Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, about 82 miles southwest of San Jose. It is situated in the province of Puntarenas, near the town of Quepos.
Monteverde is approximately 4 hours north/northeast of Manuel Antonio. The distance is approximately 114 miles between these two towns. The route to Monteverde does have mountainous roads along the way, so it is important to account for up to an hour of additional travel time in order to properly anticipate your arrival in Monteverde.
Approximately 188 miles separate Manuel Antonio from Tamarindo. Tamarindo is located in the Guanacaste province on the northern part of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, while Manuel Antonio is located in the Puntarenas province on the central part of the Pacific coast. Driving time is approximately 5.5-6 hours between the two destinations, but factors like traffic, winding roads, and stopping to rest should be considered. A good rule of thumb while traveling between these two destinations is to anticipate an additional 1-2 hours of travel time in order to correctly anticipate your arrival.
Arenal Volcano is located near the town of La Fortuna in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica. The drive from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna is approximately 5-6 hours. With factors like mountainous roads, tolls, and traffic, a good rule of thumb is to anticipate an additional 30 minutes to one hour of travel time for the trip between these two locations. The total distance between Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna depends on the route taken, but the fastest route using Carr. Pacífica Fernández Oreamuno, Costanera Sur, Route 34 and Route 702 is approximately 136 miles.
As the smallest national park in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park covers an area of approximately 1983 ha or 4900 acres. Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular national parks in Costa Rica, known for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and abundant wildlife. It is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including monkeys, two and three toed sloths, coatis, toucans, and iguanas. In 2011, Forbes named Manuel Antonio among the top 12 most beautiful parks in the world.
While Manuel Antonio National Park is open to the public, arranging an organized tour ahead of time will truly enhance the experience. In addition to providing access to essential wildlife spotting equipment you might not otherwise have, one of the many benefits of visiting the park on a tour include accompaniment from a dedicated naturalist guide. Naturalist guides are highly educated and have expert knowledge of the trails, plants and animals inside the park. A guide can not only provide you with in depth information about the flora and fauna you see, they can answer your questions, tell interesting stories, and provide valuable insights. In the wild, animals can be difficult to spot if you are not familiar with where to look. A naturalist guide can show visitors how to navigate the park and spot animals hidden in the canopy. In addition, entrance tickets to the park are purchased in advance of your arrival when you take part in a park tour. This invaluable service can shave a considerable amount of time off of gaining entrance to the park.
Yes, you can surf in Manuel Antonio. The beach at Manuel Antonio is called Espadilla Beach. The waves at Espadilla are not always consistent and the beach can be crowded with swimmers, but beginners will generally find the southern end of the beach during high tide most suitable. Advanced surfers will find bigger waves and greater challenges on the northern end of the beach. It is important to note that Espadilla can have strong currents and undertows. Surfers should be aware of their surroundings and always take the necessary precautions.
Manuel Antonio and the surrounding areas are generally considered safe for tourists. Costa Rica is known for its friendly people and its commitment to eco-tourism, and the park is a major tourist attraction that is well-maintained and well-patrolled. The town of Manuel Antonio has an active police presence. We recommend using trusted transportation and accommodations, practice situational awareness and avoid displaying cash or wearing expensive jewelry while traveling. Vacationers will only need to take the usual safety precautions during their time in Manuel Antonio.
The number of days you should spend in Manuel Antonio National Park depends on how much time you have available and what you want to do during your visit. A minimum of two to three days is recommended to fully explore the park and the surrounding areas, but you can also spend more time if you want to relax and soak up the beautiful scenery or take part in more outdoor activities.
Manuel Antonio is a coastal town located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the province of Puntarenas. It is situated just south of the town of Quepos.
