MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica’s most popular national park, which is saying a lot because it is also its smallest! This park is jam-packed with flora and fauna that will leave even the most well-traveled in awe! If you have a keen eye, you can spot squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths, and green iguanas! Needless to say, this area is one of the most bio-diverse in the world and needs to be on your itinerary!
Attractions:
Explore the National Park: It’s hard to put into words just how beautiful this national park is. The experience of walking through the Costa Rican rainforest past sloths and white-faced monkeys is unreal! If you like hiking, there are plenty of trails for you to explore. If you enjoy beaches, there are plenty for you to lounge at. I highly recommend spending a full day here! The park is open Tuesday-Sunday from 7am-4pm. Tickets can be bought at the Coopealianza near the park entrance (I recommend doing this the day before your visit). Admission for the day costs $18.08 and 3-hour guided tours cost an additional $51 per person.
Visit Quepos: Just 45 minutes by public bus ($0.60) from Manuel Antonio, this small town is very well-known for its gorgeous beaches. You can also take a tour through the Damas Island Mangrove to see caimans, snakes, and iguanas.
Other attractions to consider include: El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour and Zip Coaster.
Accommodation:
Selina: When you stay at a Selina, you know what you are going to get. This hostel has it all - a yoga deck, three swimming pools, a jungle garden, a restaurant, and (of course) a bar. It is in a great location and is very clean as well! From the bus station, it is a 25-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride.
Transportation:
Manuel Antonio’s main bus station is Tracopa Terminal and where the below buses depart from. If you choose to travel via shuttle bus, those will pick you up from your hostel/hotel.
Jacó is 2 hours by bus from Manuel Antonio and costs $6; buses depart daily at 4:05am, 9:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, and 5:00pm.
The shuttle bus ride is 1.5 hours and costs $34.
San José is 3.5 hours by bus from Manuel Antonio and costs $9; buses depart daily at 4:05am, 9:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, and 5:00pm. In SJ, you will be dropped off at Tracopa Terminal.
The shuttle bus ride is 5 hours and costs $54.
La Fortuna is 8-9 hours by bus from Manuel Antonio (indirect; via San José) and costs $14. The first bus from Manuel Antonio to San José is 3.5 hours and costs $9 (see bus times above). Upon arriving at Tracopa Terminal in SJ, walk 25 minutes to Terminal 7-10 (or take a 15-minute taxi for $10). The bus ride from here to La Fortuna is 4 hours and costs $5; buses depart every 20-50 minutes (or by demand from 5:30am-5:45pm).
The shuttle bus ride is 6 hours and costs $59.
Monteverde is 8-9 hours by bus from Manuel Antonio (indirect; via San José) and costs $15. The first bus from Manuel Antonio to San José is 3.5 hours and costs $9 (see bus times above). Upon arriving at Tracopa Terminal in SJ, walk 25 minutes to Terminal 7-10 (or take a 15-minute taxi for $10). The bus ride from here to Monteverde is 4.5 hours and costs $6; buses depart once daily at 2:30pm.
The shuttle bus ride is 6 hours and costs $59.
Puerto Viejo is 8-9 hours by bus from Manuel Antonio (indirect; via San José) and costs $20. The first bus from Manuel Antonio to San José is 3.5 hours and costs $9 (see bus times above). Upon arriving at Tracopa Terminal in SJ, walk 30 minutes to Terminal Atlántico Norte (or take a 15-minute taxi for $10). The bus ride from here to Puerto Viejo is 4.5 hours and costs $11; buses depart every two hours from 8:00am-6:00pm.
The shuttle bus ride is 8 hours and costs $99.
The closest airport to Manuel Antonio is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO; outside of San José). SJO is located 160km (100 miles) from town and is accessible via shuttle bus. The shuttle bus ride is 3.5 hours and costs $54.
Thank you, Rickyoumans, Christina, Josué, and Isabella, for sharing your photos for this page!