Manuel Antonio National Park may be the smallest national park in all of Costa Rica, however, it is number 1 when it comes to visitors. Costa Rica can be an expensive place for travelers on a budget, and you may be asking yourself whether or not you need a guide. Sure, a guide will know the park well and may have a camera with a zoom lens to help you spot some birds and other species camouflaged in the canopy. But the Bros visited Manuel Antonio without a guide and were able to spot a great range of wildlife on our own. Read on for how to visit Manuel Antonio without a guide.
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What is Manuel Antonio?
Manuel Antonio is a national park filled with incredible white sand beaches and wildlife in the setting of a tropical forest amongst the mountains. The park may be the best place in Costa Rica to observe the wildlife diversity of the country in a natural setting. The park is home to over 100 species of mammals and over 180 species of birds. And you don’t necessarily need to pay extra for a guide to spot a wide range of animals, just a keen observing eye, patience, and awareness.
How to Get to Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is most easily accessed via Quepos or Jaco. The bus from Jaco to Quepos takes about 1.5 hours. You can catch the green TQP bus from the bus stop outside the Best Western or in the center of town outside the Mas x Menos supermarket. Click here for the most up-to-date timetables (keep in mind, that the bus leaves from Puntarenas, about an hour+ away from Jaco, not including stops). No ticket is needed, cash payment goes directly to the driver who should have plenty of change for you.
After you arrive in Quepos, there is one more leg to your journey. A short 20-minute bus trip to the town of Manuel Antonio. This shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes or so and will drop you off just a short walk away from the park’s entrance.
Costs of Manuel Antonio
Entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park will set you back about $18 USD for those aged 12 and over. You can book tickets online on the park’s website. Be aware that the park is open from 7 am-4 pm and is closed on Tuesdays. Also, you are NOT allowed to bring food into the park at all. The security at the entrance will check your bags. Guided tours are priced at $65 USD for adults, but we opted to visit Manuel Antonio without a guide and were completely satisfied with the decision.
The bus from Jaco to Quepos costs 1,700 colones each way ($2.75 USD each way).
The bus from Quepos to Manuel Antonio costs 390 colones each way ($0.65 each way).
Wildlife You May Encounter at Manuel Antonio
Let’s start with what the Bros encountered on our visit to Manuel Antonio without a guide:
- Central American Agouti
- Panamanian White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys
- Mantled Howler Monkeys
- Central American Squirrel Monkey
- Two-toed & Three-toed Sloths
- Mouthless & Red Land Crabs
- Butterflies
- Humpback whales breaching the water
- Hummingbird
- Poison Dart Frog
The park is also notable for its many different species of birds, including the toucan, but we weren’t lucky enough to spot one.
Beaches and Viewpoints at Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is home to some world-renowned beaches, and you don’t need a guide to access them. Playa Espadilla Sur, Playa Manuel Antonio & Playa Gemelas are all accessible via the main hiking trails of the park. Keep your eyes peeled for some of the wildlife, including reptiles and monkeys. Also, be aware that the beaches close at 3 pm.
A visit to Manuel Antonio National Park would not be complete without hiking to some of the viewpoints. When you arrive at the main entrance to the park, there will be maps and signs that will guide you toward all of the scenic spots.
What Should You Bring to Manuel Antonio?
If you are visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, whether you hire a guide or not, there are a few essentials that you should bring:
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Water (it can be very humid in the park)
- Comfortable clothing & footwear
- Swimwear for the beach (they have changing rooms and showers)
- Cash for buses
- Camera/Fully charged phone for photos
Some additional info: The trail is wheelchair accessible. Dry season runs from December through April, but don’t be scared off by the rainy season. It usually rains later in the afternoon into the evening, so you still have plenty of time to enjoy the park during the day. Food is not permitted, in order to minimize the impact on the environment. They do have a cafe on-site where you can grab a bite to eat.
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