Manuel Antonio Vacation Packages

Unique Boutique Hotels & More!

Many hotels in Manuel Antonio offer authentic Costa Rican charm. You won’t find any cookie-cutter chains here! Most are boutique style hotels with less than 50 rooms. In addition to the hotels in the travel packages above, Oceans Two Resort, Hotel Parador, Arenas del Mar, Shana Hotel and La Vela Boutique Hotel are all great options. Oceans Two Resort and Arenas del Mar are ideal for honeymoons and romantic getaways. Hotel Parador and Shana Hotel are quality options for a variety of travelers. La Vela is the perfect boutique hotel within walking distance to the beach.

Fun Stuff & Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Of all of the beach destinations in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio offers the most activities and things to do. Natural attractions such as Manuel Antonio National Park and the nearby Damas Island Estuary are interesting places to observe exotic wildlife in natural habitats. Thrill seekers can enjoy excellent whitewater rafting on the Rio Savegre or the Rio Naranjo, canyoning and rappelling down waterfalls, zip lining, horseback riding, ATV’s and much more. Of course, you can’t forget surfing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing and so much more. Manuel Antonio is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip!

What are the best places to combine with Manuel Antonio on my vacation?

There are plenty of exciting and unique places to connect with Manuel Antonio on your Costa Rican vacation, but it depends on your interests. Arenal Volcano or Monteverde are top attractions while others add destinations further south such as the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park for even more wildlife.

Arenal Volcano (4-5 hours drive or 1-hour flight) will be the obvious choice for most people as it has so much to offer. While the conical volcano provides an incredible backdrop to everything in the area, the real draw is the hot springs, amazing adventure activity options, and of course natural beauty. Arenal offers some of the best tour operators in Costa Rica, so if adventure or hot springs are on your list, Arenal is a no-brainer!

Monteverde Cloud Forest (4 hours drive) is another popular destination to combine with Manuel Antonio. The enchanting cloud forest is home to many species of highland birds and rare wildlife. Monteverde is also the canopy capital of Costa Rica. You’ll find the best hanging bridges and zip line adventures in this region.

The biologically diverse Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is a great destination for anybody seeking a remote off the beaten path adventure with plenty of wildlife and an outside chance of seeing rare large cat species or tapirs. Drake Bay offers easy access to the Sirena and San Pedrillo Stations. These locations offer some of Costa Rica's finest wildlife observation. There are several river crossings on the roads to Drake Bay, which are often impassable, so most visitors either fly there or take a boat from Sierpe. Everything is an adventure on the Osa!

Other considerations would include beaches further south such as Dominical (45 minutes) for surfing, or Uvita (1 hour) for gorgeous beaches and dolphin and whale watching in Marino Ballena National Park. San Gerardo de Dota (3 hours) is an amazing off the beaten path birdwatching and cloud forest destination. If you only have a couple of days, you may consider the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens (4 hours), in the mountains near San Jose.

Frequently Asked Question

How long should I visit?
Most visitors stay 3 - 5 nights.

Is Manuel Antonio safe?
Manuel Antonio is a safe destination. Violent crime is practically non-existent. Petty theft can be an issue, but nearly always in the form of opportunistic crime. Lock your doors when you go out, use your hotel safe, and of course, don’t leave valuables unattended.

When will I find the best prices?
May through November.

What is the weather like?
Weather in Costa Rica is affected more by precipitation than temperature changes, as is the case in Manuel Antonio. Most people consider the rainy season to be May through November, but the real consistent rains are from mid-August through mid-November. Even then, there will be periods of clear weather in-between. From December through July, average daytime temperatures are usually in the 80’s-90’s, with night temps dipping around 15 degrees. Of course, passing storms can change everything.

When is the best weather?
January through April is the best of the best, but if you can deal with a little rain here and there, you can add May, June, and July to the list.

Why are most hotels located on the hillside?
Costa Rica has strict maritime zone building regulations to ensure natural sectors stay that way. Some areas such as Jaco or Tamarindo are not as restricted. But one look down the jungle-lined beaches of Manuel Antonio, and you’ll understand!

Is Manuel Antonio too touristy for me?
It depends on how you look at it. Quepos, Manuel Antonio, and the immediate surrounding area combined only have a population of around 22,000 people. In the busiest of seasons, there are only enough rooms for another 4,000 or so tourists. Of course, there are tourist-geared attractions, shops, etc., but the number of people/tourists pales in comparison to most other tourist geared destinations in Latin America or the Caribbean, and most beach destinations in the United States are beyond comparison.

Where is Manuel Antonio?

Manuel Antonio is a suburb of the port town, Quepos, on the Central Pacific coast. San Jose and SJO Airport are due north of Manuel Antonio, approximately 170 km or 2.5 hours drive away.