🏝️ Manuel Antonio National Park – Family Travel, Wildlife & Kid-Friendly Adventure
Madness, Monkey Mischief & Sloth-Spotting🐒🌴
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s must-visit destinations for families traveling with kids. From jungle trails filled with monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds to pristine beaches perfect for a family cool-down, it’s an ideal mix of wildlife, adventure, and kid-friendly exploration.
We couldn’t resist this iconic stop before returning our camper van, and yes—chaos, monkeys, and a little FOMO were part of the fun.
Booking Blunders & Timing Tips ⏰
Tickets must be booked online through the official SINAC website. We snagged ours the night before (rookie move!) and quickly learned Mondays are busy, weekends are worse, and the park is closed Tuesdays. Midweek is your best bet for less crowded family adventures.
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.
Monkeys, Snacks & Hydration 🙈🍌💧
No snacks or drinks allowed inside; monkeys are expert thieves.
Bring an empty water bottle or flask—refill stations are available.
Keep a close eye on your belongings, especially on the beaches where monkeys are cheeky!
Spotting Wildlife & Hiking Trails 🦥🔭
Inside Manuel Antonio National Park, it felt like a wildlife paparazzi event for families traveling with kids. Guides with telescopes led groups from tree to tree, pointing out sloths, monkeys, and toucans. We didn’t book a guide and didn’t need one—just follow along, listen in, and spot the amazing Costa Rica wildlife for yourself.
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 Park delivers.
Spotting sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park with kids
Beach Bliss & Monkey Drama 🌊🐒
There are two beaches within the park—both with gorgeous clear water and perfect for a post-hike cool-down on a family adventure day. 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 unattended unless you want to wrestle a monkey for your lunch.
Watching monkeys on Manuel Antonio beach with kids
🧡 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 Park 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)!
Final Thoughts: Worth It? Absolutely. Would We Go Again? Maybe… 👣
Manuel Antonio delivers the classic Costa Rica wildlife experience in one accessible location—perfect for family travel with kids, even if a bit touristy. If you want guaranteed sloth sightings, it won’t disappoint.
Even with the crowds, cheeky monkeys, and overpriced souvenirs, we loved this wild, fun-filled, kid-friendly adventure.
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.
Video Recap: Check out the video below to see our Manuel Antonio adventures in action—monkeys, sloths, beaches, and plenty of family fun! 👇
Watch our family adventures Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica
Want to see more of our Costa Rica adventures?
Read more about our family travel experiences in Costa Rica, including an amazing camping trip along the Pacific coastline, wildlife encounters, and kid-friendly adventures perfect for families traveling with kids.
📍 Where Are We Now?
We’re currently exploring Southeast Asia, diving into new cultures, beaches, and family travel adventures. Catch up on our latest journey here for more tips on traveling with kids, worldschooling, and family adventures!
