Manuel Antonio

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The beautiful beach town of Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular beach towns. This is the place where ever takes vacations and in the main town, you’ll find very little cheap options. The pristine beaches, soaring temperatures and the famous Manuel Antonio National Park all draw in hundreds of thousands of tourists per year, but add to that the fabulous diving, nightlife and sports fishing then it’s clear to see why tourists flock to the area. Accommodation and activities are quite expensive in the area but there are a couple of hostels offering reasonably priced dorm rooms.

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Costs in Manuel Antonio

Hostel Prices: Accommodation is expensive in Manuel Antonio but hostels are competitive at 6200 Colones per night in a dorm.
Budget Hotel Prices: Expect to pay around 25,750 Colones per night even for a budget hotel, though the service is typically very high.
Average Cost of Food: There are plenty of good restaurants in the area, but staying within budget you can pick up meals for 4120 Colones on average.
Cost of Internet: Most hotels and hostels have internet included in their accommodation but if not, 500 Colones is the going rate at an internet café.
Transportation Costs: Taxis from Manuel Antonio to Quepos will cost around 2575 Colones with the bus coming in at 125 Colones. The bus from San José takes 3.5hours and also costs 2575 Colones.

Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs and is the second smallest nature reserve in Costa Rica. Increased tourist traffic has driven some wildlife away from the area but you can still get up close to capuchins, basilisks, iguanas and if you’re lucky, the Central American Squirrel Monkey. Sunbathe and snorkel at the Park’s many beaches and you may just spot a bottle nosed dolphin off the coast.
Fishing. A sport fishing trip is one of the highlights for many people’s Costa Rica vacation and given the astounding wealth of the country’s marine life, it’s not hard to see why. These trips are expensive costing around 180,500 Colones per day. That being said, you’ll have the chance to fish for barracuda, marlin, tuna and snapper amongst many others.
Surfing. Manuel Antonio isn’t as well known for its surfing when compared to Jaco Beach or Hermosa but the breaks here are ideal for beginners and for moderate surfing. More experienced surfers can find better waves by travelling just a short distance outside of Manuel Antonio and Quepos.
Diving. Local diving companies frequent over 20 dive sites around the coast of Manuel Antonio. You’ll dive amongst volcanic formations, a beautiful reef and all kinds of tropical fish. Night dives are available and are a great way to see the Pacific come alive. Expect to pay from 56,700 Colones for 2 tanks.
Damas Island. A 30 minute boat ride from Quepos will take you to the jungle island of Damas. The surf is great here but the main attraction is the mangrove swamps which are home to crocodiles. You’ll have to be brave to kayak through the waterways but there are plenty of boat tours available too. Other wildlife on the island are boas, caymans, various species of birds and on rare occasions, the silky anteater.
White water rafting. The class III and IV rapids of the Savegre River make for an adrenaline packed day. You’ll pass through the jungle and see toucans, osprey, parrots and kingfishers as you make your way down the river. Experienced rafters should go on the Naranjo River trip as the rapids are a lot faster, making this more challenging. You’ll pay 49,000 Colones for the Savegre and 33,500 Colones for the Naranjo.
Horseback riding. There are several horseback riding tours that take you across the beautiful landscapes of Manuel Antonio and Quepos. You’ll have the chance to take in waterfalls, beaches, jungles and hills on the trip. There are a few excursions throughout the day but the evening trip is the best.
Gamble. There are two casinos in Manuel Antonio, the Kamuk and the Byblos. The games are slightly different from what you may be used to but are still good fun. Typical games here are rummy, roulette and tute (also known as Caribbean poker) with the Kamuk offering slot machines too.
Whale watching. This tour will bring you to some of the most beautiful spots along the Pacific Coast where in November to March and July to September you’ll have the chance to see Humpback and Pilot whales, one of the best experiences that nature has to offer. If conditions permit, you’ll also be able to stop for a swim in the ocean with dolphins nearby.
Sunset sailing. One of the most popular excursions from the area is a sunset sailing trip. The sky is amazing and you might get to hear humpback whales and see dolphins along the side of the boat. Travelling on a catamaran is a great way to see the coast of Manuel Antonio and get a different view of the National Park.
Gay bars. Manuel Antonio is emerging as a popular destination for gay travellers with its nude gay beach, liberal attitudes and lively gay bars and restaurants. If this is your scene then head to Tutu’s Gay Bar and Gato Negro Restaurant. La Playita beach is the centre of gay life in Manuel Antonio during the day where nude sunbathing and swimming is the norm.