Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife, and Easy Travel Tips

Looking for a low-stress escape with sunshine, beaches, and plenty of wildlife? My sister and I spent a week in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica—with a quick overnight in San José—and it reminded me that sometimes the best itinerary is no itinerary at all. Here’s our condensed trip report with practical details you can actually use—and I hope these tips help you plan your own unforgettable Costa Rica getaway.

Two smiling women posing in front of a scenic overlook with lush green cliffs and the Pacific Ocean in the background in Costa Rica.

Getting There: San José to Manuel Antonio

I flew into San José (SJO) from Alabama and waited a couple of hours for my sister’s delayed flight (Coke Zero + café perch = sanity). We’d prearranged private transportation, and the owner met us curbside before our driver whisked us to Manuel Antonio. Pro tip: Download WhatsApp – it’s the preferred method of communication in Costa Rica.

Security sidenote: my thrifted suitcase of clothing donations (plus mixed nuts and electrolyte packets) earned me extra screening – the agents were kind, and yes, the snacks survived.

Where We Stayed & Getting Around

We rented a condo on a main road – handy for local buses to Quepos and Playa Manuel Antonio, and walkable to Biesanz Beach. Rides cost just a few hundred colones (under $1 USD). Sidewalks are limited; walk single-file, face traffic, and stay alert on curves.

A Costa Rican bus stop sign partially covered by large green leaves, showing a ‘Live Bus GPS’ notice and QR code.

Handy stops:

Café Milagro (multiple visits for breakfast and lunch)
Super Joseth (water, drinks, basics)
Maxi Pali in Quepos (Walmart subsidiary for larger grocery runs)

A grocery store aisle in Costa Rica with shelves of packaged foods, freezer cases, and a red shopping basket in the foreground.

Beaches We Loved

Playa Manuel Antonio

Classic, wide, and lively. We bargained a canopy + lounge chairs down to $20. Smooth, sandy bottom, warm water, and easy food options across the road. We watched hair braiding, impromptu massages, and loads of happy kids.

A scenic shot of Manuel Antonio Beach framed perfectly by palm trees with the ocean stretching beyond. — Manuel Antonio Beach

Biesanz Beach

A small cove accessed by a rocky path; watch your footing and take it slow. We rented shade and chairs, waded, and watched white-faced capuchins leap above the treetops while howler monkeys patrolled the power lines. It’s a postcard – just be prepared for pop-up rain.

Wildlife Highlights (Without a Tour)

Monkeys everywhere: capuchins near Biesanz; howlers balancing on lines like tightropes.
Agoutis browsing near La Mariposa Hotel, plus leaf-cutter ants by the marina.
Birds: scarlet macaws, toucans, parrots, and some that we were not able to identify
Reptiles + friends: an iguana perched in the canopy; deer crossing trails at dawn.

A deer resting on rocky ground at the edge of dense Costa Rican rainforest greenery.

An agouti walking through bright green grass in Costa Rica, surrounded by lush vegetation.

And yes, sloths absolutely live in Manuel Antonio—they just decided to play hide-and-seek with us this time. If you’re hoping to spot one, keep your eyes on ceiba trees and Cecropia (guarumo) trees, which are their favorite hangouts. Just remember: sloth-hunting sometimes requires binoculars, slow strolling, and a whole lot of patience. They blend in like pros, which is exactly why I don’t have a photo to show off… but trust me, they’re out there living their best slow-motion life.

Local Food & Drink

Café Milagro: omelets (chorizo for the win), tuna poke bowls, shrimp tacos.
Soda Sanchez (Quepos): unfussy, flavorful, and one of our favorite meals of the trip.

A plate of Costa Rican fajitas with sautéed peppers, onions, beef, and chicken served with fresh salad and tortillas.

Gabriella’s (Marina Pez Vela): great marina views and a fantastic place to watch the sun set over the pacific.
Ronny’s Place: sunset vibes and live music; arrive by car (there’s no pedestrian shortcut).

A whole fried fish served on a white plate with mixed sautéed vegetables and citrus slices, set on a wooden restaurant table with water glasses in the background.

Rosti (Multiplaza Mall, San José): casado for my sister, orange chicken for me – friendly service and a sweet compliment on my Spanish.

A gray ceramic bowl filled with crispy sesame-topped fried chicken strips, shredded cabbage slaw, and a serving of rice, with a small metal cup of dark dipping sauce in the center.

Market nibble: fresh soursop—tangy, creamy, and miles better than processed versions.

Easy Day Out: Whale Watching

We booked a whale-watching tour from the beach near Uvita. Expect to wade barefoot into the boat. We saw a mother and calf surface a few times plus frigatebirds (“pirate birds”) circling for snacks. If you’re motion-sensitive, pre-dose your seasickness meds and sip water; we got queasy but recovered quickly once we got our sea legs back under us.

A small group walking along a tropical beach toward the water, carrying bright red flotation devices, with palm trees and boats lining the shoreline.

Church on the Beach & Surf Lessons

Sunday service on the beach was peaceful, capped by my nephew’s baptism in the ocean—a memory for life. We rented a cabana, grabbed Café Marlin cheeseburgers, and cheered on family surf lessons. The gentle, sandy bottom made wading easy; just reapply sunscreen constantly.

Rain Happens (Embrace It)

This is the tropics—monsoon-style downpours can pop up fast. We got drenched walking back from Biesanz and laughed the entire way. Build flexible buffers into your plans; rainy afternoons are perfect for pool time, naps, laundry, and bakery runs.

Two smiling women standing indoors, soaked from the rain, wearing swimsuits and flip-flops with a wet patio floor beneath them and an iron gate in the background.

San José Finale: Multiplaza + Club Level Night

For our last night, we checked into a San José hotel connected by a sky bridge to Multiplaza Mall. The club lounge at InterContinental Hotel offered evening bites (6–8 p.m.) and an 8 a.m. breakfast.

A rectangular platter of assorted mini desserts, including berry mousse bites, pecan chocolate bars, chocolate truffle-topped cakes, and cookies-and-cream cheesecake squares, displayed on a marble countertop.

We had a little time to explore the mall before calling it a night and catching some shut-eye before our flights home, so we wandered through the shops and stopped by Automercado, a sleek, modern grocery store with everything you could want—I’d highly recommend checking it out if you’re staying nearby.

A store display inside Auto Mercado showcasing gift baskets with pink bows, jars of assorted candies, and shelves of white and rosé wine bottles.

Airport Notes (SJO)

Lounge: upstairs near Gate 5—small, clean, quiet, and enough food to tide you over.

Seating area inside of a lounge at the SJO airport.

Money: we barely used colones; Apple Pay and cards worked almost everywhere. When prompted, charge in colones for better card exchange rates.
Departure tax: none charged at exit.
Priority Pass timing: KLM Lounge wasn’t accepting PP until 3 p.m.; Air France after 5 p.m. Plan around those windows.
Construction: a new Terminal B is underway; signage can be confusing. Allow extra time to navigate trams/skytrains. We spotted a United Club Fly in B that looks promising once everything opens.

Unexpected Moments We Loved

Massage serendipity: friendly beach vendors offering trial massages (I planned to book a full session later, but it never quite worked out).
New friends: We met Karlotta at the bus station while listening to local teens practicing with their band as we waited for our bus. We invited her to beach church the next morning—she came, and her cheerful spirit truly brightened our day. We were tickled that she joined us on the whale watching trip, too!

Three smiling women taking a cheerful selfie in a tropical Costa Rican setting with palm trees and warning signs in the background.

Leaf-cutter ants parade: tiny marvels on a mission near the marina.
Family milestones: ocean baptism + kids’ first surf = worth the trip alone.

Costs & Little Logistics

Local bus: ~370 colones per ride (under $1 USD).
Beach shade + chairs: $20 after a friendly negotiation.
Private transfer SJO ⇄ Manuel Antonio: we paid $225 back to San José (+ $40 tip); prices vary by company, vehicle, and timing.
Uber works in town; but don’t assume walkable shortcuts – some places are “as the crow flies” only.

What We’d Do Again (and What We’d Skip)

Do again:

Sunrise balcony coffee while the jungle wakes up.

A breathtaking sunset casting golden light across the Pacific, with a green hill jutting into the sea.

Split time between Playa Manuel Antonio and Biesanz for two very different beach feels.
Market snacking (fresh soursop!) and Soda Sanchez in Quepos.

Skip/adjust:

Over-planning. The best surprises—monkeys, new friends, ocean baptism—weren’t on any checklist.
Pricey salads across from the condo; sodas are a better value.
We had a great experience on the whale-watching tour—truly, seeing those massive, graceful creatures in the wild is unforgettable. But for us, it falls into the “once was enough” category. Even though the boats do their best to keep a respectful distance, I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty about being part of the crowd surrounding them. It was beautiful, but next time we’ll let the whales enjoy their ocean in peace.

If you’re dreaming up your own Costa Rica getaway (or plotting your revenge on the rainy season), don’t miss the rest of my trip notes. I’ve got the full scoop on what to expect at the San José Airport, a peek inside our Airbnb stay in Manuel Antonio, and our experience at La Mariposa Hotel, where we stayed in 2024 And if you’re into flavor or flying through the treetops, check out the Villa Vanilla Spice Tour and the heart-pounding fun of zip lining at El Santuario Canopy Adventure. Every stop had a little magic of its own—and they all make planning your trip a whole lot easier.

Practical Tips for Manuel Antonio & SJO

Footing: the Biesanz trail is rocky and slick when wet; wear grippy sandals or water shoes.
Sun + heat: start early, hydrate nonstop, and take shady breaks. Humidity is real.
Wildlife etiquette: keep distance, don’t feed animals, and zip snacks—monkeys are clever.
Cash vs. card: carry a little cash for tips and tiny purchases; otherwise credit card/Apple Pay is king.
Bus stops: learn both directions; one was right in front of our complex and we only noticed later—classic.
Minor injuries: pharmacies are helpful for ankle braces, gels, and quick advice.
Motion meds: whales are worth it; pack Bonine/Sea-Bands just in case.
Rain plan: assume an afternoon storm; schedule active stuff in the morning.
Airport lounges: check Priority Pass time windows at airports before you go.
Safety walking: limited sidewalks—walk single-file, face traffic, and be visible on curves.

A colorful farmers market display in Costa Rica featuring pineapples, bananas, and fresh produce with vendors in the background.

What the Weather Was Really Like in Costa Rica in July

We visited Costa Rica from July 16–23, 2025, during the rainy season, which typically runs from May through November. While we only experienced a couple of afternoon downpours, it’s always wise to keep rain gear handy—weather can change quickly in the tropics.

When we arrived in San José, the high reached 86°F, and it was the same on the day we departed. In Manuel Antonio, daytime temperatures ranged from 83°F to 89°F, though the day we left the coast, the high topped out at a cooler 76°F. Nighttime lows hovered around 68–72°F, pleasantly warm but definitely air-conditioning-worthy.

One more note for travelers: Costa Rica doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time, so sunrise and sunset remain fairly consistent throughout the year.

A peaceful view of the sun setting over a green bluff and the Pacific Ocean, seen from between two condos.

Final Call

From beach walks and whale sightings to monkeys overhead and church on the sand, Manuel Antonio delivered the dream: easy buses, friendly people, and wildlife everywhere you look. If you’re craving pura vida—the slow, joy-forward kind—this corner of Costa Rica makes it effortless.

If you have questions about Biesanz vs. Playa Manuel Antonio, SJO lounge access, or getting from San José to the coast, drop them in the comments—I’m happy to help you plan a trip that’s delightfully unplanned. Pura vida!