Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Walk & Beach Time with Guide & Photos

Summary

Monkey calls echo through green trails as sloths nap above white sand

You’ll walk shaded jungle trails in Manuel Antonio with a local guide who helps you spot monkeys, sloths, and birds you’d miss on your own. There’s time for laughs over language mix-ups, fresh fruit on the beach, and pro photos so you don’t have to worry about your camera. It’s less about rushing and more about soaking up every wild sound and color.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was how loud the monkeys were — not just noise, but this wild, echoing chatter bouncing off the trees. Our guide, Diego, grinned when I jumped at a branch rustling overhead (it was just a capuchin, but still). He handed me the telescope to spot a sloth curled up like a fuzzy comma high above us. I probably never would’ve seen it without him pointing out that patch of gray fur blending into the leaves. The air smelled like wet earth and something sweet — maybe those tiny yellow flowers everywhere.

I kept getting distracted by these flashes of blue and green — hummingbirds darting around our heads while Diego explained which animals we might see along the trails in Manuel Antonio. He had this way of stopping mid-sentence if he heard a bird call, then whispering for us to look left or right. We saw three kinds of monkeys (the squirrel ones are my favorite now), plus a deer that froze in the shadows for a second before disappearing. At one point Diego tried to teach me how to say “sloth” in Spanish; I butchered it and he laughed so hard he almost dropped his binoculars.

After all that walking — honestly, I lost track of time — we ended up on this beach with sand so white it almost hurt my eyes. The waves were gentle enough that even little kids were splashing around, and someone handed out fresh fruit and cold drinks while we went through Diego’s photos from earlier (he somehow caught the moment I ducked from a low branch… thanks for that). I still think about that view sometimes — sky all bright, salt in the air, everything kind of glowing. Didn’t want to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided walk and wildlife observation

• Introduction to Manuel Antonio Park
• Receive park rules and information
• Guided walk on park trails
• Observe animals with telescope
• Learn about monkeys, sloths, and birds
• Visit waterfalls inside the park
• Explore viewpoints and mangrove areas
• Relax at white sand beach
• Receive professional photos

Top questions

How long is the guided tour in Manuel Antonio?

The guided walk covers several trails inside Manuel Antonio and ends at the beach; total time varies but expect half a day including beach time.

Are there chances to see sloths or monkeys?

Yes, guides help spot 2- and 3-toed sloths plus three monkey species during the tour using telescopes and binoculars.

Is food or drink included during the tour?

Fresh fruit and soft drinks are provided during private tours, especially at the beach after walking.

Is Manuel Antonio accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, most areas are wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in prams or strollers along park paths.

Do I get professional wildlife photos from this tour?

Yes, your guide takes high-quality animal photos throughout the tour and shares them with you at the end.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided wildlife walk with all entry fees covered, use of telescopes for animal spotting, professional photos taken by your guide along the way, plus fresh fruit and cold drinks at the beach before heading back whenever you’re ready.