and the park itself is compact enough that you can cover the main sights without spending the whole day on your feet. Snacks are included, which matters when you're out in the heat for a few hours.

The beach at the end is the payoff. Manuel Antonio's white sand and calm water sit at the trail's end, and most people spend time here: swimming, wading, just sitting after the walk. It's not a secret anymore, but it's still worth the trip. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you're not figuring out how to get from your accommodation to the park entrance or back afterward. The whole experience runs a few hours, not a full day, which fits if you want to see the park without sacrificing the rest of your morning or afternoon.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from your Quepos accommodation, a professional guide who leads the nature walk through Manuel Antonio, snacks during the tour, and entry to the national park. The guide handles spotting wildlife and explaining what you're seeing.
• you just show up with sunscreen and a bathing suit ready for the beach at the end.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDepartures at 07:00, 10:00 and 12:30

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (1 to 5 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 21 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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 10 days ago

Operated by Iguana Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Manuel Antonio's wildlife and beach without arranging your own transport or buying separate park tickets: the guide and the small group size are what make spotting animals realistic instead of frustrating.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 5 years).

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 24h before the start.

How long is the Manuel Antonio National Park tour?

The tour runs a few hours. Exact duration depends on the group's pace and how long you spend at the beach, but it's designed as a morning or half-day activity, not a full-day commitment.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Quepos accommodation are included in the tour price.

What wildlife will I see?

The park is known for howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, various bird species including toucans and macaws, and reptiles like iguanas. Sightings depend on timing and luck, but the guide knows where animals are typically active.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear a bathing suit under your clothes, bring a towel, sunscreen and hiking shoes. The trail is manageable but uneven in places, so proper footwear matters.

What's included in the price?

Professional guide, snacks, hotel pickup and drop-off, and park entry are all included.

How many people are in a typical group?

Groups are capped at 15 people maximum. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.

Can I request a vegetarian meal or have dietary needs met?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available, and the tour operator can accommodate specific dietary requirements if you advise them at the time of booking.

Is the trail wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and transportation options to and from the park are also wheelchair accessible. Check with the operator about specific trail sections if you have mobility concerns.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The trail is not steep or strenuous, though it does involve walking on uneven ground for a couple of hours.