Facts checked October 2026 by the Manuel Antonio Travel Guide team
Our picks at a glance
| Best for | Tour | Park entrance | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|
| First visit, small group | Naturalist walk, max 10 | Option at checkout | No, meet at the gate |
| No car, no hassle | Guided tour with pickup | Included | Quepos & Manuel Antonio |
| Families and photographers | Private naturalist walk | Not included | No |
| A Tuesday or a second day | Damas mangrove kayak | Not needed | Yes |
| Day on the water | Morning catamaran | Not needed | Manuel Antonio area |
| After dark | Jungle night walk | Not needed | Check listing |
How we chose
- What is included, read on each listing in October 2026, especially the park entrance and transport.
- Group size. Smaller groups get better views through the guide's scope.
- A long and consistent review record. We left out a well-known private tour because of repeated recent reports of guides not turning up.
- Fit with the park's rules, such as the Tuesday closure and the online-only tickets.
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Live prices and reviews
The panel below comes straight from Viator, so prices, ratings and availability are always current.
1. Small-group naturalist walk
The classic way to see the park: about two to three hours on the main trails with a certified guide and a spotting scope, in a group capped at 10. Choose the option with park ticket at checkout so you don't need the SINAC portal. It meets at Chalo Parking, a few steps from the entrance.
2. Guided tour with hotel pickup and entrance
The easiest booking if you are staying in Quepos or up the hill: pickup from your hotel, the park entrance fee, snacks and water are all included, and the group stays small. You can stay on at the beach after the walk.
3. Private naturalist walk
Just your party and a licensed naturalist, about two to two and a half hours, ending at Playa Manuel Antonio. The guide shares the photos taken through the scope. The park ticket is not included, so buy it on SINAC straight after booking.
4. Damas Island mangrove kayak
The best plan for a Tuesday. You paddle through sheltered mangrove channels about 6 km from Quepos, with hotel pickup and a typical Costa Rican meal included. The start time follows the tide, so the operator confirms it the day before. More in our Damas kayak guide.
5. Morning catamaran with snorkel and lunch
A relaxed half day along the park's coastline from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, with a buffet lunch, juices and snorkel gear. The morning departure usually has calmer water. Bring a towel. Compare options in our catamaran guide.
6. Jungle night walk
The park closes in the afternoon, so night walks run on private reserves nearby. Expect about two hours of frogs, snakes and insects with flashlights and a scope provided; the reserve fee is paid in cash on arrival. More in our night tour guide.
Also worth booking
For adrenaline, add a zip line or a day rafting the Savegre River; families with young children may prefer the covered mangrove boat to the kayak. Details in our zip line and rafting guide and Manuel Antonio with kids.
Canopy tour with a very long twin zip line
Best for: A half-day thrill with lunch included
- Hotel pickup, typical lunch, snacks and drinks included
- Platforms, hanging bridges and a twin line close to a mile long
- Maximum weight 275 lb; not for pregnant travellers
Prices and booking on Viator
Savegre River whitewater rafting
Best for: Active travellers wanting a full day of Class II–III rapids
- About 6 hours with hotel pickup, typical lunch and safety kayaker
- Not recommended for children aged 7 and under
- Small groups of up to 8; bring a change of clothes
Prices and booking on Viator
Damas Island mangrove boat tour
Best for: Families with young children and anyone who prefers not to paddle
- Covered motor boat with a certified naturalist guide
- Hotel pickup in Manuel Antonio or Quepos and a meal included
- About 4 hours door to door, usually starting at 8:00 am
Prices and booking on Viator
Putting it together
With two or three days, combine the park walk with one water activity and a night walk. Our 3-day itinerary shows how, around the Tuesday closure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tour in Manuel Antonio?
For most first-time visitors, a small-group guided walk in the national park at 7:00 am. A naturalist with a spotting scope finds sloths, frogs and birds you would miss alone, and you can stay at the beach afterwards.
Which Manuel Antonio tours include the park entrance?
Of our picks, the tour with hotel pickup includes the entrance, and the small-group walk offers a ticket-included option at checkout. The private walk and guide-only tours do not, so buy your ticket on the SINAC portal first.
What can I do in Manuel Antonio on a Tuesday?
The national park closes every Tuesday. Book the Damas Island mangrove kayak, a catamaran cruise or a night walk instead; none of them enter the national park.
How far ahead should I book tours in Manuel Antonio?
From December to April and during Easter week, book park tours as soon as your dates are fixed, because both tours and park tickets sell out. In the green season a few days ahead is usually enough.