How to Spend 3 Days in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: The Perfect Itinerary

Manuel Antonio is the first destination we visited after moving to Costa Rica in 2018. Since then we have returned there often, on some occasions, with our families or friends visiting Costa Rica, while on others, it was just the two of us revisiting.

Based on what we have seen on all our trips, one thing is for sure – everyone loves Manuel Antonio! Including us.

Located by the stunning Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, this amazing destination offers an eclectic blend of lush rainforests, diverse wildlife, and stunning beaches.

But, where to start and how to explore this destination, you may wonder.

So, to help you plan, we have created an itinerary for how you can plan to spend 3 days in Manuel Antonio.

In this detailed Manuel Antonio itinerary, we are going to share with you the best things to do, where to stay, and other planning logistics like how to get to and when to visit.

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How Many Days Do You Need for Manuel Antonio?

While Manuel Antonio is relatively small, it packs an impressive range of activities into its boundaries.

A 3-day itinerary provides ample time to enjoy the highlights of Manuel Antonio without feeling rushed.

Over the course of these 3 days in Manuel Antonio, you can get a range of experiences – from watching capuchin monkeys frolic and sloths chilling up in the trees, to going on some local nature adventures, to lounging with your loved ones on pristine beaches.

3 Days in Manuel Antonio Itinerary

Day 1: Manuel Antonio National Park + Espadilla Beach

On Day 1 of your Manuel Antonio itinerary, visit the Manuel Antonio National Park, followed by a visit to a local public beach, Playa Espadilla.

Morning: Visit Manuel Antonio National Park

Kick off your 3-day Manuel Antonio itinerary with a visit to the crown jewel of the area, Manuel Antonio National Park.

The nicely maintained trails of the park take you through diverse ecosystems like wetlands and mangroves, marine environments with sandy beaches, and of course, tropical rainforest including primary forest.

As you walk along the trails, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sighting encounters along the way.

➡️ For details of the planning logistics, check out our complete guide on visiting Manuel Antonio National Park.

Wildlife

On all our visits to Manuel Antonio National Park, we have had incredible sightings.

From three-toed sloths to squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys, from beautiful birds like motmots and trogons to red land crabs, snakes and frogs, and even a discreet deer, we have had the opportunity to meet a wide variety of wildlife in what happens to be the smallest national park of Costa Rica.

Beaches and Waterfall

After your hike, cool down at one of the park’s exquisite beaches.

Playa Manuel Antonio, a beautiful white sand beach, is the most popular and easiest to access.

But if you are looking for some quiet beach time at a secluded spot, go to Las Gemelas beach.

Espadilla Sur, a short walk from the entrance, is a wide beach in low tide.

❗️ Note: It is prohibited to bring food and any kind of beverage inside the park.

➡️ To know more about the beaches and trails of the park, and their characteristics, read our Manuel Antonio National Park visit guide.

With or Without a Guide?

It is not mandatory to hire a guide to visit Manuel Antonio National Park.

If you have keen eyes and good attention to detail, you may try spotting wildlife on your own.

We enjoy the process of being patient when it comes to finding wildlife in their natural habitat. But if that is not you, we recommend you to book a guided tour.

✅ The expert observation skills of a naturalist guide will definitely help you spot more animals and birds. They know where to find what, and when.

We went on this guided tour by Paddle 9 and had a fulfilling experience. Even after so many visits to Manuel Antonio National Park, we were able to see many wildlife species for the first time, some we couldn’t have spotted on our own.

Unlike many other tours, Paddle 9 includes the Manuel Antonio National Park tickets, so you don’t need to take the trouble of buying them yourself.

💰 Book your Paddle 9 tour here, use our promo code PARADISE and get 20% discount on the tour price.

For Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour, the tour price includes:

• Transportation from and to your hotel in Manuel Antonio or Quepos
• Binoculars for your personal use during the tour
• Fruits and drinks
• and of course, the services of a bilingual guide and a driver.

💰 Remember to use promo code PARADISE to get 20% off.

❗️ Tip: Do not bring your drone. Drones are not allowed in Manuel Antonio National Park.

➡️ For more tips, and dos and don’ts about visiting this park, check out our Manuel Antonio National Park visit guide.

Afternoon: Espadilla Beach

After visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, go to Espadilla Beach, located just outside the park.

Grab your lunch and some drink from one of the ocean view restaurants and shacks on the road, and then stay back at the beach to watch the sunset sky from Playa Espadilla.

If you are willing to shell out some bucks, you can rent beach chairs and umbrella at Espadilla and create a laidback atmosphere to conclude the day.

Day 2: Canopy Tour + Jungle Night Walk

Manuel Antonio is brimming with unique activities that allow you to get up close to its natural wonders.

So, for Day 2 of your Manuel Antonio itinerary, why not pick two diverse activities to experience Costa Rica nature?

Morning: Canopy Tour

In the morning, go for this zip-lining tour and experience Costa Rica’s rainforest from above. This is an exhilarating way to see the treetops canopy in Manuel Antonio as you glide along the longest twin zip line in Central America.

The canopy tour is an adventure spanning over not just 10 zip lines, but also 14 tree platforms, 6 hanging bridges, 3 nature walks, and 1 double belay rappel.

It is an all-round tour as the price includes:

• Roundtrip transportation in air-conditioned vehicle from hotels in Manuel Antonio or Quepos
• Typical Costa Rican lunch
• Snacks, fruits, water
• Services of a bilingual guide
• Helmets with GoPro mounts

For this zip-lining activity, the canopy tour company provides all good quality equipment to ensure your safety throughout the adventure.

Evening: Jungle Night Walk

In the evening, discover the nocturnal side of the rainforest with a guided night walk.

With nightfall, watch the jungle transform into a magical place with various interesting sounds piercing through the darkness of the night.

On the night walk, visitors are provided with flashlights so that when there is a creature spotted, you can use that light to see it clearly.

With an experienced and knowledgeable guide, you can expect to spot creatures like different types of frogs, including the red-eyed tree frog, reptiles, spiders, colorful insects and even some mammals.

This guided jungle night walk offers transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle from and back to your hotel.

➡️ Related Reading: Night Walk in Monteverde

Day 3: Biesanz Beach + Special Dinner

After two days of adventure, spend Day 3 of your Manuel Antonio itinerary unwinding on a beach, and conclude the trip with a special dinner.

Day: Relax at Playa Biesanz

There are many beautiful beaches in and around Manuel Antonio, but for your day out chilling in sun, sea and sand, we recommend Playa Biesanz.

It is a perfect little cove to hang out with the whole family.

The calm waters at Biesanz are ideal for swimming, kayaking and standup paddle-boarding (SUP), and the white sand beach surrounded by lush greenery is inviting for sunbathing, or simply reading a book.

Unlike most other beaches in Costa Rica, here at Playa Biesanz, there are some small “amenities” and “services”.

There are vendors selling fresh coconut juice, chilled beers and other local snacks like ceviches and caldosas.

For activities, kayaks and SUPs are available for rent. You can also find some combo deal prices if you rent beach chairs and umbrellas.

But if you do not need the beach chairs, just find a spot under the shades, lay your beach blanket and enjoy the scenery. That is what we do.

🏨 If you stay at resorts like Shana By The Beach or Parador Nature Resort & Spa, you will be a short walk away from the Biesanz Beach.

Evening: Sunset & Seafood Dinner in an Airplane Restaurant

To conclude your Manuel Antonio itinerary, why not treat yourself to a nice seafood dinner at a unique restaurant?

A famous and Insta-worthy option is the restaurant and bar called El Avion.

The English translation of this name is “the plane”, and that is exactly what this restaurant is. A plane!

A cargo plane has been converted to build this bar and restaurant, using the interior, the outside areas as well as the top of the plane.

We chose to sit in the open-air restaurant on top of the plane, but we took out some time to check out the other areas too.

For choices of dishes, guests at El Avion seem to enjoy the Seafood Curry and the Coconut Shrimp. Pair your food order with a chilled Imperial, the quintessential local beer of Costa Rica.

😎 Hot Tip: Drop in for early dinner and drinks, so that you get to enjoy spectacular ocean and rainforest views during the golden hour of sunset.

Dining at El Avion is a popular thing to do in Manuel Antonio among visitors. So, it is expensive and some may call it touristy.

However, we have seen that Manuel Antonio, as a destination in general, is a top favorite among tourists, and so, most businesses primarily cater to tourists.

Even for us, dining out in Manuel Antonio is a very different experience than when we are eating out during our city living days in and around San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.

Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio

Whether you are looking for luxury, mid-range, or budget accommodations, Manuel Antonio has options to suit every traveler.

Here are some hotel recommendations and the highlights of these stays:

🏨 Luxury: Makanda by The Sea Hotel Adults Only

• Adults only ❤️
• Beachfront hotel surrounded by the rainforest 🏝️
• Onsite amenities like private beach access, infinity pools, spa, fitness center, restaurant 🍽️
• Spacious rooms, suites and villas with elegant design ✨
• Luxurious bathroom amenities with rain shower and bath tub 🛁

🏨 Mid-Range: Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge

• Set in lush rainforest with easy access to beach 🏝️
• Onsite amenities like outdoor pools, spa, restaurant 🍽️
• Entertainment options like water slides, live music, cinema 🍿
• Air-conditioned rooms with neat modern decor 🛋️
• Rooms with ocean and jungle views 🌳

🏨 Value for Money: Peace of Paradise

• Peaceful setting, conveniently located in town 🏡
• Rooms and studios with blue-toned calming decor 🌊
• Balconies or patios with garden view 🌿
• Private kitchenette with microwave, stove stop, coffee maker, small refrigerator 🍳
• Kitchenette stocked with essentials like coffee, oil, salt🧂

Best Time to Visit Manuel Antonio

☀️ The best time to visit Manuel Antonio is between December to April, the dry season in Costa Rica. During this period, you can expect plenty of sunshine and minimal rain, ideal for outdoor activities.

⚠️ To avoid peak season pricing and influx of tourists, pick dates outside of the holiday period of Christmas and New Year.

🌦️ We like visiting Manuel Antonio in the rainy season too, between May and November. The tropical vegetation of Costa Rica wears an even lusher look.

🔻 It is the low season, meaning there are fewer tourists and the prices drop.

❌ However, avoid the months of September and October, when the Pacific side of Costa Rica receives the year’s highest rainfall.

➡️ Related Reading: Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Idea for Manuel Antonio in rainy season – morning hike in the National Park, and afternoon coffee date with ocean views, like the one below.

How to Get to Manuel Antonio

If Manuel Antonio is part of you Costa Rica itinerary, it is best to fly in to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), one of the two international airports in Costa Rica.

From SJO airport, it is fairly straightforward to get to Manuel Antonio. The distance is 158 KM (98 miles).

🏨 If you need to spend a night near the airport, after arriving or before departing, check out these hotels near SJO airport.

Now, here are the ways you can get to Manuel Antonio:

🚘 Drive: Rent a car and take a scenic 3-hour drive. Get 10% discount and other freebies here from one of the most trusted names among Costa Rica car rentals.

🚐 Shuttle Service: Use a shuttle service, private or shared, for comfortable door-to-door rides from the airport to your accommodation. Book your shuttle ride on Bookaway, use our promo code PARADISE5 and get a 5% discount.

🛩️ Domestic Flight: Take a domestic flight of 30 minutes from San Jose to Quepos, and ask your hotel to arrange for a transfer from the airport to the hotel.

🚌 Public Bus: If you are on a budget, take the public bus from San Jose to Manuel Antonio. This route is operated by Tracopa bus company and the ride takes 4-5 hours. Note that, for this option, you need to make your own way from the airport to the bus terminal, by taxi or by bus.

➡️ For more details, read our complete guide on how to get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio Video

Check out our YouTube video about one of our trips to Manuel Antonio and get a visual feel of how you can plan a short trip to this popular destination in Costa Rica.

Where Next

Option 1: Costa Rica South Pacific

For further exploration of Costa Rica along the coastline down south, visit:

🐋 Uvita: A beautiful beach destination, known for its Whale’s Tail beach, incredible whale watching opportunities and Uvita waterfall, a natural slide.

🏨 Uvita has many cool hotels.

🌳 Drake Bay: A remote coastal town, gateway to one of the most biodiverse places on earth, Corcovado National Park, and home to many nature adventures like beach hike and floating in river.

Option 2: Costa Rica Popular

For weeklong vacations in Costa Rica, the two top choices for destinations are Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna.

🌋 So, after Manuel Antonio, pack your bags for La Fortuna, an incredible destination famed for its Arenal Volcano, mineral rich volcanic hot springs, the gorgeous La Fortuna waterfall and the Hanging Bridges, to name a few.

🏨 La Fortuna has many romantic resorts, some with their own hot spring pools.

Plan Your Costa Rica Trip

• 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary from Liberia Airport
• 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary from SJO Airport
• 5 Day Costa Rica Itinerary Ideas

• Should You Rent A Car in Costa Rica?

• Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
• Top Things to Do in Costa Rica

• Costa Rica Packing List + FREE Checklist
• Packing Essentials for Rainy Season in Costa Rica

• Wonderful Waterfalls of Costa Rica
• Wildlife in Costa Rica

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