Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio

Spend 3–4 days in Manuel Antonio for beach, park and wildlife; base near the park entrance and use buses or taxis for local moves.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Manuel Antonio offers a compact mix of rainforest park, beaches and a lively road of restaurants and hotels. Most visitors fit the highlights in 3–4 days, staying near the park entrance for easy access.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CRC
Best months
Dec–Apr
avoid Jul–Oct (rainy season, check)
Airport
XQP
Nights
3–4

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Manuel Antonio: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
  • Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
  • Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
  • Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
  • Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
  • Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
  • Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
  • Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Manuel Antonio911 ▾
  • Police / General emergencies911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Manuel Antonio, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Manuel Antonio National ParkPlaya Espadilla beachAbundant wildlife
Airports
XQP Quepos Airport (5 min from town, flights from San José (≈US$50–100).)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Feb (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Manuel Antonio: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

8 rd

Feb

31°C (88°F)

22°C (72°F)

7 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

22°C (72°F)

7 rd

Apr

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

6 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

6 rd

Jun

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

9 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

12 rd

Aug

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

13 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

12 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

23°C (73°F)

9 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

7 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Buses run the mountain road every 30 min, cost ₡315 (~$0.55). Taxis from Quepos cost about US$8 to Manuel Antonio. Rentals and scooters are available for the adventurous.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Queposgo

Door to door: ≈20 min

Bus from Manuel Antonio to Quepos, 15 min; or taxi 5 min.

Port town with market, marina and boat tours.

Jacogo

Door to door: ≈2 h

Bus via Route 34, about 1 h 30 min; or shuttle $30.

Surf beach and nightlife, good for a day.

Dominicalcaution

Door to door: ≈2 h 30 min

Bus 2 h 15 min; shuttle $45.

Surf spot, less infrastructure; plan for lunch.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

overnight

Door to door: ≈5 h

Shuttle to San José (2 h) then bus 3 h; total ≈5 h.

Long travel; better to stay a night.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Hostel Manuel Antonio

$14/night for a dorm bed; shared kitchen, monkeys sometimes visit.

Mono Azul

$113/night standard room; close to park entrance.

Arenas del Mar Hotel

$550/night; ocean views, spa, private reserve.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₡8,000–12,000 excl. bed
Mid
₡12,000–20,000 excl. bed
High
₡20,000+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency

Prices of common things

Coffee at a café₡1,200–1,800
Meal (local dish)₡3,000–5,500
Taxi Quepos → Manuel AntonioUS$8
Park entry (guided tour)US$25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Manuel Antonio is generally safe; keep valuables hidden, avoid unattended items on the beach after dark, and use licensed transport.
  • Leave nothing unattended on the beach, especially after dark – opportunistic thefts reported.
  • Sunset boat tours often run engines and offer poor snorkeling; consider skipping.
  • Zip‑lining can be intense; avoid if you have a fear of heights.

Emergency numbers

Police / General emergencies
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Manuel AntonioManuel Antonio

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police / General emergencies911

Embassy

US embassy in San José; consulate in Liberia (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus mountain road: ₡315 (~$0.55) per ride, every 30 min.
  • Taxi Quepos → Manuel Antonio: US$8 (check)

Say or show

  • Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑KUL‑pe)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is this? (KWAN‑to KWEHS‑ta)
  • ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DON‑de es‑TA la PLA‑ya)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Manuel Antonio. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid Jul–Oct (rainy season, check) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Costa Rica

Sources

Ask about Manuel Antonio

Loading…

Was this useful?