Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike, Manuel Antonio

4.6 (92 reviews)
Explore the lush rainforest and stunning beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on a guided hike
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KLAUS
KLAUS A.
Mar 26, 2026
This was hosted by Tucane Tours. The guide was just average, based on our previous guides, but we did get to see some birds and monkeys... Read more
B
Bonnie Y.
Mar 16, 2026
Finally! I got to see the white-faced monkeys. I also saw bats, a snake, iguanas, and birds. This was more exciting as I finally can see... Read more
S
Sabiha K.
Feb 19, 2026
We saw sooooo much wildlife, it was a really great tour! The guides are very skilled in searching for wildlife and also use lenses to zoom... Read more
Russ
Russ F.
Dec 23, 2025
This was probably the best guided hike we took as we saw and with our guide, took amazing pictures including a male, female and baby 3... Read more
Kelley
Kelley S.
Oct 27, 2025
Our guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park was an unforgettable experience! The park is absolutely stunning — lush, vibrant, and full of wildlife at every... Read more
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Overview

Discover the natural beauty of the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park on a hike with an expert guide. While trekking the two-mile (3.2-km) trail, keep your eyes open for monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles, and butterflies in the wild. The path through the lush rainforest leads you to the sandy beaches and bright blue waters of one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. 

Highlights

  • Hike through the pristine rainforest of Manuel Antonio National Park 
  • Spot monkeys, sloths, birds, and reptiles in their natural habitat
  • Splash around the crystalline waters on one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches

Know before you go

Duration
4h
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
A snack is included

What you'll do

The day begins with a pick-up at your hotel. Make the short transfer to the hike's starting point in Manuel Antonio National Park, where you'll meet your guide and hear an overview of the national park's wildlife and natural highlights.

Follow your guide on a two-mile (3.2-km) trail through the rainforest, spotting sloths, monkeys, reptiles, butterflies, and various birds along the way. The walk is easy with mostly flat trails—perfect for families with kids. A naturalist guide will point out the more than 300 species of mammals and birds that call this reserve home, including three-toed sloths, hawks, iguanas, and several different species of monkeys.  You'll have the opportunity to use the guides' Pentax and Swarovski telescopes if you like.

You'll end up at one of the country's most famous beaches. Take 20 minutes to relax, swim, take photos, and appreciate the scenery before being transferred back to your hotel.
Discover more nature excursions in Costa Rica and other experiences in and around Manuel Antonio.

Start times

  • Daily
    7:30 am, 12:30 pm
  • Tuesday
    Not available

What's included

  • Transportation to and from your hotel
  • Bilingual guides
  • Park entrance fee
  • Snacks

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Traveler photos
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Travelers often mention

Summarized by AI based on kimkim traveler reviews

Knowledgeable Guides

Many reviews praised the guides for their extensive knowledge of the local flora and fauna, as well as their ability to make the tour informative and enjoyable. Guides also helped take excellent photos through telescopes, enriching the overall experience. (37 mentions)

S
“The knowledge of our guide and his ability to spot animals, vegetation and insight into the park made this a memorable experience.”  — Steve S.
Cheri
“I was really impressed with our guide for pointing out not only the obvious sloths, monkeys, but the flora and minuscule creatures that one would overlook.”  — Cheri A.
K
“Our guide was extra friendly and informative, he had a vast knowledge of the flora and fauna plus he was very adept at taking photos with cell phones through the viewfinder of his telescope.”  — Kathryn P.
Abundance of Wildlife

Travelers frequently mentioned encountering a wide variety of animals including sloths, monkeys, toucans, lizards, iguanas, and many birds. Guides were adept at spotting and pointing out wildlife using telescopes, making it easy for visitors to capture photos and videos. (32 mentions)

H
“Saw toucans, sloths, 3 monkey varieties, deer, iguanas and flowers and trees of many varieties.”  — Harry K.
Cheri
“We did see many sloths, white faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and an endangered squirrel monkeys which was a rare treat.”  — Cheri A.
F
“Saw sloths, monkeys, 5 “ cricket, snake, lots of birds!”  — Frederick K.
Beautiful Beaches

The beaches within the park were frequently highlighted as a wonderful part of the visit. Many travelers enjoyed a swim or relaxed on the beach after their guided tour. (24 mentions)

Bill
“The beach inside the park is one of the top 5 in Costa Rica, and the water is a perfect temperature. Beautiful!”  — Bill K.
K
“The beautiful beach at the end of the guided tour was wonderful and the icing on the cake.”  — Kristin H.
S
“The beaches are stunning!”  — Sarah M.
Crowded Experience

A significant number of reviews mentioned the high volume of tourists, which sometimes made it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. Long queues at the entrance and crowded trails were common issues. (15 mentions)

Bill
“They push 2000 people a day through, and at the start, it’s like a cattle call.”  — Bill K.
J
“The main trouble we had was that at every place along the trail where something was interesting to look at, there was a crowd of people and several guides, which made it hard to get in to take a look.”  — Jackson T.
J
“The main path is wide, which allowed the crowds to pass each other, but further on the trails get narrower, and the number of people walking along them made it hard to stop and look at any wildlife without people jostling by or asking to pass.”  — Jackson T.

Traveler reviews

92 total ratings, 68 with reviews
4.6
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.6
Food
4.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.7
Transport
4.8
KLAUS
KLAUS A.
Bon Air, VA | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2026
This was hosted by Tucane Tours. The guide was just average, based on our previous guides, but we did get to see some birds and monkeys and sloth. This park is very beautiful, lush forest and breathtaking ocean side, with an isthmus connecting two wonderful beaches. At the end of the regular tour we decided to stay behind at the park (optional) and hiked the trail at the end of the beaches Read more

This was hosted by Tucane Tours. The guide was just average, based on our previous guides, but we did get to see some birds and monkeys and sloth. This park is very beautiful, lush forest and breathtaking ocean side, with an isthmus connecting two wonderful beaches. At the end of the regular tour we decided to stay behind at the park (optional) and hiked the trail at the end of the beaches

Tips for future travelers

It is a very worth tour, don't miss it

Quality of Experience
Beautiful park and beaches
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Good guide but not the best
Transport
Pick up on time and option to remain at the park and get the $1 public bus back to the top of the hill hotel
B
Bonnie Y.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026
Finally! I got to see the white-faced monkeys. I also saw bats, a snake, iguanas, and birds. This was more exciting as I finally can see a lot more animals without squinting all the time. This tour is why I came to Costa Rica, and it did not disappoint. Read more

Finally! I got to see the white-faced monkeys. I also saw bats, a snake, iguanas, and birds. This was more exciting as I finally can see a lot more animals without squinting all the time. This tour is why I came to Costa Rica, and it did not disappoint.

Tips for future travelers

Future travelers need to understand that if they are seeing animals, that it's mainly through a telescope as they are not in front of your face like in a zoo. The animals are in their natural habitat, which gives a different experience. If they want to see animals up close, go to Animal Kingdom in Disneyworld.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
james
james t.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2026

The Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike was my least favorite activity due to the large crowds. We did see some wildlife, but the experience was hindered by the inability to comfortably view the animals, such as sloths being barely visible.

S
Sabiha K.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Feb 19, 2026
We saw sooooo much wildlife, it was a really great tour! The guides are very skilled in searching for wildlife and also use lenses to zoom into animals that are far up, which you can take amazing pictures from. There's some time to spend on the beach and also after the tour we were given fresh fruit snacks and cold drinks, which was much appreciated. Highly recommend! Read more

We saw sooooo much wildlife, it was a really great tour! The guides are very skilled in searching for wildlife and also use lenses to zoom into animals that are far up, which you can take amazing pictures from. There's some time to spend on the beach and also after the tour we were given fresh fruit snacks and cold drinks, which was much appreciated. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Russ
Russ F.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 23, 2025
This was probably the best guided hike we took as we saw and with our guide, took amazing pictures including a male, female and baby 3 toed sloths. Our guide took us back on a different path back to the entrance were we saw more beaches and flora and fauna Read more

This was probably the best guided hike we took as we saw and with our guide, took amazing pictures including a male, female and baby 3 toed sloths. Our guide took us back on a different path back to the entrance were we saw more beaches and flora and fauna

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kelley
Kelley S.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Oct 27, 2025
Our guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park was an unforgettable experience! The park is absolutely stunning — lush, vibrant, and full of wildlife at every turn. Our guide was fantastic, helping us spot so many animals we would have easily missed on our own. We saw several sloths, along with a variety of other fascinating creatures, from colorful birds to playful monkeys. The trails led us to some truly beautiful beach areas, where we could relax and take in the breathtaking coastal... Read more

Our guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park was an unforgettable experience! The park is absolutely stunning — lush, vibrant, and full of wildlife at every turn. Our guide was fantastic, helping us spot so many animals we would have easily missed on our own.

We saw several sloths, along with a variety of other fascinating creatures, from colorful birds to playful monkeys. The trails led us to some truly beautiful beach areas, where we could relax and take in the breathtaking coastal views.

Travel tips: bring plenty of water, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars if you have them, and an extra couple of dollars. We purchased ice-cold coconuts on our way out, and they were perfect for the occasion!

This tour was the perfect combination of nature, wildlife, and relaxation — highly recommend it to anyone visiting Costa Rica!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
S
[email protected] S.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2025
Our guide made this jungle walk amazing. Read more

Our guide made this jungle walk amazing.

Tips for future travelers

The beach after the guided tour was fun and worth planning on.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
L
Linda H.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Mar 25, 2025
Tips for future travelers Bring swimsuit and towel. Not optional! The beach and water are wonderful and there are facilities in which to change.
Also, do not bring a plastic water bottle or food. It will be confiscated. Read more
Tips for future travelers

Bring swimsuit and towel. Not optional! The beach and water are wonderful and there are facilities in which to change. Also, do not bring a plastic water bottle or food. It will be confiscated.

Quality of Experience
Swam in a beautiful, warm bay in the park.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Diego was excellent. Very observant, helped us take pictures through his binocular lens and showed us insects that we otherwise would have missed. Several sloth sightings and hummingbirds.
Transport
Easy walk from our hotel.
Sally
Sally R.
Northbrook, IL | Reviewed on Mar 15, 2025
Beautiful! Read more

Beautiful!

Tips for future travelers

Bring suit, towel etc and spend some time at the beautiful beach within the park

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Had to hurry through the last part after guide spent a little too much time time in the beginning of the tour
Transport
M
Madeline G.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 14, 2025
We loved this tour! We saw plenty of animals and enjoyed our time immensely. There are some things we wish we would have known prior to going. Read more

We loved this tour! We saw plenty of animals and enjoyed our time immensely. There are some things we wish we would have known prior to going.

Tips for future travelers

You cannot bring plastic bottles or food inside of the park. We weren't aware of this, at all. We didn't have enough water for how long this trip was after having to dispose of our plastic water bottle. We also didn't refill in the park after watching a monkey drink directly from the refill station. The park is really, really busy in the morning and was crowded on many of the trails. We chose not to swim but actually would have loved to. It may have been hard to carry a beach bag and all things needed for a long trail walk plus swimming.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide Lisandro was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!1
Transport

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