Where to stay in Manuel Antonio — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Manuel Antonio is where Costa Rica's rainforest spills straight onto white-sand beaches along the Pacific. It's home to Manuel Antonio National Park, the country's smallest national park (~683 hectares) yet one of its most wildlife-packed, with 350+ animal species: white-faced capuchins, rare squirrel monkeys, two-toed sloths, iguanas and 184 bird species. Step out of the forest and you're on a calm, swimmable cove beach. Most hotels cling to the steep ~6 km road linking the port town of Quepos to the park gate, many with terraces framing the Pacific bay and some of the best sunsets in the country.
Why stay in Manuel Antonio
Wildlife you'll actually see
Sloths, white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys and iguanas appear right along the park trails. Hire a spotting guide and the kids will be glued to the scope all morning.
Forest to beach in one step
Finish a jungle trail and walk straight onto a calm, clear cove beach. Hike and swim the same morning — mountains and ocean in a single day.
The country's best bay-view rooms
Cliffside hotels line the hill road, many with infinity pools and terraces over the Pacific. The sunsets here genuinely live up to the hype.
Adventure on tap
Catamaran dolphin cruises, canopy ziplines, kayaking the Damas mangroves and the 60-metre Nauyaca Waterfalls — pick your pace.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Manuel Antonio
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Manuel Antonio (hill village)The hub of hotels, restaurants and bay-view bars, closest to the park gate but along a steep hill road
Coming soonPlaya EspadillaRight on the main beach by the park entrance; flat and walkable, great for beach lovers but busy
Coming soonQuepos PointA quiet side road at the top of the hill, lots of wildlife and high-end boutique hotels
Coming soonQuepos townThe real port town ~15 min from the park; cheapest rooms, local vibe, near Marina Pez Vela
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Manuel Antonio
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Manuel Antonio stay reviews — meanwhile search Manuel Antonio hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Manuel Antonio
- 1🍛
Casado
The classic combo plate: white rice, black beans, salad, fried plantain and your choice of meat, fish or chicken. The most filling, best-value lunch in Costa Rica.
📍 National lunch plate - 2🍳
Gallo Pinto
Rice and beans fried with onion, sweet pepper, garlic and cilantro, served with eggs, plantain and natilla (sour cream). The everyday Costa Rican breakfast.
📍 National breakfast - 3🐟
Ceviche
Fresh fish (often tilapia or local catch) cured in lime with onion and cilantro, served cold. A tangy, refreshing snack for a hot beach day.
📍 Fresh seafood - 4✈️
El Avión
A landmark on the park road built around an old cargo plane. Tuck into casado and house ceviche with a bay view as the sun goes down.
📍 Restaurant in a plane - 5🦐
Pacific seafood
With Quepos's port nearby, the catch is super fresh — try grilled mahi-mahi, garlic shrimp or a whole crispy-fried fish, local style.
📍 Fish & shrimp - 6🥭
Tropical fruit & batidos
Mango, pineapple and papaya blended into batidos (fruit smoothies with water or milk). The perfect cooldown, found at any local soda.
📍 Drinks
- 1🌳
Manuel Antonio National Park
Costa Rica's smallest but most wildlife-dense park. Trails reveal sloths, capuchins and iguanas before opening onto calm cove beaches. Open 7am–4pm; tickets only via the official SINAC website.
📍 Main highlight - 2🏖️
Playa Espadilla
A mile-plus curve of smooth grey sand right by the park gate. The spot for swimming, beginner surf and the best sunsets in the area.
📍 Main beach - 3🦋
Playa Biesanz
A tucked-away cove on the Quepos Point side with calm water, good snorkeling and far smaller crowds than the main beach — easy with kids.
📍 Hidden cove - 4💧
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Twin falls dropping a combined ~60 metres into a deep swimming pool. Reach them on foot, by 4x4 or on horseback, about an hour from town.
📍 Two-tier falls - 5🛶
Damas Island Mangroves
Glide through mangrove channels by boat or kayak with a bilingual guide spotting wildlife. The ~3.5-hour trip usually includes meals and transport.
📍 Boat & kayak tour - 6🌉
Rainmaker Park
A large rainforest reserve crossed by suspension bridges through the treetops, ending in a swim at a natural waterfall pool. Lunch and transport often included.
📍 Canopy bridges - 7🛥️
Catamaran cruise
Sail the Pacific coast watching for dolphins (and humpback whales in season), with a snorkel stop, food and drinks on board.
📍 Ocean & dolphins - 8⛵
Marina Pez Vela
Quepos's marina, packed with restaurants, shops, boat rentals and sportfishing charters — the launch point for many ocean tours.
📍 Marina & dining
Things to do in Manuel Antonio
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Manuel Antonio — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Manuel Antonio hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.4LuxuryMakanda by the Sea Hotel - Adults Only
5-star adults-only ocean views
★ 9.3Upper-mid
★ 9.0Upper-midArenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
Beachfront rainforest resort
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในManuel Antonio
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Manuel Antonio dates
🚆 Getting around Manuel Antonio
Fly from San José
Sansa and Costa Rica Green Airways run ~30-minute flights from SJO to Quepos La Managua (XQP) — far quicker than driving.
Shuttle van from SJO
Shared shuttles start around $55–65 per person; private vans run $200+. The trip takes roughly 3.5–4 hours, hotel to hotel.
Hill buses
Frequent local buses run up and down the hill road between Quepos town and the park gate. Fares are cheap — ideal for budget travelers.
Taxis & ride apps
Red taxis (with meters) and ride-hailing apps operate in town. Short hops around the area are inexpensive; agree on a fare first if no meter.
Money & paying
The currency is the colón (₡, ~447 per USD), but US dollars are widely accepted. Carry small bills ($1–$20); cards work at hotels and larger restaurants.
Where to go next near Manuel Antonio
Frequently asked — where to stay in Manuel Antonio
How do I buy tickets for Manuel Antonio National Park?+
Tickets must be bought in advance through the official Costa Rican government SINAC website — there's no gate sales. Adult tickets are about $18, kids 2–12 about $5.65. The park is open 7am–4pm and closes one day a week, so check before you go.
Which area should I stay in?+
For proximity to the park and restaurants, pick the hilltop Manuel Antonio village; for the beach, stay at Playa Espadilla; for quiet luxury, head to Quepos Point; on a budget, base yourself in Quepos town (~15 minutes from the park).
When is the best time to visit?+
The dry season, December to April, brings clear skies ideal for hiking and beaches — January to March is nearly rain-free but also the busiest and priciest. To dodge crowds, try May or November, when the rain is still light.
Ready to book your Manuel Antonio stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking