Complete Guide to Visiting Manuel Antonio National Park – Tickets, Tours & Things to Do

Tucked along Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, this small but extraordinary park packs more wildlife, beaches, and rainforest magic into its 16 square kilometres than most destinations manage across an entire country. Three species of monkey. Two types of sloth. Scarlet macaws. Crystal-clear Pacific beaches. And all of it reachable in a short walk from Igloo Beach Lodge on Espadilla Beach.

Whether you’re planning your first Costa Rica trip or finally making the detour you’ve been putting off, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

How to Buy Manuel Antonio National Park Tickets

This is the detail that trips up most first-time visitors so let’s get it out of the way early.

You cannot buy tickets at the park entrance. As of 2025, all Manuel Antonio National Park tickets must be purchased online in advance through the official SINAC government portal at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr. You’ll register an account, enter your passport number, and choose your entry date and time slot. The process takes about ten minutes.

During peak season, December through April, and especially Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter  tickets sell out days in advance. Book at least 3–5 days ahead to avoid disappointment. During the green season (May–November), 24-48 hours is usually enough.

One more thing: vendors near the entrance sometimes approach visitors claiming to sell tickets or guiding services. Don’t buy from them. Legitimate tickets come only through the SINAC portal, and genuine guides carry an official ICT certification card.

Should You Book a Manuel Antonio National Park Tour?

Honestly? Yes  at least for your first visit.

You can absolutely explore the park independently with your ticket. The trails are well-marked, the beaches are easy to find, and you’ll have a good time. But the wildlife experience is in a completely different league when you have a certified naturalist guide beside you.

Here’s the thing about sloths: they’re almost invisible without trained eyes. A three-toed sloth hanging motionless in the upper canopy looks exactly like a clump of leaves from below. Guides carry high-powered spotting scopes on tripods. They know which trees the sloths favour, where the squirrel monkey troops are feeding, and which trails have the best early-morning activity. Most visitors who skip the guide come back saying the same thing  they would have missed most of what they saw.

Tour options at a glance:

• Shared guided tour (~$70/adult): Transportation from your hotel, park entry, bilingual certified guide with spotting scope, 2.5–3 hour wildlife walk. Stay in the park independently for the rest of the day.
• Private guided tour (~$85/adult): Same as above, but your group has the guide entirely to yourselves. Great for families and photographers.
• Self-guided option (~$30/adult): Park entry ticket plus a digital map of wildlife hotspots. Best for returning visitors who know the trails.

Igloo Beach Lodge’s tour desk arranges all of these no need to coordinate with outside operators.

The Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio National Park

Walk the Main Trail at Sunrise

The park opens at 7am, and the first two hours are genuinely special. Animals are most active in the cool morning air, the light is golden, and the trail is quiet before the tour groups arrive. The main loop connects the entrance to the park’s beaches through dense tropical rainforest; this is where most wildlife encounters happen.

Hike to Cathedral Point

Sendero Punta Catedral is the park’s most rewarding trail, a short but slightly elevated loop between two beaches that rewards you with sweeping Pacific Ocean views from a forested headland. On clear mornings, you can see the coastline stretching south toward Dominical. It’s also prime territory for scarlet macaw sightings at dawn.

Swim at Playa Manuel Antonio

Protected within the park’s boundaries, this beach doesn’t have the overdevelopment that affects many Costa Rica coastlines. The water is calm, warm, and clear,ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and simply sitting with a view. Arrive early and you’ll have it nearly to yourself.

Spot the Rarest Monkey in the World

The endangered Central American squirrel monkey  known locally as the titi monkey  exists in only two places on earth: Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Park. With just around 1,500 remaining in the wild, spotting a troop moving through the canopy is genuinely rare. A good guide will know their current feeding routes.

Practical Tips Before You Go

• The park is closed every Tuesday – plan your visit for Wednesday through Monday.
• No food is allowed inside the park since early 2025. Eat a full breakfast before you arrive (Igloo Beach Lodge’s restaurant opens at 7am).
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen – regular sunscreen is harmful to the marine ecosystems here.
• Bring: comfortable shoes, a reusable water bottle, insect repellent, a hat, and your swimsuit.

Where to Stay Near the Park

Location matters more than people realise for a Manuel Antonio park visit. Igloo Beach Lodge sits on Espadilla Beach, a short walk from the park entrance  meaning you can arrive at opening time without an early car journey or shuttle coordination.

Our igloo-style accommodations are eco-friendly, pet-friendly, and designed for guests who want to be close to nature without giving up comfort. Standard, Double, and Quadruple Igloos are available for couples, families, and groups. The on-site restaurant, pool, spa, and tour desk mean everything you need before and after your park day is right here.

FAQ

Can I buy Manuel Antonio National Park tickets at the entrance? No. All tickets must be purchased online in advance at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr. Walk-ins are not permitted.

What day is the park closed? Every Tuesday. The park is open Wednesday through Monday, 7am to 4pm.

Is a guided tour worth it at Manuel Antonio National Park? Yes – particularly for first-time visitors. Guides carry spotting scopes and dramatically increase your chances of seeing sloths, squirrel monkeys, and rare birds.

What animals can you see in Manuel Antonio? White-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, endangered squirrel monkeys, two- and three-toed sloths, scarlet macaws, toucans, iguanas, and over 180 bird species.

Where is the best hotel near Manuel Antonio National Park? Igloo Beach Lodge on Espadilla Beach is a short walk from the park entrance – ideal for an early morning arrival. Our tour desk arranges park tickets, guided tours, and day trips.