Located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in Puntarenas, Manuel Antonio National Park lies just south of the city of Quepos and 157 km (98 mi) from San José. Accessible via Route 618 from Quepos, this destination is the most popular national park in the country. Established in 1972 after locals fought to conserve the natural environment and maintain public beach access, it encompasses 1,983 hectares of land and 25,634 hectares of ocean.
The park features four main white-sand beaches within its boundaries: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Tesoro, and Playita. A natural sand tombolo separates Manuel Antonio beach from Espadilla Sur beach, and both feature tidal pools. Ocean experiences here include swimming, sea kayaking, and snorkeling, while offshore scuba diving offers further aquatic exploration. Visitors should take precautions in the water, as rip currents do occur.
Framed by impressive mountains, lush foliage, tropical forests, and dramatic rocky islands, Manuel Antonio offers a rich natural setting. Despite its compact land area, the park is home to 109 mammal species and 184 bird species. The modern infrastructure includes an accessible visitor center, rest areas, scenic overlooks, and trails adapted for wheelchair users to ensure comfortable exploring.
Manuel Antonio National Park suits a wide range of visitors, including nature enthusiasts, hikers, couples, families, and snorkellers. Guests can enjoy coastal walks like the roughly hour-long hike to the top of Punta Catedral, spot wildlife across diverse habitats, or explore the coastline by kayak and mountain bike.
01 Highlights & things to do
What makes this stretch of coast worth the trip — from the water to the walks, wildlife and the views.
Compiled from Wikipedia · conditions vary with weather, tides and the season.
Beach map & the area
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the beach and its surroundings — the coastline, access roads, nearby towns and where to park. Zoom in for detail, or open it live in a full map.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free).
02 Getting there
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road | Main access route is via Route 618 from the city of Quepos. |
| Proximity | Located 157 km (98 mi) from the national capital of San José. |
Getting there · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · always double-check access & ferries
03 Nearby & around
Other beaches, coves, towns and sights within easy reach — worth stringing together into a coastal day.
Good to know
- The park is open every day except Tuesdays, including major holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday.
- Admission tickets must be purchased online in advance strictly through SINAC, accompanied by valid ID.
- A lifeguard program is in place, but visitors must exercise caution due to rip currents.
- Trails are equipped with rest areas, scenic overlooks, and universal accessibility features for wheelchairs.