Things to Do in Manuel Antonio: Itineraries, Costs and Food

Costa Rica's smallest but most visited park, run on a hard reservation system. The exact daily cap number isn't published on the official page; the practical takeaway is the same, book online well ahead rather than showing up hoping for a walk-in spot.

Free public beach right by the park entrance, no reservation needed. Livelier and less protected than the beaches inside the park.

Boat tours through the Damas Island mangrove estuary for birds, crabs, and the occasional caiman. Run by private operators, no single official park-style booking site to verify against.

Private reserve inland toward the mountains with hanging bridges over a river canyon and cooler, wetter forest than the coast. Could not verify hours or price against an official page; confirm before you go.

Small cove beach reached by a short unmarked trail off the main road, calmer water than Espadilla, popular for snorkeling at high tide.

Quepos is a recognized sportfishing hub for sailfish and marlin. Prices vary widely by boat and operator, confirm directly before booking.

Guided naturalist walks with spotting scopes through one of Costa Rica's smallest but most biodiverse parks, aimed at finding camouflaged sloths and monkeys. A guide raises your chance of actually spotting wildlife from around 40% to 85-90%. Skip the guide and you're mostly walking a pretty trail without seeing much.

Guided tours of a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary housing sloths, monkeys, and parrots, supporting ongoing conservation work. This is a legitimate rescue operation, not a photo-op sloth encounter, which is the distinction that matters. Avoid any operator offering you a sloth to hold for a picture, that's a different and welfare-questionable business.

Boat tours through the mangrove estuary at Damas Island, spotting monkeys, birds, and reptiles in the roots and canopy. Quieter and less crowded than the national park itself. Good option if the park trails feel too busy.

Half-day sailing trips along the coast near Quepos, usually including lunch, snorkeling, and a sunset return. Reliable and scenic, priced like most Costa Rica boat tours. Fine as a relaxed day after a more active one.

Zipline circuits through rainforest canopy near Quepos, often marketed as another way to spot wildlife from above. Fun for the zipline itself, don't expect to actually see much wildlife while moving fast through the canopy. Treat it as an adventure activity, not a nature tour.

Off-road ATV tours to jungle waterfalls with swimming stops in natural pools. Standard adventure-tour combo, well-executed by most local operators. Good if you want to combine off-roading with a swim.

A whole fish grilled over charcoal, served with rice, beans and salad. The signature dinner here, best eaten watching the sunset even though you'll pay for that view.

Local fish cured in lime with onion, cilantro and chile, usually made that morning at the smaller waterfront spots. Cheaper and often fresher in Quepos than on the beach.

The standard rice, beans, plantain and protein plate, noticeably cheaper in Quepos than at the beachfront restaurants a short drive up toward the park entrance.

Twice-fried green plantain rounds, crisp outside and starchy inside, served as an appetizer or side. A reliable, simple snack while you wait on a main.

Rice pudding with cinnamon, a simple, homestyle dessert that shows up on most soda menus. Not fancy, but a good finish after a plate of grilled fish.

Grown in the hills above the coast, brewed strong and usually served with condensed milk if you ask for it 'con leche'. A good way to start the day before the park.

A restaurant and bar built inside a decommissioned cargo plane on a hillside above Manuel Antonio, with ocean views and a mixed Costa Rican-international menu. The novelty of eating in a plane has kept this one relevant for years rather than a single viral moment. Reviews note the setting outshines the food, some inconsistency reported. Go for the view and the story, keep expectations modest on the plates.

A hillside breakfast and coffee spot overlooking Manuel Antonio beach, run by an owner known for sourcing his own coffee. Consistently well reviewed through 2026, ranked in the top 20 of nearly 100 restaurants in town. A genuinely good, reliable breakfast stop rather than a hype spot.