Manuel Antonio National Park lies on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the Manuel Antonio area of Puntarenas Province. It is one of the country's best-known national parks, and it brings together two landscapes that are often visited in the same morning: sandy beaches on the shoreline and tropical rainforest rising behind them.
What a visit offers
- Beaches: The coastline is the park's most famous feature, with calm stretches of sand set against the Pacific.
- Rainforest trails: Walking paths lead through forest, where the shade and the sound of the canopy change the feel of the day.
- Wildlife: Sloths and monkeys are among the animals visitors commonly hope to see, and the park's varied habitats support many other species.
Because the park joins coast and forest in one place, it suits a range of visitors. Those who want to combine a swim with a walk among trees will find both close together, and those interested in wildlife can spend time looking up into the foliage as well as along the shore.
Planning your trip
The park sits within the Manuel Antonio area, so accommodation, food and transport options are found in and around the town that bears the same name. Visitors arriving from elsewhere in Costa Rica can plan their day around the park's position on the coast. For up-to-date information on visiting, the park can be reached by telephone at +506-2777-5185.
Manuel Antonio National Park is a good choice for anyone who wants to pair the Pacific shoreline with tropical forest and its wildlife in a single outing.