How to Spend THREE DAYS in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: The Best 3-Day Itinerary
Craving tropical beaches and wildlife straight out of a nature documentary? Let’s plan your perfect escape to Manuel Antonio!
This stunning corner of Costa Rica packs a ton into a small area. But with so many activities and only a few days to explore, we know all too well that figuring out how to make the most of your time can feel a little overwhelming.
That’s where we come in. We lived in Costa Rica and still return every year, so we know Manuel Antonio very well! So we’ve used our insider expertise to craft the ultimate three-day Manuel Antonio itinerary, with all of the info you’ll need. Let’s go!
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Manuel Antonio was this full-day tour. It combines a jungle hike, waterfalls, and hot springs for the ultimate day of adventure and relaxation—everything we loved about Manuel Antonio in one epic experience!
Manuel Antonio National Park
- Our Top Choice
- Itinerary Overview
- Day 1
- Book this guided nature tour here!
- Book this ATV tour here and enjoy free cancellation!
- Day 2
- Book this epic zipline tour here before it sells out!
- Read 800+ glowing reviews and book this jungle night walk here!
- Day 3
- Check availability and book your spot on this tour here!
- Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Itinerary Overview
Manuel Antonio is a charming town perched on a hilltop, just a short drive from some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches and the famous national park. We’ve found that getting around here is definitely easiest with a rental car, as it gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and reach all the best spots without hassle. Meanwhile, the town itself has a laid-back vibe, with cozy restaurants, colorful shops, and friendly locals that make every visit feel warm and welcoming.
Day 1: We’ll dive into nature with a morning visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, followed by an adventurous ATV tour and a sunset dinner with ocean views.
Day 2: Today starts off on a high note (literally!) with a zipline adventure through the rainforest, then you’ll have some time to relax on the sandy shores of Playa Espadilla before a nighttime wildlife tour.
Day 3: Kick off your last day in Manuel Antonio by exploring the mangroves on a boat tour, then unwind at quieter beaches before finishing with dinner at a local favorite spot.
Day 1
Morning – Visit Manuel Antonio National Park
Of course, visiting Manuel Antonio Natural Park is a must when you’re in town, and going with a naturalist guide is the best way to do it! We were blown away by how much we learned on this top-rated tour.
Book the 7 am option of this tour. Hotel pickup is included from Manuel Antonio and Quepos, which is super useful, as parking can be a bit of a nightmare! But what’s really great is that you’ll be with a knowledgeable guide who will ensure that you see a ton of wildlife, such as sloths, toucans, iguanas, and monkeys… just to name a few creatures! Our guide, Javier, also provided us with spotting scopes so we could get up-close views.
You will need to purchase your own tickets to enter the national park, where the guide will take you to the ticket booth, or you can purchase them online ahead of time. We highly recommend buying your tickets before you go here, as there are limited slots available. They cost $18 USD, which is the same as at the park gates, but booking online ensures you won’t miss out. Then, the tour takes care of absolutely everything else.
Also note that the park is closed on Tuesdays, so the tour doesn’t operate that day—make sure to plan ahead and swap your days around if your day one falls on a Tuesday.
This tour is the perfect way to get to know Manuel Antonio National Park and see as much wildlife as possible. It’s so much better than visiting Manuel Antonio on your own! You don’t just have to take my word for it, either, because you can read over 3,000 5-star reviews here!
Lunch – Agua Azul
After your morning tour wraps up with a drop-off at your hotel around 11 am, it’s the perfect time to freshen up and then go refuel. And we think that Agua Azul in Manuel Antonio town is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch before you go off on this afternoon’s adventure. The menu here is huge, so whether you’re craving traditional Costa Rican dishes, seafood, or something more familiar like burgers and salads, you’ll find plenty of options to satisfy your appetite.
With some time before your next adventure, you can take it easy by wandering around town or heading down to Espadilla Beach for a peaceful stroll. And don’t worry, we’ve carved out more time to hang out here later on in this itinerary!
Afternoon – Go on an ATV tour
After a leisurely lunch, get ready for an exciting afternoon with this epic ATV tour! It’s the perfect chance to get off road and explore the area’s amazing rainforest and hidden waterfalls.
Book the 2 pm tour, and they’ll pick you up right from your hotel in Manuel Antonio or Quepos. You’ll return around 5 pm, feeling refreshed and full of new memories. In the meantime, you’ll enjoy some serious thrills as you tear through the lush Costa Rican countryside, riding your own ATV through rainforest trails, mountain paths, and rural towns.
We absolutely loved the ride because it provided so many opportunities to spot wildlife and take in stunning views of the vibrant landscape. Along the way, we stopped for a nature walk through a pristine forest in Rainmaker Park, where we saw some beautiful waterfalls and even took a refreshing dip in one of them!
The tour includes some climbing, so it might be a bit challenging for those with limited mobility, but everyone can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and the incredible scenery. After the adventure, you’ll be treated to a typical Costa Rican meal at a local ranch, rounding out an unforgettable afternoon. No wonder this tour has over 1,000 fantastic reviews!
Dinner/Drinks – El Avion
El Avion is a must-visit restaurant slash bar in Manuel Antonio—in fact, it might just be the most unique bar in the whole of Costa Rica! It’s a two-level venue built in and around an old cargo plane, and if that weren’t enough, it also offers panoramic jungle and ocean views. You can’t miss this place!
Now, this afternoon’s tour did end with a traditional Costa Rican meal, so you can either grab a light dinner here or just go for sunset drinks. If you do want to eat, they do amazing coconut shrimp, and I love the seafood curry here. Meanwhile, in terms of drink, they’ve got tons of tropical creations to choose from—cheers!
Day 2
Morning – Go Ziplining
There’s no better way to explore Manuel Antonio’s lush rainforest than by ziplining through it! We suggest booking this tour for 8 am so that you can enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled morning in the jungle, and then you’ll finish around 12:30 pm. Or, if you prefer a slower start, there is also an 11 am option available.
There’s no need to worry if you’re nervous because the guides on this tour are so supportive and patient. They made me feel safe every step of the way!
And honestly, once you launch off of that first platform, the thrill completely takes over. I think I was smiling the entire way around the course, which consists of 11 ziplines, six hanging bridges, and 14 tree platforms.
I loved spotting sloths and colorful birds along the way—it truly was the cherry on top of a fantastic adventure! The highlight, though, had to be soaring along the longest twin zipline in Central America, which is suspended almost a whole mile above the forest canopy. How cool is that?
After exploring, you’ll get a traditional lunch of stewed chicken, rice, beans, and fresh salad, so you don’t need to worry about finding lunch today, either. It’s both fun and great value for money, so no wonder it has over a thousand five-star reviews!
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:
Afternoon – Relax on Playa Espadilla
Espadilla Beach is the main beach in Manuel Antonio, and one of our favorites in Costa Rica! We love coming here to soak in the sun and swim in the warm, calm water. It’s a super safe beach and it has a bit of everything, including a bar and restaurant right on the sand, plus vendors walking along with souvenirs and snacks. We usually pay a small fee here to rent beach chairs and a parasol for extra comfort.
Optional Parasailing
If you’re up for a little extra thrill, you can book this parasailing tour! It launches from Playa Espadilla and takes you flying along Manuel Antonio’s beautiful coastline. The views are epic, and you’ve got the choice to go solo, tandem, or as a group of three, which makes the experience even more fun. We’re honestly not surprised that this flight has a five-star rating—read the glowing reviews here!
Evening – Night tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
You already know how many amazing animals there are to see in Manuel Antonio during the day, and there’s even more at night! Taking this night walk through the jungle was one of our favorite things we’ve ever done in the national park, so of course we had to include it in this itinerary!
This tour starts at 5:30 pm, so we suggest leaving the beach at around 4 or 4:30 pm to head back to your hotel, rinse the sand off, and change before getting picked up by the tour. Dinner is provided, too, so you don’t need to worry about grabbing food before you go.
When we did this tour, we absolutely loved our guide, Roy, who was an absolute master at finding frogs and snakes. We saw so many exciting nocturnal critters, including a nest of baby hummingbirds, blue jean frogs, leaf-cutter ants, and some huge spiders that I didn’t get too close to!
And with no light pollution, the stars looked absolutely AMAZING! It was such an amazing hidden perk that I didn’t expect. And I was pleasantly surprised that there weren’t many mosquitoes around, either. Roy said that the bats get them all!
After our hike through the jungle, we were treated to a typical Costa Rican meal for dinner including chicken, rice, beans, veggies, and pineapple. It was made by local cooks, and it tasted so good—especially after two hours of walking!
Related Read: For more epic night tours in Manuel Antonio, check out our detailed guide to the top 5 here!
Day 3
Morning – Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour
The mangroves in Costa Rica are one of the most important ecosystems for wildlife, so enjoying a tour of them is a must! That’s why we’re kicking off your third and final day in Manuel Antonio with this Damas Island boat tour, which takes you through the mangroves to see lots of interesting wildlife species.
The tour leaves at 8 am, and you get complimentary hotel pickup so there’s no need to worry about parking or navigation! You’ll be dropped back at your hotel around 1 pm, after a complimentary lunch.
The Damas Island Mangroves are located only 20 minutes from Manuel Antonio, and we loved traveling out to them on a small boat. It was a lot of fun weaving through the narrow waterways of the mangrove forest, and we spotted so much wildlife, from monkeys and sloths to anteaters and a wide variety of birds. It was amazing to see them in their natural environment.
Of course, spotting these animals was much easier with our guide, who also gave us all the information about the animals in the forest. We learned a ton!
This is such a relaxing way to see more of Costa Rica’s biodiversity and one of the best activities in Manuel Antonio! All entrance fees are included, and you even get lunch after the boat ride. With over 1,600 5-star reviews, free cancellation, and flexible payment options, this tour is the best way to explore the Damas Island mangrove forest!
Afternoon – Check out Manuel Antonio Beach and Playa Espadilla Sur
After lunch, it’s the perfect time to explore two of Manuel Antonio National Park’s most beautiful beaches. Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur are both located inside the park, which means you’ll need a park entrance ticket to access them.
Getting there takes a bit more effort, but it’s absolutely worth it. Parking can be a bit hectic, but you may not need to drive! Public buses run regularly from the town to the park, or many hotels offer shuttles to and from the park. Ask your hotel and they will know the best way to get there!
Once you arrive, you’ll need to walk through the jungle to access the beaches. The main trail, Sendero Playa Manuel Antonio, is a flat, well-maintained walk that takes about 30 minutes. As a bonus perk, you’ll probably spot monkeys and other wildlife along the way!
Playa Manuel Antonio is the most popular beach in the park, with calm turquoise waters, soft white sand, and plenty of shade from the almond trees. It’s a great spot for swimming, but just be sure to stick to the left side (if you’re facing the ocean) where there’s no reef.
If this beach starts to feel a bit crowded, you can continue along the Sendero Playa Espadilla Sur trail to reach Playa Espadilla Sur. It’s usually quieter, but just as beautiful, with wide open space for sunbathing or taking a peaceful swim.
Related Read: If you’d rather someone else take care of the logistics, check out these 5 great Manuel Antonio National Park tours here!
Dinner – Ronny’s Place
Ronny’s Place is an awesome local restaurant that’s beloved by both residents and visitors, so we think it’s the perfect spot to wrap up the trip. We come here every time we’re in Manuel Antonio because the fresh seafood and house margaritas are just too good to resist. Last time we visited, I had the red snapper filet, which was the catch of the day, and it was just delicious.
And not only does Ronny’s Place offer great food and drinks, it also really delivers in terms of views! It has a lovely terrace overlooking the rainforest canopy and the ocean beyond that. It’s worth getting here for sunset so that you can watch the sky do its thing with a cocktail in hand. What a way to toast your final night in Manuel Antonio!
Related Read: Looking for even more unforgettable experiences? Check out our guide to the 10 best things to do in Manuel Antonio here—it’s filled with can’t-miss adventures, hidden gems, and plenty of wildlife magic!
Where to Stay in Manuel Antonio
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.
Hostel Plinio – $
Hostel Plinio is one of the best budget-friendly places to stay in Manuel Antonio. They offer private or dorm rooms, and even full studios with a sea view! You can relax in the swimming pool, enjoy the restaurant, and take in the social atmosphere. It’s located just 2.5 miles from Manuel Antonio National Park and 10 minutes from Quepos.
Dorms start at $22 USD and private rooms at $46 USD. Check prices and book this stay on Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Related Read: Still not sure where to base yourself? Read our guide to where to stay in Manuel Antonio here! It breaks down the best areas and hotels—whether you want jungle views, beach access, or a boutique spot with a pool.
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!
Three days is a perfect amount of time to soak up the magic of Manuel Antonio—lush jungle trails, abundant wildlife, golden beaches, and unforgettable adventures. While we could’ve stayed longer (and totally plan to next time!), this itinerary hits the top highlights, local favorites, and still leaves space to relax and enjoy the pura vida lifestyle.
Before you start packing, be sure to check out our other Manuel Antonio blogs here! We’ve explored this area inside and out, and love helping others plan their dream trip. Or, read some of our top guides below to help make your escape to Costa Rica even more epic—cheers!
3 Best ATV Tours in Manuel Antonio
