In Manuel Antonio
hotels perch on cliffs like palaces
disguising sweeping sea views
with their tall castle walls
Restaurants serve nachos and burgers
to American families
at American rates
The most beautiful beaches are protected
by gates and guards
you must pay to pass
unless you are so bold to climb the cliff
Monkeys and iguanas approach tourists
like ducks and squirrels
making you wonder
is this the jungle
or the zoo?
And everything
is written, spoken, expressed
in English.
But the sun casts its glow over a sparkling green sea
and at the right time
on the right day
you might be the only one on its warm golden shore
Animals are everywhere
and ever ready
to pose for your perfect picture
Delicious food
from a renowned array of international chefs
is plentiful
the service impeccable
And a town
just beyond the hill
with its markets, and Spanish, and sewage
is right next door
if you need a reminder that you are indeed in Costa Rica.
I could not imagine
a more perfect introduction
to the country that I love
than the beautiful, friendly, easy
Manuel Antonio.
Stay
Starting at $140 for a studio with kitchenette, two double beds, and panoramic ocean views
Accommodations in Manuel Antonio are pricey, but Hotel Costa Verde strikes a great balance between luxury and affordability. The hotel has several restaurants including L’Avion and El Wagon (see below). You can reach the national park by bus in a few minutes or walk in less than half an hour downhill.
$14 for four bed dorms, $45-60 for private bungalows
Vista Serena sits on the hill between the park and Quepos but manages to keep prices extremely low. Enjoy the same views as luxury hotels from a comfy hammock while conversing with other travelers. Dorm rooms are clean and simple with shared kitchens and bathrooms.
Eat
$3-5 for breakfast, $5-8 for lunch
Adorably decorated, delicious, healthy affordable food, incredible coffee and has a panoramic ocean view. The latte and pastries are perfection, the vegetarian omelet is loaded with delicious roasted vegetables, and the sandwiches are perfect for packing for the beach.
$10-20 for dinner
This friendly spot offers ocean views, an enormous and internationally diverse menu, and some of the best food in Manuel Antonio. The menu offers anything from thai spring rolls to bacon cheeseburgers to big satisfying salads to calamari sautéed in garlic, capers and white wine… and it’s all delicious! The brownie sundae is to die for and it seems to be the place to meet fun expats and locals.
$10-30 for dinner
Where else can you enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean with a cold creamy pina colada next to a vintage airplane? Come here for a delicious tropical umbrella topped cocktail, appetizers, and prompt professional service. I’d put the fried calamari and nachos against the best you’d find in the US.
$10 for a big pizza for two
Any local will tell you this is not only the best pizza in Manuel Antonio, but maybe in the world. Thin crispy wood fired pies come simple and hot and the lively open air space is great for kids.
$8 for a Panini, $3 for a scoop of gelato
Enjoy Panini on your way to the park or indulge in one of twenty amazing flavors of gelato. The coconut and pistachio are my favorite.
Markets in Quepos
Restaurants in Manuel Antonio are pricey and inaccessible from the park. Head to nearby Quepos for inexpensive groceries, bakeries, and delis to assemble your own picnic.
Do
Manuel Antonio National Park
$10 for a day pass, open 7am-4pm
The trails are somewhat disappointing but the beaches are absolutely stunning. Show up early, hike the paths to few points for a couple of hours, then spend the rest of your day at one of the perfect swimming beaches.
Take a Load off
Free to very expensive
Get a massage. Eat a nice meal. Relax at the beach. Manuel Antonio is a place for vacation. So treat yourself. Enjoy it!
Arrive
Fly
Flights from San Jose arrive in nearby Quepos in twenty minutes for around $85. Buses run constantly to the Manuel Antonio National Park, stopping at hotels along the way, or take a short taxi ride.
Shuttle
$95, 3.5 hours for shared shuttle
$45, shared shuttle
Drive
2.5 hours
http://www.manuelantonio.net/driving-directions/
Bus
3.5 hours, $5
Direct buses leave downtown San Jose at 6an, 12pm, and 6pm for Quepos.
Check the schedule here.
Looking to create the trip of your dreams in Costa Rica? My eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica will show you how!
Ha, that was also my impression of Manuel Antonio. Thank goodness I went, though, even with all the prices and hoopla, because I got to witness possibly my favorite comment ever. We saw a coati and a tourist near us asked, loudly, what it was. The answers from within their group: “A raccoon!” “A cat!” And then: “No you idiots, that’s clearly a lemur!”
It’s definitely an American tourist hotspot, but with how beautiful it is and how close it is to San Jose, I can understand why!
Costa Rica is indeed one of those rare places which have been truly blessed by nature in terms of bio diversity and scenic beauty.
It really is a special place isn’t it?
Hello! I just found your blog, went through a dozen of posts, and fell in love with it. Beautiful writing and photography. I can feel your freedom coming through them. I see you’ve been to Portugal (I’m half portuguese)! What were your impressions?
Anyway, I wanted to ask you for some advice, if possible. I’m headed to Costa Rica in late July/early August with my mom for aprox. 10 days. WHAT TO CHOOSE? I’m absolutely overwhelmed with all the options. What would you personally recommend, having into account that we’re both crazy for nature (including beach), and really don’t want to spend much time mingling with large crowds of people all the time? Also, we’re not going to rent a car, so not too secluded would be great. I’m not looking for luxury or the ultimate backpackers’ experience (since I’m going with my mom). Something in between, I guess. Any tips? Am I being too picky?
Hi Ana. Thank you so much for your kind words!! I’m so glad you enjoy my blog. Yes, I have been to Lisbon and Lagos and absolutely love Portugal. It is one of the countries I have been to that I desperately would like to return to. I found the people to be some of the friendliest and most accommodating in the world. The landscape is incredibly beautiful and I would love to do a road trip starting in the North and head South down the coast. Someday I’ll have to ask for your recommendations when I return 😉
I’d love to give you some advice on Costa Rica. Can you send me a private email and we can discuss more there? You can find it on my contact page.
Done!
Hi Cammille,
My wife and I are planning on traveling to Costa Rica in October. We are very adventurous people…i can only relax on vacation for a couple days till i am bored and ready to go home. So we try to do alot of exciting things. My head is just spinning on what to do and where to go though. It is our 10 year anniversary so we would really like a good mix of Romance and Adventure. Originally was looking at Arenal staying at the springs…but everyday that i log in i am torn into another direction. Now I found Issimo suites in Manuel Antonio and it seems pretty legit too. only have 1 week, so cant do everything…..Any advice on where to get the best mix of romance and adventure.
Hi Duane, thanks for your comment. You really can’t go wrong in Costa Rica if you want romance and adventure, but consider checking out this post for a breakdown of some different beach towns:
https://www.thisamericangirl.com/2013/07/03/which-beach-in-costa-rica-is-best-for-you/
Manuel Antonio has plenty of activities and if you rent a car you can visit lots of nearby beach towns. The Northern Nicoya peninsula around Nosara is also a great option for you with lots of surfing, jungle hikes, turtle sanctuaries, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, etc.
Enjoy!!
I am trying to help my daughter and her boyfriend and there are so many options and so much wonderful but overwhelming info. We love you blog and have been reading nonstop for the last few days. Would it be possible to give you my email or you give me yours and I can ask more specific questions. I wanted to ask before I took the liberty to email you. Thank you
Thank you so much! You can contact me at camille@thisamericangirl.com. My first recommendation would be to purchase my ebook The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica for 19.99. If you still need more help I do offer travel consulting services for a charge. You may also find this blog post helpful:
https://www.thisamericangirl.com/2013/07/03/which-beach-in-costa-rica-is-best-for-you/
Wow, now MA has changed. First time out of US took buses from TJ to Rio and stopped & spent time in CR, what a great time and experience. Had a blast playing coconut football in MA, had a great time in Quepos for a week before heading south. Been to 47 countries, all on a tiny budget, yes it is possible. So glad you are a roadie, not many of us around.