Customizable guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
As advertised, we only operate small-group, private, or customized tour options to give you the flexibility to choose and tailor the tour program that best suits your travel itinerary, or simply your boutique and tour style.
As experienced, certified guides, our commitment to and love of nature is the guiding principle to ensure that every visitor receives a memorable, educational, and professional tour with the quality you deserve and that we promote.
If you are not an extreme bird watcher, or just want to have a leisurely breakfast, we can always start the tour at 8:00 am, 9:00 am or even 10:00 am.
BEACH TIME NOTE: Upon advance request, additional beach time can be provided with pre-arranged return transportation after the tour. If you book the 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. tour, the beach time will be very limited, as the park beaches close at 3:00 p.m. (showers close at 3:30 p.m.). If you'd like to take a quick dip, please let us know before the tour starts.
Options
Customizable-Private-Entrance
ENTRY TICKET INCLUDED
An extra hour Hike: An additional one-hour hike to Cathedral Point Trail or El Mirador Trail is included.
Private Tour : Ideal for active families, small groups or couples who just don't feel like sharing their vacation memories with others.
Duration: 4 hours: We'll suggest the best trails or areas depending on the season, weather conditions, or animal species requests.
Snack: Halfway through the tour you will be provided with freshly cut fruit, cold water and juice.
Counterclockwise Route: Walk with fewer people around and less noise, focus on the journey, and observe local wildlife.
Transfer or Official taxi : Includes round-trip transportation or parking, at the client's request.
Pickup included
What's included in Customizable guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Manuel Antonio National Park
We begin by briefly describing the facilities, trails, and beach areas we will walk and visit on our 3-hour guided tour. We will make recommendations depending on the season and type of group that will be attending the tour. As mentioned above, we will do the tour in the opposite direction (anti-clockwise) of the standard operators and guides, the idea is to walk with less people and noise, focus on what the tour is about, observe the local wildlife, learn about iconic tropical species and, if possible, take a great photo or video. The most common species are sloths (both species), monkeys, bats, agoutis, tree frogs, toucans, and even snakes.
Playa Espadilla Sur
Since we developed our tour in the opposite direction, this will be the first beach you will see, located at the end of the elevated boardwalk or Sendero Universal El Manglar. Playa Espadilla Sur waves can be very quiet and calm in the dry season (January to May), but they can be rugged and present a powerful "Backwash" on the steeper beach sandbars. Keep an eye out for sea turtle tracks on the beach, and if you're lucky, you may witness baby sea turtles emerge from their nests. There are showers to rinse off and bathrooms available for your use.
Playa Manuel Antonio
Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio Beach offers a contrast of green-white-blue, in simple words, where the forest meets the beach and the ocean. Ideal for swimming with family or group members of advanced age or with children. There are showers to rinse off and bathrooms available for your use.
Inclusions
- Although Infants (ages 0-2) are admitted free, you must provide us with their name and nationality
- Additional beach time can be provided with pre-arranged return transportation after the tour.
- Professional certified bilingual tour guide (Certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board)
- Entry ticket, all full names, passport numbers, and nationalities must be added at booking.
- Hotel transportation - Included and customizable (IF OPTION SELECTED)
- Use the provided Swarovski Spotting scope to get a closer, deeper look at the parks wildlife.
- Single-use water bottle are prohibited. Please note the need to BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
- Lunch
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Single-use plastics (plastic bags, straws, disposable water or soda bottles) are prohibited. Please note the need to BRING YOUR REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE for the hike.
- No food of any kind is allowed into the park. Visitors with a medical diet (children, pregnant women or diabetics) can bring peeled fruit, a sandwich or similar, prepared and packaged in a reusable container.
- Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, vaporizers, lighters and sharp objects are not permitted in the national park.
- The use of drones, musical instruments, sound devices, flashlights, laser pointers, hunting and fishing equipment is not permitted in the national park.
- There are facilities available for use, those near the beach areas are equipped with dressing rooms and showers to rinse off (soap and shampoo are not permitted).
- The entrance ticket is VALID ONLY ONCE, you will not be able to re-enter if you leave the park. The national park is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Beach areas close at 3:00 pm.
- To protect the nesting sites of endangered sea turtles and iguanas, domestic pets, beach chairs, umbrellas, hammocks, beach balls, tents or any sports equipment (bicycles, surfboards, soccer, frisbee) are NOT permitted in Manuel Antonio National Park.
- It is recommended to wear closed shoes (tennis shoes or hiking boots) to participate in the tour. If you wish, bring sandals or flip-flops to wear on the beach.
- Wear light, breathable, neutral-colored clothing (shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, etc.) Don't wear super bright colors, think about going unnoticed
- Don't forget to bring sunscreen and insect repellent for the hike. Swimsuits, towels, and even snorkeling gear if you plan to stay on the national park beaches.
- Manuel Antonio National Park does not have an official parking lot, instead there are several private parking areas available for ₡5,000/$10 per day (CASH ONLY) We recommend and work with Gonzalo Montenegro (Chalo Parking)
- Subject to favorable weather conditions; if canceled due to poor bad weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
- Please enjoy nature properly, do not touch or feed wild animals, stay on trails, read about poisonous snakes and poisonous trees located in the area, and do not collect shells, sand, or rocks.
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You can choose to be picked up from a list of locations, or alternatively, have the choice to make your own way to the meeting points
Please arrive at the pick up point 15 minutes before departure time.
Additional Information
We suggest driving your own vehicle instead of using our shuttle service. It's much easier and more convenient for both parties. We'll secure a reserved, paid spot at Chalo Parking, allowing you to stay longer on the beach, have lunch at nearby restaurants, or explore the national park trails at your own pace without worrying about the agreed-upon pickup time. We can always share directions and tips about driving to Chalo Parking to avoid any difficulties finding it.
Meeting / End Points
- Manuel Antonio National Park