Manuel Antonio
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check our disclosure policy for more details.
Manuel Antonio is a beach-side town on Costa Rica’s west coast. Located in Puntarenas Province, which borders the Pacific Ocean to one side and mountains to the other for much of its territory, this area is plentiful with naturally beautiful landscapes. The town of Manuel Antonio is a wonderful place to visit if you enjoy beaches, nature, and wildlife.
Travel tip #1: Unlike most towns and cities in Central America, tap water is safe to drink in Manuel Antonio and the rest of Costa Rica. Even though it may not taste the best to some people, it is perfectly safe to consume so drink up and stay hydrated!
Places of Interest
Manuel Antonio National Park: Known as Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, this one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks that boasts stunning beaches, a tangle of manicured hiking trails, and beautiful flora and fauna. Read more about visiting the Park here.
Playa Espadilla: This beach runs from the rocks on Manuel Antonio beach to another far down the coast. This long stretch features soft sand, places to lounge, and cafes. Buena Vista Beach Club is located in the middle of Playa Espadilla and is a popular meeting area. If you walk north up the shore, you will reach Playa Espadilla Norte, a small section of beach that is less frequented.
Playa Biesanz: On the small peninsula opposite of Playa Espadilla is Playa Biesanz, a tree-shaded beach in a crescent-shaped bay. The beach is a bit rocky, so bring some water shoes or sandals if you choose to swim in the shallow waters. Nearby walks include Playa Sonia and Playa Piedritas.
Holis Wellness Center: This well-known self-care center offers an array of spa treatments using the most advanced techniques and utilizing top-of-the-line food grade products, most of which are part of the Essenthya Skin Care Food line developed by Holis Wellness Center founder, Evelina Bolognini. You can schedule a spa day, drop-in for $20 yoga classes, participate in a variety of wellness retreats, and more. Check-out their website for more information.
Plumeria Spa: As of 2023, this is a newer spa in Manuel Antonio. This small location offers different types of massages, facials, and relaxation services in a clean, modern, air conditioned setting right off the main road. They were doing a special while I was visiting, which was an hour-long massage for $65 USD. The masseuse was incredibly kind and gave a great massage.
Travel tip #2: Although I did not personally partake in a sunset boat tour, mangrove kayaking, or ziplining while in Manuel Antonio due to time constraints, these are other popular activities to experience.
Food & Drink
Cafe Milagro: This local shop roasts its own coffee while positively impacting the environment. It was started by two young friends and has expanded over the past 30 years. With its casual, tropical ambience, great food, local micro-brews, live music, and their very own fresh roasted coffee, Cafe Milagro is a great place to start or end your day.
Emilio’s Cafe: A coffeehouse and cafe with a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean from their terrace. Enjoy western breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals in addition to Costa Rica staples. They have a wide array of freshly prepared desserts, including a coconut flan that is to die for. Call ahead to reserve a table up closest to the window.
Varuna: Plant-based foods, juices, and smoothies that are 100% vegan. They have a combination of smoothies and raw foods to choose from, which are great after a hot yoga session across the street at Holis Wellness Center.
Sodas: A “soda” is a local Costa Rican restaurant that serves traditional food, like desayuno tipico, casados, and platos de fruta. Prices are usually low (3,500-5,000 CRC for a casado) and the food is fresh and tasty. Soda El Angel is one of the more popular places amongst locals and tourists alike, as is Soda Santa Plancha. I recommend ordering a casado de pescado (fish) with rice and beans with a fresh fruit smoothie on the side.
Ronny’s Place: If you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, look no further than Ronny’s Place. Located up a small hill, the restaurant overlooks part of the jungle and then the gorgeous ocean. This is a lovely dinner spot with a fantastic sunset view, but can get quite busy during peak season. Try their red snapper as well as grouper filet.
El Avión: A restaurant with a reassembled C-123 Fairchild cargo plane that has been converted into a pub as the focal point–how much cooler could a space be? El Avión is the perfect location to watch how the sunset paints the sky from a bird’s eye, panoramic view and then sit in the plane’s cockpit after having a few drinks.
Travel tip #3: Prices in Manuel Antonio are higher than other parts of Costa Rica, but much lower than what you would pay in a country like America. For example, a fresh smoothie is about 1,700 – 2,000 CRC ($3 – $4 USD). When paying for food and drink in Manuel Antonio, USD and Costa Rica Colon (CRC) are both typically accepted–just ask the cashier. If you pay in USD, you more than likely will receive change in CRC. Cash is appreciated more than digital currencies, so it is best to exchange or withdraw cash to have on hand. Currency exchanges can be made at Promerica Bank along the main road in town; your passport is required to do so.
Transportation & Accommodation
If you are strictly staying within Manuel Antonio’s town parameters and have not rented a car for the duration of your trip, transportation should not be an issue as places of interest, beaches, restaurants, and bars are all within a short distance from one another. Walking is an option for those who are physically-able to, but there is a bus system that connects Manuel Antonio and Quepos. The bus typically runs every 15-20 minutes throughout the day and costs 390 CRC (~$1.80 USD) as of March 2023 for a one-way ride. Try to have coins or small bills to pay the bus driver when you hop on. Although they will give change, it makes things much easier for them if you have correct change or small amounts of cash. Other than walking and taking the local bus, there are a few taxis that can be ordered if needed. For those staying at resorts, transportation is usually included in your package.
While in Manuel Antonio, I stayed at an Airbnb owned by my friend’s family that is lovingly called “Mango Dreams.” It was centrally located and a great experience, as I was able to see a little bit into the lives of the locals. Our hostess, Rosemary, made different types of Costa Rican breakfasts every morning, complete with coffee, fresh fruit, and kind conversation. I learned that Manuel Antonio has a fair amount of wildlife, even amongst the residential areas away from the National Park, beaches, and resorts; we could hear the roar of howler monkeys from our bedroom, as well as see capuchin monkeys play in the trees as we walked down the road.
Travel tip #4: For those who want a quieter and a relaxation-forward experience, a hotel along Playa Espadilla (Igloo Beach Lodge is really neat) or inland off the main road (The Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio) may be better options. Personally, I loved my Airbnb experience with Rosemary and would recommend Airbnb while in Costa Rica if you are interested in learning more about Costa Rican life!
Climate
Manuel Antonio has a coastal rainforest environment, which means it has distinct wet and dry seasons with ample sunshine and warm to hot temperatures year round [ranging between 30°C (87°F) and 34°C (93°F)]. Mid-December to mid-April is the dry season, though the occasional rain shower can occur, albeit in the afternoon. May through mid-November is regarded as the “green” season, when daily afternoon showers are the norm. These showers give life to the tropical plants, allowing them to fully bloom and blossom. September and October are typically the rainiest months of the year, so most visitors should avoid traveling to the area during this time frame to avoid weather-related inconveniences. Manuel Antonio can be a bit overrun with tourists, especially during the area’s high season (December through February). For a more relaxed experience with fewer people during dry season, opt to travel here the last two weeks of November, near the end of March, or the beginning of April. For those who wish to experience more flowers and animals, visiting between May and August are great.
