Manuel Antonio National Park
Madness-Monkey Mischief & Sloth-Spotting🐒🌴
Manuel Antonio National Park—it’s the place everyone talks about when visiting Costa Rica. “You have to go!” they said. “It’s a sloth-lover’s dream!” they promised. So, naturally, we couldn’t resist.
With only a few days left before handing back our trusty 4x4 camper van, and a serious case of sloth-FOMO, we decided to go all in—even if it was a bit over our day-trip budget. Spoiler alert: it was worth it… but came with some very “Costa Rica” moments.
Booking Blunders & Timing Tips ⏰
First things first—you need to book your tickets online, and only through the official SINAC website. We learned this the night before and quickly snagged a slot for Monday. Feeling pretty proud of ourselves… until we got there and saw the masses. Apparently, the park is closed on Tuesdays, so Mondays are mayhem. Rookie mistake. If we could do it again, we’d go midweek (but not Monday) and definitely avoid weekends too.
Parking Shenanigans 🚗💰
As we drove in, a small army of enthusiastic locals waved us down, directing us into their parking lots like our lives depended on it. Don’t be fooled! Some of these are overpriced traps far from the entrance. We kept our cool, carried on to the official lot right next to the entrance, and paid a much more reasonable $10.
Tip: Get there 30–45 minutes before your entry time—there’s a queue to get in, and yes, they’re sticklers for the time slots.
No Snacks Allowed (Monkeys Will Mug You) 🙈🍌
This is not a drill: do NOT bring snacks into the park. The bag checks are real, and the monkeys? Next-level cheeky. They’ve got snack-radar and zero chill.
Also, no drinks allowed in, which caught us out. We left our water bottles behind (rookie mistake #2), and ended up paying souvenir-shop prices for a bottle of juice. Let’s just say… it stung. There are refill stations inside the park, so bring a flask or empty water bottle and stay hydrated—it gets hot.
Sloths, Scopes & Spotting Crowds 🦥🔭
Inside the park, it felt like a wildlife-themed paparazzi event. Tour guides were everywhere, telescopes at the ready, guiding tour groups from tree to tree. We didn’t book a guide, and honestly? We didn’t need one. You can just follow the guides around (ninja-style), listen in, and see what they’re pointing at. If there’s a sloth in the tree, trust us—you’ll know.
We saw sloths (yay!), iguanas, toucans, wild monkeys, and loads of birds and fish. It was exciting, but also felt a bit… touristy. The trails were crowded, and it lacked the raw magic of the wildlife we’d seen on our own camping adventures. Still, for guaranteed sloth sightings? Manuel Antonio delivers.
Beach Bliss & Monkey Drama 🌊🐒
There are two beaches within the park—both with gorgeous clear water and perfect for a post-hike cool-down. Snorkelling didn’t offer much (murky and a little wavy), but just floating around after sweating it out on the trails was bliss.
The white-faced monkeys were a highlight—equal parts hilarious and slightly terrifying. One literally leapt down from the trees and went straight for someone’s unattended beach bag. A good reminder: never leave your things unattendedunless you want to wrestle a monkey for your lunch.
Final Thoughts: Worth It? Absolutely. Would We Go Again? Maybe… 👣
Manuel Antonio was one of those places that felt a little too polished, a little too packed—but still delivered the iconic Costa Rican wildlife moments we came for. It’s perfect if you want easy access to animals and a beautiful beach in one stop, especially if you don’t have time to explore off the beaten path.
For us, it didn’t top the feeling of finding wildlife in the wild, while camping and exploring at our own pace. But for a final stop before returning the van? It was a wild little farewell.
The Whale Tale!
🧡 Top Tips for Visiting Manuel Antonio with Kids
1. Book through the official SINAC website
Tickets must be booked online, at least 24 hours in advance.
2. Go midweek—NOT Monday or weekends
It’s closed Tuesdays, so Monday is packed. Midweek is quieter.
3. Ignore the parking “helpers”
Head straight to the entrance and park for $10 at the official lot.
4. Bring an empty bottle/flask
No drinks allowed in, but you can refill inside. You’ll need it!
5. Leave snacks at home
They’re banned, and the monkeys will try to steal them.
6. Skip the guide if you're on a budget
Just follow a tour group and eavesdrop. Sloths don’t move fast—they’re easy to spot once someone finds them.
7. Watch your stuff on the beach
Monkeys are cute, but they're also sneaky little bag thieves.
8. Don’t expect a quiet nature escape
It’s beautiful, yes—but it’s also Costa Rica’s most visited park. Go in with the right expectations.
9. Always bring plenty of suncream and a sunhat, Manuel Antonio is a sun trap!
Pura vida, amigos! 🌿🐾
Even with the crowds, curious monkeys, and overpriced drinks, Manuel Antonio gave us a fun, chaotic, and sloth-filled day we won’t forget. If you’re nearby—it’s worth checking out, just maybe bring your patience (and your water bottle)!
Check out the video below to see what we got up-to at Manuel Antonio National Park 👇🏻
