A full-day guided trip from San José to Manuel Antonio National Park that combines rainforest wildlife viewing with free time on Pacific beaches. Ideal for travelers wanting easy walking, reliable wildlife sightings, and a beach finish to the day.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the coastal highway and the air changes: humid, salt-scented, threaded with bird calls. The route from San José drops through farming valleys before the forest rises again in a riot of green. At Manuel Antonio National Park the trail squeezes through low canopy, roots folding into the path, and the Pacific glitters beyond a stand of palms.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
12 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires standing and walking up to a few kilometers on uneven, low-gradient trails.
Wildlife
History
Declared a national park in 1972, Manuel Antonio protects coastal rainforest and marine habitats on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and has become a model for small-park tourism management.
Conservation
High visitor numbers require strict trail etiquette—stay on marked paths, never feed wildlife, and use reef-safe sunscreen to reduce reef and wildlife impacts.
Reserve your spot on the P.N. Day Tour Manuel Antonio today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Hydrate before the hike
Bring at least 1–2 liters of water per person—tropical humidity increases fluid loss even on easy trails.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes
Trails have exposed roots and rocky steps; trail runners or light hiking shoes give better traction than flip-flops.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
You’ll move between shaded forest and open beach; UV exposure can be strong even on cloudy days.
Keep your distance from wildlife
Guides enforce a non-interaction policy—no feeding or touching animals—to protect both visitors and wildlife.
Sturdy trail runners or hiking shoes
Provide grip and protect feet on rooty, sometimes muddy park trails.
Light rain jacket or poncho
Afternoon or short tropical showers are common during the rainy season.
summer
Binoculars
Helps spot canopy species—toucan, monkeys, and sloths—without disturbing them.
Reef-safe sunscreen and sun hat
Protects skin during exposed beach time and open viewpoints.
summer