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Manuel Antonio

Rainforest meets Pacific beaches

Curated by Vinod Kumar Jain & Amit Jain · All Frontier Global · free, no login · reviewed 2026-07-05

The journal

A capuchin monkey stole a bag of chips off my beach towel with the confidence of a seasoned thief while I was still deciding whether to be annoyed. Sloths moved through the canopy at a pace that made my whole itinerary feel like a personal failing.

Things to do

Manuel Antonio National Park · National park

Protected rainforest sanctuary with pristine beaches, wildlife, and jungle canopy trails. Best: Dec–Apr

Cathedral Point · Beach

Scenic promontory with dramatic rock formations, tidal pools, and white sand beaches. Best: Dec–Apr

Quepos · Beach town

Lively coastal town offering sportfishing, beachfront restaurants, and gateway access to the park. Best: Dec–Apr

Rainforest Canopy Tour · Adventure

Zip-line through jungle canopy offering an aerial perspective and wildlife observation opportunities. Best: Dec–Apr

Nauyaca Waterfall · Viewpoint

Twin cascading waterfall with natural pools suitable for swimming and picnicking. Best: Dec–May

Arrival

Airport
San José Juan Santamaría (or Quepos XQP) (SJO) — ~3 hr drive from SJO, or short hop to Quepos.
SIM / data
Buy a Kolbi SIM in San José first; limited shops locally.
Money on arrival
CRC; USD widely accepted, ATMs in Quepos/Manuel Antonio.

Daily costs

Backpacker/day
$50
Mid/day
$100
Comfort/day
$180
Rent (1BR)
$900–1500

Beach & rainforest favourite

← San JoséArenal →

← Costa Rica profile