I’ve been to Manuel Antonio a few times, and it never gets old. This small stretch of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast somehow fits nice beaches, jungle covered hills, and one of the country’s most popular national parks into just a few miles. Whether you’re into boat/fishing tours at Quepos Marina, sunset views at Parque Nahomi, or spotting monkeys in the national park, it’s all right here.

The drive from San Jose airport takes about 3 hours. You’ll head west through the mountains, pass through Jaco, and continue south along the coast until you hit Quepos. From there, it’s just another 15 minutes up the winding road to the Manuel Antonio area. A rental car will be the best option to have, but many hotels offer shuttle services if you don’t want to drive.

What I love most about this area is how different each beach feels. Biesanz Beach is hidden and calm – perfect for swimming. Espadilla is bigger with more action and parasailing. Then there’s the national park beaches that feel totally untouched. You can literally go from having coffee at a marina cafe to watching sloths in the wild in under 30 minutes. Trust me, even if you only have a couple days, you can see a ton here without feeling rushed.

Getting to Manuel Antonio

Most international travelers land at San Jose’s Juan Santamaría Airport. From there, you’re looking at about a 3-hour drive to Quepos. The route takes you west on Highway 27, a toll road with good pavement. After about an hour, you’ll reach Orotina where the highway splits – take Highway 34 south toward Jaco.

The drive along the coast is pretty straightforward. You’ll pass through Jaco (a good halfway point to stop for food), then continue south through Parrita. Road signs for Quepos are clear, and Google Maps works well in this area. The final stretch brings you right into downtown Quepos, where you’ll find gas stations if you need to fill up.

Driving from San Jose to Quepos is straightforward. Head to the Pacific Coast and then south along the well paved roads.

From San Jose Airport to Quepos

If driving isn’t your thing, direct shuttle services run from the airport to Quepos/Manuel Antonio for about $60 per person. These shuttles are comfortable, though they might make stops to pick up other people along the way. The drivers usually know the area well and can point out interesting sights during the journey.

There’s also a public bus from San Jose’s Tracopa Terminal that takes around 3.5 hours and costs under $10, though you’ll need to get from the airport to the bus terminal first. The buses are surprisingly comfortable with air conditioning, and they run several times daily. Just be prepared for limited bathroom breaks during the trip.

For the quickest option, look into a direct flight from San Jose to the Quepos Airport which is just outside of town. The most popular airline for this route is Sansa. You can visit their website to check for ticket prices and schedule.

Getting Around the Area

Once you’re in the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, getting around is easy. From downtown Quepos to the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park is only about 10 kilometers, but there’s a lot packed into that stretch.

The public bus between Quepos and Manuel Antonio runs every 30 minutes (every 15 minutes in high season) and costs about $1. It’s a great option if you don’t want to deal with parking, which can be difficult near the national park entrance. I’ve taken this bus multiple times and it’s usually filled with a mix of locals and tourists.

If you have a rental car, the main road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio is well-paved but winding. Parking at beaches and the marina is usually available for a small fee (around $4-6 for the day), often with unofficial parking attendants watching your car. Just make sure not to leave valuables visible inside your vehicle, as you would anywhere.

Quepos Marina “Pela Vez”

The Quepos Marina, officially called Marina Pez Vela, is right at the edge of town and makes for a perfect stop in the area. It’s more than just a place for boats – it’s a modern complex with shopping, restaurants, and activities. The marina also has a hospital within it should you find the need.

What surprised me most about this marina is how clean and well-designed it is. The walkways give you great views of the boats, from small fishing vessels to massive luxury yachts. If you’re lucky, you might catch a fishing tournament happening – they host several major competitions throughout the year.

Shops and Restaurants

The marina has a nice collection of shops selling everything from beach gear to high-end clothing. There’s a coffee shop with gelato that makes for a perfect cool-down spot after walking around in the heat. You’ll also find a beauty salon and several souvenir shops if you’re looking to take something home.

Food options range from casual cafes to multi-story restaurants with ocean views. The restaurants are built on different levels, so even from the second or third floor, you can enjoy panoramic views of the water while eating. Prices are higher than in downtown Quepos, but the setting makes it worthwhile for at least one meal during your stay.

For cigar enthusiasts, there’s a shop selling Costa Rican cigars made with tobacco from Nicaragua and Cuba. The cigars start around $7, with premium options available if you’re looking to splurge. The main cigar shop is actually just up the road from the marina if you want a wider selection.

Boats and Activities

The star attractions at Marina Pez Vela are the boats themselves. Walking along the docks, you’ll likely see some enormous luxury yachts. If you’re into fishing, this is the place to book a charter – Costa Rica is famous for its sportfishing, and the waters off Quepos are particularly good for sailfish and marlin.

Even if you’re not fishing, you can book boat tours directly from the marina. Options include sunset cruises, whale watching (seasonal), and trips to nearby islands or snorkeling spots. Prices vary widely depending on the type of boat and duration, but expect to pay at least $50-100 per person for most excursions.

If you’re just visiting, the marina itself is free to walk around and makes for a pleasant hour or two of exploring. The best time to visit is late afternoon when you can watch the fishing boats return with their catch, then stay for dinner as the sun sets over the water.

Sunset at the marina in Quepos. This is where you’ll catch your fishing charter or rent a yacht to enjoy the ocean.

Parque Nahomi

Parque Nahomi is just a short drive or walk from Marina Pez Vela, it’s an easy next stop on your tour through the area. This small park sits on a point overlooking the bay and is known for having some of the best sunset views around Quepos. It’s free to enter and has plenty of palm trees providing shade throughout the day.

The park is split into two distinct areas – the main park area with grassy spaces and palm trees, and a swimming area down below. Even if you just have 30 minutes to spare, it’s worth stopping by, especially in the late afternoon when the lighting is perfect for photos of the coastline.

Parque Nahomi is a large park just outside of Quepos. It’s a wide open area with fences around, allowing for great views.

Swimming Area and Water Activities

Below the main park area is a small but pleasant swimming spot. Unlike the bigger beaches in the area, this spot features calm, protected waters that are perfect for families with small children. The water here is typically much calmer than at the more exposed beaches.

From the swimming area, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. It’s an ideal launching point since the bay is protected from large waves. I’ve seen paddle board tours departing from here, with groups heading out to explore the coastline from the water. Prices typically run around $20-30 for a one-hour rental or $40-50 for guided tours.

If you’re not swimming, you can still walk down to this area for different views of the bay and to watch boats coming and going. There’s something peaceful about this little cove that feels separate from the busier parts of Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

The sheltered cove behind Parque Nahomi is great for swimming, snorkeling and paddleboarding. The waves are much gentler as they break on the other side of the park.

Sunset Views

The main draw of Parque Nahomi is undoubtedly the sunset views. The park sits on an elevated position with clear sightlines across the bay. As the sun goes down, you’ll see it sink behind the peninsula across the water, creating stunning silhouettes of the surrounding hills and boats in the harbor.

There are plenty of space for sunset viewing, and you can simply bring blankets and have picnics on the grass. I’ve visited multiple times, and even during busy periods, the park never feels too crowded. If you’re into photography, arrive about an hour before sunset to claim a good spot and watch how the lighting changes.

The Hills of Manuel Antonio

The road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio twists through steep, jungle-covered hills. This 10 kilometer stretch packs in most of the area’s hotels and restaurants, with signs for everything from $30 hostels to $500-a-night luxury spots along both sides of the road. I’ve stayed up in these hills a few times, and while the roads are steep, the payoff is those Pacific Ocean views.

If you stay in these hills you’ll be right in the midst of wildlife. You’ll hear howler monkeys before you see them – their deep, rumbling calls echo through the hills especially in early morning. White-faced monkeys are bolder, and during one stay they actually came right up to my balcony. There’s something surreal about watching these monkeys swing through trees just feet away from your accommodations.

Resorts and Accommodations

Most hotels here are built into the hillsides, using terraced designs that step down the slopes. Tulemar Resort is one of the most well known, with its private beach access and bungalows  throughout 33 acres of jungle. Los Altos Resort has spacious apartment style accommodations with full kitchens and massive balconies facing the ocean. Makanda by the Sea is adults only with more private, intimate villas and one of the most Instagram worthy infinity pools in the area.

What I like about staying in the hills rather than down in Quepos is the temperature difference. You catch better breezes up here, and many rooms face west for those sunset ocean views. Most places include breakfast, which typically means fresh fruit, eggs, and gallo pinto (rice and beans). After a day at the beach, it’s nice to come back to a hotel pool for a cold drink and watch the sun go down.

Biesanz Beach is between Manuel Antonio Park and Quepos. It’s a hidden spot with a short hike to get to, but totally worth the visit.

Biesanz Beach (Playa Biesanz)

Biesanz Beach is my favorite spot in the area. Unlike the bigger beaches, this small cove stays calm even when the surf is up elsewhere. The water is clear enough to see fish swimming around your feet. Even on a Sunday when I visited it wasn’t overly crowded.

Finding it is tricky. Look for a gap in the fence near Hotel Parador, about halfway between Quepos and Manuel Antonio park. There’s usually a guy watching cars by the road – they have signs asking for $4 to watch your car. The path down takes about 5 minutes and though it’s not particularly steep, it is uneven with exposed roots and rocks. You might want to wear decent shoes instead of flip-flops.

The beach itself is perfect for swimming – no big waves, no strong currents. A few locals rent chairs and umbrellas for around $5, and sometimes there’s a guy selling fresh coconuts and ceviche. While relaxing on the beach, I saw scarlet macaws flying overhead. You’ll hear them sqauwking, keep and eye out for  their bright red feathers standing out against the blue sky. Their squawking calls are unmistakable once you’ve heard them. Morning is best if you want it quiet. By afternoon, more people find their way down. Bring cash, water, and snacks since there aren’t proper stores nearby.

Espadilla Beach

As you approach Manuel Antonio National Park, you’ll come to Espadilla Beach (Playa Espadilla), the main public beach in the area. This wide, very nice stretch of sand runs for about 1.6 kilometers and is divided into Espadilla Norte (North) and Espadilla Sur (South). The national park entrance near the southern end. The waves here are bigger than at Biesanz – good enough for surfing but still okay for swimming if you’re careful.

When I visited, even though it was high season, the beach is long enough that it didn’t feel packed. The northern part has more going on – restaurants, rentals, vendors walking by. As you walk south toward the park, things quiet down a bit. The whole beach has this amazing backdrop of green hills that makes you remember you’re in Costa Rica, not just any beach.

Playa Espadilla on a Sunday. Even though it’s busy you can see there’s still a lot of space on the beach to relax and rent a chair/umbrella.

Parasailing and Water Sports

If you’re into water activities, this is the place. From the beach, you can watch parasailers going up and down. They hook you to a parachute, then a boat pulls you along the coast. It costs around $60-75 for a 15-minute ride.

You can also rent surfboards here. It’s about $10-15 per hour or $25-30 for the whole day. The waves aren’t huge, so it’s actually pretty good for learning.  Jet ski rentals are available too, though they’re pricier and sometimes get restricted depending on conditions or season. Most water sport vendors cluster at the north end of the beach, and you can just walk up and book on the spot. No need to reserve ahead unless it’s Christmas or Easter week when things get really busy.

Food and Amenities

One thing I like about Espadilla compared to the smaller beaches is having actual restaurants right there. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas (usually around $10 for the day), and people walk by selling coconuts, cold drinks, and snacks. 

There are bathrooms along the beach, though you’ll pay about 500 colones (roughly $1) to use them. Most places have outdoor showers to rinse off the salt and sand. If you forgot sunscreen or need a beach toy, there are small shops at the north end, but you’ll pay about twice what you would in Quepos. I learned that lesson with a $20 bottle of sunscreen on my first visit. I recommend bringing your own sunscreen to save money, like this sunstick available on Amazon.

Good boy! This lizard was sunbathing at the beach, and understood the modeling assignment!

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio might be Costa Rica’s smallest national park, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in wildlife. I’ve been here twice now, and I’m still amazed at how many animals you can spot in just a few hours. The park is at the end of the road, just past Espadilla Beach, and has a $18 entrance fee for foreigners. It’s closed Mondays, so plan around that.

My tip? Get there by 7:30 AM when they open. The park limits daily visitors, and in high season, tickets sell out by mid-morning. Buy them at the official booth across from the entrance, not from the guys approaching you on the street claiming to work for the park.

Entrance Information

The ticket system can be confusing. You need to buy at the official booth or online through SINAC, then take your receipt to the actual entrance gate. If someone offers to “help” you buy tickets, they’re probably trying to upsell you a tour.

The tours run about $50-60 per person. Pricey, but the guides have these amazing spotting scopes and find wildlife you might otherwise miss. On my first visit I walked the park on my own without a guide. I saw many groups watching far away wildlife with the guides scopes – worth the expense.

The main trail is an easy 1.3 km walk to the first beach. Most of it’s flat and even wheelchair accessible. Bring water in a reusable bottle (no disposable plastics allowed), some snacks, and bug spray.

Wildlife to Spot

The wildlife here is incredible. You can see three types of monkeys, two sloths, raccoons, coatis, iguanas, and dozens of birds – all in about two hours. The capuchin monkeys are little thieves, so watch your stuff. They know how to unzip backs and will take your belongings up into the trees.

Sloths are harder to find without a guide. They look like fuzzy balls high in the trees, barely moving. A good strategy is to look for groups of people staring up at something – that usually means there’s a sloth or monkey spotted.

The howler monkeys sound scary, but they’re actually chill. Their calls carry for miles, especially in the morning. If you hear what sounds like a monster in the jungle, it’s probably just a howler monkey announcing its territory.

The beach inside Manuel Antonio Park is very nice. It’s a hike to get to but much less busy than Playa Espadilla nearby.

Beaches Inside the Park

The beaches inside the park are worth the entrance fee alone. Manuel Antonio Beach is this perfect white crescent with forest on both sides. The water’s usually calm and great for swimming.

Unlike the public beaches, there are no vendors, restaurants, or rental chairs here – just pure beach. There are basic bathrooms and changing rooms, but that’s it. Bring what you need and take everything back out with you.

The park closes at 4 PM, and rangers start clearing the beaches around 3:30. I found mid-morning (after seeing wildlife) to early afternoon was perfect for beach time. Just enough time to swim, dry off, and make the walk back to the entrance.

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