Manuel Antonio National Park is the most visited national park in Costa Rica — and for good reason. In just 680 hectares you will find white-sand beaches, primary rainforest and one of the highest densities of wildlife in the country: three species of monkeys, two species of sloths, hundreds of birds, iguanas, coatis and much more. This guide, written by local certified naturalist guides, covers everything you need to plan your 2026 visit.
→ Book a Guided Tour of Manuel Antonio Park (tickets included)
The park is open Wednesday to Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Last entrance is at 3:00 p.m.
Important: the park is CLOSED every Tuesday for maintenance and to give the wildlife a rest day. Plan your itinerary accordingly.
The best time to enter is right at 7:00 a.m. — animals are most active in the early morning, temperatures are cooler and the trails are less crowded.
Tickets must be purchased in advance through the official SINAC system — they are not sold at the park entrance. Daily capacity is limited and tickets sell out fast in high season (December–April). When you book a guided tour with us, your park tickets are already included, so you skip that process entirely.
| Entrance Only | Guided Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (adult) | $18.08 | $60 (ticket included) |
| Park ticket | You buy it yourself on SINAC | Included — we handle everything |
| Wildlife spotting | Most visitors walk past 90% of the animals without seeing them | Certified guide + professional Swarovski telescope |
| Photos through telescope | — | Yes, with your own phone |
| Transportation | — | One-way pickup from Manuel Antonio / Quepos hotels |
| Group size | — | Maximum 8 people |
| Duration | At your pace | 2+ hours guided, then free beach time |
Can you visit without a guide? Yes. Should you? Honestly — sloths, camouflaged like a clump of leaves 25 meters up a cecropia tree, are nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye. A certified naturalist guide will show you 10 times more wildlife than you would find alone, and you take incredible photos through the telescope with your own phone.
→ Reserve your spot with a certified local guide
Manuel Antonio is home to white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, endangered Central American squirrel monkeys, two-toed and three-toed sloths, green and black iguanas, basilisk lizards, agoutis, coatis, raccoons, fiery-billed aracaris and over 350 bird species. Read our complete Wildlife of Manuel Antonio guide to know what to look for and the best hours to see each animal.
Unfortunately, unofficial vendors and fake “guides” operate on the road to the park. Common scams include selling fake or overpriced tickets, charging for parking lots far from the entrance and posing as official park staff. Protect yourself:
No. The park is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Monday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$18.08 USD for non-resident adults and $5.65 USD for children aged 2–12 (2026 prices, tax included). Tickets must be bought online in advance.
No. Tickets are only sold online through SINAC and sell out days in advance during high season. Booking a guided tour includes your ticket.
Most visitors spend 4 to 5 hours: 2+ hours spotting wildlife on the trails and the rest relaxing at Playa Manuel Antonio.
Yes. The main trail and the Sloth Trail boardwalk are flat and accessible. Strollers and wheelchairs can use the universal trail.
Ready to experience Manuel Antonio with a local expert? Our certified bilingual guides, professional telescopes and small groups (max 8 people) guarantee you will see the wildlife everyone else walks past. Every booking includes a $2 donation per person to Kazan Karate for Kids, a local program sponsoring children in Manuel Antonio.
→ Book Your Manuel Antonio Guided Tour Now