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Manuel Antonio Travel Guide

Your personal travel guide to Manuel Antonio

📍 Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

This route is optimized by LonelyRoad's traffic data and community feedback from solo travelers who have explored Manuel Antonio. All recommendations are verified by our community.

🎯 Suggested Activities

Curated activities based on LonelyRoad community recommendations

🦥

Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking

Explore pristine beaches and spot sloths, monkeys, and tropical birds on scenic trails through lush rainforest.

Location: Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Early morning (7-9 AM)
Duration: 3-4 hours
Price: $
🏖️

Playa Espadilla Beach Day

Relax on Manuel Antonio's longest public beach with calm waters, perfect for swimming and watching surfers.

Location: Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
Duration: 2-4 hours
Price: $
🌅

Sunset at Punta Catedral Viewpoint

Hike to this stunning viewpoint for panoramic ocean views and incredible sunset photo opportunities.

Location: Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Sunset (5-6 PM)
Duration: 1-2 hours
Price: $
🛶

Kayaking at Isla Damas Mangroves

Paddle through serene mangrove tunnels spotting caimans, birds, and monkeys in their natural habitat.

Location: Damas Island, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Morning
Duration: 3-4 hours
Price: $$
🌳

Rainmaker Park Hanging Bridges

Walk suspended bridges through the canopy and swim in natural pools—less crowded than Manuel Antonio.

Location: Route 234, Parrita, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Morning
Duration: 3-4 hours
Price: $$

🎉 Events & Social Activities

Great places to meet other travelers in Manuel Antonio

🥭

Quepos Friday Farmers Market

Browse local produce, crafts, and street food while mingling with locals and expats every Friday afternoon.

Location: Avenida Central, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Friday afternoons (3-7 PM)
Price: $
🎸

Live Music at Ronny's Place

Enjoy live reggae and Latin music with craft beers in a laid-back beachside atmosphere, popular with travelers.

Location: Road to Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Thursday-Saturday evenings
Price: $$

Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Sail along the coast with drinks and snorkeling, great for meeting other solo travelers in a social setting.

Location: Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Best Time: Afternoon departures
Price: $$$

🏨 Places to Stay

Recommended accommodations for solo travelers

Selina Manuel Antonio

hostel

Digital nomad-friendly hostel with coworking space, pool, social events, and private rooms. Perfect for meeting other travelers while having workspace.

4.3/5💰 $$

📍 Road to Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Quepos, 60601, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Hotel Costa Verde

hotel

Mid-range hotel with jungle views, multiple pools, and the famous airplane suite. Quiet atmosphere ideal for working remotely with good WiFi.

4.5/5💰 $$

📍 Road to Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Quepos, 60601, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Hostel Backpackers Manuel Antonio

hostel

Budget-friendly hostel with social vibe, communal kitchen, and walking distance to beach. Great for solo travelers on a budget.

4.2/5💰 $

📍 Road to Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Quepos, 60601, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Wide Mouth Frog Backpackers

hostel

Chill hostel with hammocks, communal areas, and a relaxed vibe. Popular with long-term travelers and has decent WiFi for light work.

4.1/5💰 $

📍 Road to Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio, Quepos, 60601, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

☕ Cafes & Restaurants

Best spots to work, eat, and meet other travelers

Cafe Milagro

cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Excellent locally-roasted coffee, strong WiFi, plenty of outlets, and AC. Popular digital nomad spot with healthy breakfast and lunch options.

4.6/5💰 $$

Emilio's Cafe

cafe📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Cozy cafe with quality espresso drinks, reliable WiFi, and a quiet atmosphere perfect for working. Great breakfast burritos and smoothie bowls.

4.5/5💰 $

Sancho's Mexican Restaurant

restaurant📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Casual spot with good WiFi, large portions, and a mix of locals and travelers. Affordable and has outlets for laptops.

4.3/5💰 $

Gabriella's Restaurant

restaurant

Upscale dining with fresh seafood and steaks. Great for treating yourself after work sessions. No WiFi but excellent food and service.

4.7/5💰 $$$

Falafel Bar

restaurant📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

Healthy Middle Eastern food with vegetarian options, decent WiFi, and outdoor seating. Good for casual working lunch.

4.4/5💰 $

Runaway Grill

restaurant📶 WiFi Available💻 Work-Friendly

American-style comfort food with ocean views. Has WiFi and a relaxed atmosphere. Good burgers and craft beer selection.

4.4/5💰 $$

💡 Local Tips

Insider advice from the LonelyRoad community

  • 📱 Mobile Data & eSIM: Get data for Manuel Antonio with PikaSim - 1GB for 7 days costs $5.40 (other options: 1GB/1d for $4.80, 0.5GB/1d for $3.08). Privacy-focused, no account needed, instant activation. Get yours at https://pikasim.com/download-costa-rica-esim-packages
  • Visa & Entry for US citizens: No visa required for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. You'll need proof of onward travel (return ticket or ticket to another country). No arrival forms or fees required. Immigration is straightforward at San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports. Check https://www.costarica-embassy.org/ for current requirements.
  • Manuel Antonio is 3 hours from San José by bus ($8-10) or shuttle ($50-60). Buses run from Terminal 7-10 in San José. Book shuttles through your hostel or companies like Grayline or Interbus for door-to-door service.
  • The town is walkable but hilly. Many accommodations are spread along the 7km road from Quepos to the national park. Consider staying mid-way for easier access to both town amenities and the beach.
  • Manuel Antonio National Park is closed Mondays. Book your visit for Tuesday-Sunday and arrive at opening (7 AM) to avoid crowds and see more wildlife. Entry is $18 and can be purchased online in advance.
  • The rainy season (May-November) means afternoon showers but fewer tourists and lower prices. Bring a rain jacket and waterproof bag for your electronics. WiFi is generally reliable year-round.
  • ATMs are available in Quepos and along the main road. US dollars are widely accepted but you'll get better rates paying in colones. Credit cards work at most restaurants and hotels but bring cash for small vendors.
  • Meet other travelers at Selina's social events, sunset at Playa Espadilla, or the Friday farmers market in Quepos. The digital nomad community is small but friendly—ask at coworking spaces about meetups.
📱

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