Facts checked October 2026 by the Manuel Antonio Travel Guide team
How much the entrance costs
| Visitor | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Non-resident adult, 13 and over | US$18.08, tax included |
| Non-resident child, 2–12 | About US$5.65, tax included |
| Under 2 | Free |
| Costa Rican residents and nationals | Colón rates, with ID (cédula or DIMEX) |
You pay the fee to SINAC. A guided tour that says entrance included pays it for you; one that says entrance not included expects you to arrive with your own ticket. More on that in tours with entrance included.
How to buy, step by step
- Go to the official SINAC portal, serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr. Check that address carefully: look-alike sites resell tickets at a mark-up.
- Create an account and confirm it from the email SINAC sends you. Do this a day early; the email can be slow.
- Choose Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, your date and an entry time slot. Pick the earliest slot you can realistically make.
- Enter each visitor's full name, nationality and passport number exactly as in the passport.
- Pay by card. If payment fails, try another card or browser before assuming the date is sold out.
- Save the confirmation with the barcode. Keep it offline on your phone, because signal at the entrance is unreliable.
If any page shows only Spanish, the words you need are fecha (date), horario (time slot), pasaporte and pagar (pay).
When to book
- December to April and Easter week: book as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Costa Rican school holidays (the mid-year break in July and the long December–February break) bring local families, especially at weekends.
- May to November (green season): usually a few days ahead is enough, but Saturdays still go first.
Remember the gap between Monday and Wednesday. If your only day in Quepos is a Tuesday, the park is not an option; use it for Damas Island or a catamaran instead.
If your date is sold out
- Look for a guided tour with entrance included for that date and confirm with the operator that they still have entry for you before paying.
- Move the park to another morning and swap in an activity outside it.
Scams on the way in
- Ticket sellers on the road or in car parks. SINAC does not sell tickets there. You are either paying a mark-up or buying nothing.
- Men waving you into a lot and saying you must take their guide. You don't. Park where you choose and hire a guide only if you want one.
- "Official" websites that aren't. The park's ticket site ends in sinac.go.cr. This site is an independent guide and does not sell park tickets.
At the gate
Have the barcode and passport ready. Rangers check bags: outside food, single-use plastic bottles and bags, alcohol, drones, beach umbrellas, balls and pets are not allowed in. Water in a reusable bottle is fine. If you want to eat, there is a cafeteria inside the park with a designated eating area.
Weather closures. SINAC closes Manuel Antonio during severe rain, most often in September and October. Your ticket does not tell you this in advance, so check the SINAC portal or local news the morning of your visit.
Should you add a guide?
Most first-time visitors see far more with one: the guide's spotting scope finds sloths and frogs you would walk past. Read do you need a guide in Manuel Antonio for an honest answer, or compare formats here:
Small-group naturalist walk, entrance included
Best for: First-time visitors who want the guide to handle tickets
- Confirm the listing says the SINAC entrance fee is included
- Look for a maximum group size (10–12 is comfortable)
- About 2–3 hours, ending near Playa Manuel Antonio
Prices and booking on Viator
Guide only — you buy the entrance yourself
Best for: Travellers who already hold a SINAC ticket for the day
- Your ticket time slot must match the tour start
- Bring the passport you used when buying the ticket
- Usually the cheapest guided option
Prices and booking on Viator
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy Manuel Antonio tickets at the entrance?
No. There is no ticket booth. Tickets are sold only online on the SINAC portal, and the ranger at the gate scans the code on your phone or printout.
How much is the Manuel Antonio entrance fee?
As of October 2026 a non-resident adult pays US$18.08 including tax, and children aged 2 to 12 pay about US$5.65. Children under 2 enter free. Fees are set by SINAC and can change.
What day is Manuel Antonio closed?
The park is closed every Tuesday, including when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Monday from 7:00 am.
Do tickets sell out?
Yes. The park has a daily visitor cap. Dates in December to April, Easter week and Costa Rican school holidays can sell out days or weeks ahead.
Do I need my passport?
Yes. Each ticket carries the visitor's name and passport number, and rangers check them at the gate. Bring the passport itself; a photo of it may not be accepted.