This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
Thinking about taking a catamaran tour in Manuel Antonio National Park?
These tours are an absolute blast! Hopping on a catamaran is an awesome way to enjoy beautiful coastal views and spot marine life, plus there’s food, drinks, and snorkeling. Seriously, what could be better?
Since these tours are so fun, we tested out quite a few of them while living in Costa Rica, and now we’ve rounded up our top picks for you. This is not something you get to do every day, so it’s important to make the right decision and get the most out of your adventure.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this half-day catamaran experience along the coast. There’s the chance to see dolphins and turtles, go snorkeling, enjoy an included lunch and open bar, and watch the sunset! Check out all the 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
1. Half-Day Sailing Tour with Lunch and Open Bar
- Price: $95 USD
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 9 am or 2 pm
- Highlights: Spotting dolphins and sea turtles, snorkeling at Biesanz Beach, sunset if you choose afternoon sail
- Inclusions: Unlimited soft drinks and cocktails, snorkeling gear, lunch (vegetarian option available), hotel pickup and drop-off
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check 500 reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
We had so much fun on this catamaran tour! We had already explored Manuel Antonio on foot, but seeing the park’s gorgeous coastline from out on the water was just as incredible. We were so excited when we spotted dolphins and sea turtles from the boat, and it’s also possible to spot whales here, which is one advantage of visiting during the off-season.
We also loved the snorkeling session at Biesanz Beach, because we got to see tons of tropical species like puffer fish. It was like a rainbow down there! The crew was on hand to help anyone who wasn’t a confident swimmer, and the gear was in good condition.
The on-board lunch was really tasty, too. We got fresh fish, which we both really enjoyed. And of course, the open bar didn’t hurt at all!
Having said that, we still think that this tour is the best choice for families looking to do a catamaran cruise in Manuel Antonio, as well as those just looking to relax. It’s definitely less party-orientated than other tours we have done.
We did this tour in the afternoon, so we got to round off our day with an epic sunset. We’d highly recommend doing the same, if you can, as it was the perfect end to an amazing day. And if you’re thinking of doing this tour in the high season, make sure to book in advance!
Reserve your spot on our FAVORITE catamaran tour here!
Related Read: Need advice on traveling to Manuel Antonio? Check out our guide on how to get from San Jose to Manuel Antonio!
2. All-Inclusive Half-Day Catamaran Tour
- Price: $83 USD
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Time: 9 am or 2 pm
- Highlights: Snorkeling, spotting marine life, coastal views
- Inclusions: Buffet lunch, snorkeling equipment, fruit juice, cocktails, hotel pickup and drop-off
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check 300+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This all-inclusive catamaran tour is our top pick for budget travelers. It’s the cheapest one on our list but still has pretty generous inclusions. I mean, what’s not to like about a buffet lunch and open bar?
We loved the lively atmosphere on board the boat. The music was upbeat, the crew had fun, and our fellow travelers were all in high spirits, so it was a good party atmosphere overall!
We saw dolphins and whales, which was amazing and got to go snorkeling, too. When we spotted the dolphins in the distance, the captain actually took us closer so that we could all get a better look!
The lunch was really tasty, too. We ate tons of fish and pasta, which was needed to soak up all of the cocktails we had. However, we also thought that the vegetarian option looked good, too.
We would recommend doing this tour in the morning during the rainy season to get the best weather. However, if you’re visiting during the dry season, then we suggest going in the afternoon, as this is a surefire way to catch an epic sunset.
Book in advance here as this tour tends to sell out thanks to its competitive price!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Manuel Antonio Catamaran Tour
- Price: $86 USD
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 9 am or 2 pm (dry season only)
- Highlights: Snorkeling, dolphin watching, water slides, jacuzzis on board
- Inclusions: Lunch, snacks, 4 alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, hotel pickup and drop-off
- Rating: 4.5 stars (Check 180+ reviews here)
- Free cancelation: Yes
Those who want to party should go on this catamaran tour! We had an absolute blast and spent the day sipping cocktails, jumping into the water, and soaking in the onboard hot tubs.
Oh yes – we were super impressed by this bougie boat! In addition to the tubs, there were also water slides and tanning meshes on board. Basically, this tour is the ideal choice for groups of friends looking for a fun day out. We met lots of new people and even ended up dancing after the cocktails took hold!
But let’s not forget about the natural beauty, either. We loved taking in the views of Manuel Antonio as we sunned ourselves on the tanning meshes (which are also great for Instagram photos, just FYI) and we spotted lots of dolphins. The snorkeling portion of the tour was fun, too, and we really appreciated the fresh, local lunch that we were served.
All in all, this is a very memorable way to see Manuel Antonio! It’s a lively tour, and it’s the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. We have to give a big shout-out to the crew, as well, because they really couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful. Basically, if you’re looking for a fun time out on the water, don’t hesitate to book this tour!
Grab your spot here and you can choose to pay later!
Related Read: While you’re booking activities for your trip, have a look through all the top tours we recommend in Manuel Antonio!
Other Must-Do Activities While You’re in Manuel Antonio
Once you arrive in Manuel Antonio, there’s so much to see and do! You can check out our full guide on Manuel Antonio or browse our favorite activities below!
- Visit the National Park – Of course, you’ll want to see Manuel Antonio National Park! It’s easy to hike through on your own, but we find it’s nice to have a guide – especially to help you spot wildlife. This specific tour is only $30 USD and includes a 2-hour guided walk through the park. After the tour, you’re free to enjoy the beaches and relax.
- Coffee and chocolate tour – Coffee and chocolate are two of my favorite things. So, it should come as no surprise I just had to join this top-rated coffee and chocolate tour in Manuel Antonio! The tour teaches you about the historical importance of cacao as well as the entire process of making chocolate. It’s a fantastic experience!
- Ziplining – Did you know that Manuel Antonio is home to the longest twin zipline in Costa Rica? Well, on this ziplining tour, you’ll get to zoom through the treetops on a huge tandem zipline! You can race with your friends and enjoy the experience together!
- ATVing – This ATV tour is so much fun and takes you into the jungle to explore at high speed and then refresh in a natural waterfall. You’ll get wet and dirty, but have a fantastic time! A traditional Costa Rica lunch is also included.
Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
There are tons of different hotels to choose from when deciding where to stay in Manuel Antonio. Here are a few of our favorites for all budgets:
Parador Resort and Spa – $$$
Those who enjoy staying in a beautiful hotel and don’t mind paying for it, have to check out Parador Resort and Spa. This place does tick a lot of boxes! It’s only a short walk to the beach, has fantastic panoramic views thanks to its elevated location, and has two infinity pools.
The hotel is surrounded by rainforest, so there’s tons of wildlife around too. It’s more around the $350 USD+ per night mark, but is great for a luxury getaway! You can check availability and book online here.
Hotel Villas Lirio – $$
For the medium-budget traveler, my top choice is Hotel Villas Lirio (pictured above). This gorgeous hotel is reasonably priced but has some very luxurious features such as an outdoor pool, tropical manicured gardens, an included breakfast, and a restaurant.
The hotel is also located in the heart of Manuel Antonio and is only meters from the main road where the bus down to the beach and national park goes (it’s a 1-minute drive or a short walk). Be sure to book it in advance as it is often fully booked. You can book Hotel Villas Lirio here.
Selina – $
One of the best budget-friendly places to stay in Manuel Antonio is Selina. Selina has hostels all over Costa Rica and the world. They always offer an ideal place to stay with clean rooms, a great bar, and a social atmosphere. In Manuel Antonio, Selina is no different, and the hostel comes with a huge pool, restaurant and bar, private rooms, and dorm rooms.
Rates begin at $57 USD per night. You can book Selina here on Hostelworld or here on Booking.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
I hope our list helped you pick out a catamaran tour to take in Manuel Antonio. The scenery along the coast is gorgeous and it doesn’t hurt that these tours also include extras like snorkeling, drinks, and lunch. Getting out on the water is one of the best parts of vacationing in Costa Rica, so what are you waiting for?
For more travel inspiration, check out all our blogs on visiting Costa Rica here. Or I put a couple below that you might find especially helpful for your time in Manuel Antonio.
5 BEST Night Tours in Manuel Antonio
21 Things you NEED to know before visiting Manuel Antonio National Park