Search for red-eyed tree frogs, eyelash vipers, and other nocturnal herpetofauna on a small-group night herping tour adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park. Guides provide lights, a spotting scope, and focused interpretation for up to six guests.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A warm coastal night settles over the edge of Manuel Antonio where the forest meets a seasonal creek and the first beam of a guide’s flashlight cuts through humid air. On a guided herping walk, the leaf litter, low branches and the creek’s margins become stages: a red-eyed tree frog clings to a palm frond, an eyelash viper hangs motionless in the understory, and a basilisk freezes mid-step before the light reveals its iridescent scales.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—able to walk uneven, sometimes slippery trails and stand or crouch for short periods.
Wildlife
History
Manuel Antonio National Park, established in 1972, helped catalyze Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry and protects coastal rainforest communities on volcanic terrain.
Conservation
Tours operate with strict wildlife protocols to minimize disturbance; visitors are asked to avoid handling animals, use no flash photography, and stay on designated paths.
Reserve your spot on the Manuel Antonio Herping Night Tour (Reptiles and Amphibians) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Wear closed-toe, grippy shoes
Trails are damp and uneven at night; sturdy hiking shoes reduce slips and protect feet from undergrowth and thorny plants.
Bring a headlamp with a red filter
A headlamp frees your hands for photography and red light preserves animal behavior better than white light.
Move slowly and listen
Many species reveal themselves by sound first—stop, be still, and the forest’s chorus will point the way.
Follow handling and distance rules
Never touch venomous snakes; trust the guide’s protocols for safety and the animals’ welfare.
Closed-toe hiking shoes
Provide traction and protect feet on damp, uneven night trails.
Headlamp with red-light mode
Hands-free illumination that minimizes disturbance to wildlife and aids photography.
Lightweight rain jacket
Useful during the wet season when showers are frequent and temperatures stay warm.
summer
Macro-capable camera or smartphone lens
Helps capture small amphibians and detailed close-ups during guided stops.