Updated July 2022

Top Things to Do in Manuel Antonio

Home to some of the most spectacular scenery on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio is an incredible paradise. If you are deciding which destinations to visit, you really should include Manuel Antonio in your Costa Rica vacation itinerary. Picture perfect beaches, dramatic cliffs and lush tropical rainforest landscapes are a feast for the eyes. Manuel Antonio also happens to support an incredibly diverse collection of wildlife just about everywhere you turn. And it is not all about Manuel Antonio National Park. The region around Manuel Antonio is a magnificent place to explore. With so many amazing outdoor adventures to experience, Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica for good reason. So let’s explore some of our favorite things to do in Manuel Antonio!

The following list of the top things to do in Manuel Antonio has been compiled by our team members at the Real Deal Tours. Our top picks are based on customer feedback and personal experiences to help you make the very most of your Costa Rica vacation. We are listing them in no particular order as we have a very diverse team with different interests and activity levels, but we have all agreed these are the must do activities in Manuel Antonio & Quepos.

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike – Disneyland For Nature Lovers

Hands down one of the finest gems in Costa Rica is the Manuel Antonio National Park. Only with a guided tour you can enjoy the benefit of seeing it with the expert help of a certified professional nature guide. Because this is their passion and livelihood, your guide’s trained eyes are sure to spot wildlife that you may otherwise miss. This is what makes the Manuel Antonio National Park one of the top attractions in Costa Rica.

Our guides begin by assessing the interests and energy levels of your group. So if you have an interest in a specific animal from birds to monkeys, let your guide know so that he or she can customize you Manuel Antonio National Park tour just for you. The protected natural habitat within the Manuel Antonio National Park is home to a dizzying number of animal species. You can encounter anteaters, snakes, 2 and 3-toed sloths and monkeys including the beloved squirrel monkey that is now sadly endangered. The tour meanders around walking trails in the park that are appropriate for all fitness levels.

Following the guided tour, you may opt to spend more time exploring Manuel Antonio National Park trails at your own pace. You can also head to the beach for some relaxation, or grab some snacks and beverages at a nearby restaurant.

Quepos Damas Mangroves Exploration – Costa Rica Bird Watching Safari Style

Hiking not your thing? Then climb aboard a customized estuary boat and explore the Damas Mangroves in Quepos safari style! Our talented bilingual naturalist guides will ensure you get to know the rich ecosystem of the Costa Rica’s mangroves like never before. You can also op to kayak your way through the mangroves, or explore it at night too! If you love birds and getting up close to wildlife, exploring this lush natural estuary is sure to be a highlight of your Manuel Antonio vacation.

With the keen eyes of your nature guide, common wildlife sightings include exotic marine birds, iguanas, anteaters sloth and crocodiles. If you are lucky, you may get to interact with the local white-faced Capuchin monkeys whose curious and friendly personalities will delight you. As you explore the surrounding tropical rainforest and acres of protected estuary, don’t be surprised if you are overcome by the charming beauty of the local flora and fauna. You will also learn about the eco-structure of the mangroves that is essential to the vitality of not only Costa Rica, but the entire global ecosystem. This unique eco tour is an excellent activity for the whole family and easily one of the most popular tours in Manuel Antonio.

Quepos Canyoning Tour Manuel Antonio – Experience True Canyoneering in Costa Rica

Had enough of nature and ready for some action? The more adventurous team members LOVED the Quepos Canyoning tour! This is the real deal. Some parts of the canyoning tour are preset, but due to the fluctuating flow of the river in the rainy season, the guides carry a lot of the equipment and adapt the tour as you go.

This year, they have made a ton of upgrades too!! They brought in canyoning experts from all over to assess the router and make improvements. So we can confidently say this is truly one of the best canyoning tours in Costa Rica. And only in Costa Rica, and especially in Manuel Antonio, can you participate in a true canyoning experience with all its adrenaline pumping glory. The suspension bridges, ziplines and waterfall rappelling are all fun, but our personal favorite was the monkey drop!

But best of all is if you want to make it a full day of adrenaline pumping fun, they offer a discount if you book a combo with the ATV tour as well. This can be done in one day easily during dry season, but during rainy season the Canyoning tour is dangerous during the afternoon. So they either separate the days and operate both in the morning, or operate the canyoning in the morning and the ATVs in the afternoon if not terribly raining. Honestly, the ATV tours are a blast in the rain anyhow. See our Costa Rica ATV tour reviews for more info on that.

White Water Rafting the Savegre River – Wet & Wild Fun For Adventurous Families

If you have always dreamed of trying whitewater rafting, there is no better place than Costa Rica! Just south of Manuel Antonio you will find the scenic Savegre River with class II & class III rapids perfect for beginners as young as 8 years old, yet challenging enough for experienced paddlers as well.

Take on this adrenaline-pumping adventure with the expert leadership of friendly, certified river guides who will make sure your Class II & III whitewater rafting experience is everything you could dream of and more. In between the wet and wild rapids, look up and you guides will point out some of the incredible birds which inhabit the rainforest such as cormorants, egrets, osprey, parrots and toucans. The rapids will take you on a 13 mile expedition downstream, with stops at gorgeous waterfalls and natural swimming pools along the way.

After all that hard work paddling the Savegre River, you will be rewarded with a well deserved hot meal in the charming village of Silencio. They think of everything! Now you understand why white water rafting in Manuel Antonio is one of the top things to do in Costa Rica?

Manuel Antonio Catamaran Snorkel – Best Boat Tour in Manuel Antonio

You cannot go to a beach destination in Costa Rica and not get out on a boat, so last but definitely not least, the Catamaran Snorkeling tour rounds out our list of the top things to do in Manuel Antonio.

Depending your preference of snorkeling and seeking dolphins in the morning or cruising the Pacific while the sun sets a romantic backdrop, the catamaran tour in Manuel Antonio offers both morning or afternoon departures. The morning tour visits the isolated Playa Biesanz bay where the inviting waters filled with tropical fish beg for some snorkeling or free diving action. The afternoon departure leads to an amazing sunset cruise with a romantic ambiance perfect for that romantic Costa Rica vacation. Whichever you choose, you are sure to encounter plenty of marine life. With the help of the guides, you may spot sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and even humpback whales during their migration season! Nothing like cruising along with marine life playing in your wake to bring a giant smile to your face. The Manuel Antonio catamaran tour highlights the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of Manuel Antonio while you relax in total comfort.

For those who prefer more active tours by boat, there is also the option to Kayak in Manuel Antonio too!

As you can clearly see by land and by sea, there are an amazing variety of things to see and do in Manuel Antonio. This is just our list of most recommended tours in Manuel Antonio, but don’t just take our word for it! Check out our complete list of tours in Manuel Antonio and start planning your Costa Rica vacation fun today!