Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Walk & Beach Time with Photos

Summary

Walk the jungle trails, spot wildlife up close, relax by the sea

You’ll follow an expert local guide along Manuel Antonio’s trails with optical gear to spot sloths, monkeys, frogs and more — plus get HD photos as souvenirs. Afterward, unwind on white and black sand beaches or hike at your own pace. It’s real Costa Rica: wild sounds, laughter from your group, maybe even new friends.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t actually think I’d see a sloth that close — I mean, you always hear about them in Costa Rica, but seeing one just hanging there (literally), blinking at us like we were the slow ones? That was something else. Our guide, Andrés, had this way of spotting things I’d never notice; he’d pause mid-step and suddenly there’s a tiny frog or a camouflaged lizard right where you’d swear it was only leaves. He handed me the telescope so I could see a toucan’s feathers up close — not just colors but all these textures, almost like paint strokes. And yeah, I definitely fumbled my Spanish when I tried to say “perezoso” (sloth). Andrés just grinned.

The air in Manuel Antonio is thick — not in a bad way, more like you can feel every leaf breathing around you. There were families from San José on school break and a couple from Germany who kept gasping whenever a monkey swung overhead. The monkeys are loud, by the way — not shy at all. At some point we stopped for a bit because someone spotted a snake curled up on a branch (don’t worry, it was far enough away). I could smell salt and something sweet from the beach even before we got there.

After the tour part ended, they let us wander down to the sand — both white and black beaches side by side, which I didn’t expect. Some people went swimming right away but I just sat for a while watching pelicans dive. The guide sent us all the animal photos later that night; better than anything my phone managed through binoculars. Honestly, if you’re into wildlife or just want to walk somewhere that feels alive in every sense, this day trip in Manuel Antonio is worth it. Still think about that sloth sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided walk and beach visit

• Meet licensed local guide
• Use telescope and binoculars
• Spot sloths, monkeys, snakes
• Take photos of wildlife
• Enjoy white and black sand beaches
• Hike additional park trails

Top questions

How long does the guided walk in Manuel Antonio last?

The guided portion usually lasts around 2-3 hours before free time at the beach.

Are HD animal photos included in this tour?

Yes, you’ll receive free HD photos of animals spotted during your tour as part of your souvenir.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in strollers.

What animals might we see during this day trip in Manuel Antonio?

You may spot sloths (three-clawed), monkeys, snakes, lizards, frogs and various birds.

Is transportation provided to Manuel Antonio?

No hotel pickup is mentioned but public transportation options are nearby and accessible.

Can we swim or hike after the guided tour?

Yes, after your walk you can enjoy swimming at the park’s beaches or explore additional trails on your own.

Is lunch included during this wildlife tour?

No lunch is included; you have free time after for personal activities like eating or relaxing at the beach.

What’s included

Your day includes walking with a certified bilingual guide using telescopes and binoculars to spot wildlife in their natural habitat; you’ll get free HD animal photos as souvenirs. All areas are wheelchair accessible and strollers are welcome. Afterward you’re free to enjoy both white and black sand beaches or hike more trails at your own pace.