Manuel Antonio National Park is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s National Parks system. The park encompasses 1,684 acres (682 hectares) of jungle and beach, and 135,000 acres (55,000 hectares) of marine environment and islands - plus tons of monkeys and other wildlife.
Manuel Antonio National Park is home and protection to 106 species of mammals, over 180 species of birds, innumerable butterfly, insect, and reptile species, as well as the rich jungle they live in.
A walk through the park rewards visitors with frequent sightings of the White Faced and Howler monkeys, as well as two and three toed sloth, iguanas and hundreds of other exotic birds. Manuel Antonio is also one of the last two remaining habitats in the world of the small and playful Titi Monkey (Squirrel Monkey or Mono Titi). They are a common sight, especially near the entrance of the park.
Within the park are a series of crescent shaped white sand beaches, surrounded by rain forest, which comes almost to the water’s edge at high tide. These beaches are easily accessed by well-groomed trails that wind throughout the park.
The information center is located just inside the park’s entrance. Facilities include: restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and drinking water. The entrance fee is $7 and visitors can roam freely throughout the park or choose one to a naturalist guide to help you spot sloths, lizards and other exotic animals.
A day in Manuel Antonio Park is sure to be a highlight of your trip to Costa Rica. Pack a lunch, and have a picnic in the jungle or on one of the sandy beaches and be sure to take your camera.
Cathedral point is Manual Antonio Park’s most prominent feature. It is a lush jungle point, rising out of the ocean at the South end of Manuel Antonio beach, and connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land.
Park hours
7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Directions
Drive to the main paved road and turn right. Go 7 kilometers till you arrive at Manuel Antonio Beach. Continue on the road till it ends and park. There will usually be a parking attendant guiding you to parking area.
Entrance Fee
$7.00/person