Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 38 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose worth booking?
Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose is a 12-hour experience in Alajuela, Costa Rica, from $154 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 38 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (38)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $154 per person
As one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for visitors. This guided tour from San Jose makes visiting on a time crunch a cinch—your guide takes the guesswork out of deciding w
What you get
- Visits to Crocodile Bridge, scarlet macaw observation place, fruit stand & Jaco Beach look-out point
- Transport by air conditioned vehicle
- Breakfast & Lunch
- National Park entrance fee
- Professional bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (most San Jose area hotels)
About this experience
As one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for visitors. This guided tour from San Jose makes visiting on a time crunch a cinch—your guide takes the guesswork out of deciding which trails are worth the effort, plus helps you spot wildlife along the way. This tour is specifically timed to avoid the crowds, too, helping you have the best possible experience exploring.
What's included
Included
- Visits to Crocodile Bridge, scarlet macaw observation place, fruit stand & Jaco Beach look-out point
- Transport by air conditioned vehicle
- Breakfast & Lunch
- National Park entrance fee
- Professional bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (most San Jose area hotels)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Services not specified
What you'll see and do
Orotina
Discover Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the main touristic destinations of Costa Rica. You will be picked up from your San Jose Hotel in the morning in an air-conditioned vehicle, and then you will enjoy a scenic drive towards the Central Pacific Region of the country. On the way to Manuel Antonio, you will savor a delicious Costa Rican breakfast; and you will also have the chance to stop at the largest fruit stand of the country, where you can learn about the huge variety of tropical fruits of Costa Rica.
45 minutes here
Following you will make a stop at the famous crocodile bridge, where you will be able to observe crocodiles in the wild from a safe viewing point, some of the animals observed here are as big as 6 meters long (18 feet).
15 minutes here
A few minutes later you will make a brief stop at Tarcoles Beach, where you will have the chance to observe scarlet macaws in their natural habitat.
15 minutes here
Mirador de Jaco
Continue your trip with a visit to the Jaco Beach look-out point, from where you can get great views of the most popular coastal town of Costa Rica.
15 minutes here
Manuel Antonio National Park
Following, go on a one-hour nature hike at Manuel Antonio National Park and learn about the Rainforests Ecosystems of Costa Rica. Be on the look-out for wild species of fauna such as howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, sloths, toucans, agoutis, tropical birds, and the cutest mammal of Costa Rica, the squirrel monkey. After your hike, you will have a few free hours to relax at the beautiful beaches of the national park, or go for a swim in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. If you are not so much of a beach person, you can continue hiking on your own in the numerous trails of Manuel Antonio National Park, where beautiful landscapes and wildlife can be observed.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Later in the early afternoon hours, savor a delicious Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located at high elevation, where great views of the ocean and the jungles of the national park can be observed. After this final stop you will be taken back to your hotel in the San Jose area.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Alajuela
Centrally located San Jose hotels. The default tour time is 6:00 a.m., but the tour operator will confirm the exact pickup time & meeting point after booking. Automated booking platform emails may mention the default time, but the operator’s confirmation will be the official schedule.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Centrally located San Jose hotels. The default tour time is 6:00 a.m., but the tour operator will confirm the exact pickup time & meeting point after booking. Automated booking platform emails may mention the default time, but the operator’s confirmation will be the official schedule.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Go Tours Costa Rica
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age to participate is 5 years
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- The total tour duration includes the travel time, breakfast and lunch
- Drop off at Manuel Antonio-Quepos centrally located hotels are available
- The National Park authorities do not allow plastic water bottles; please bring reusable bottles
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 38 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
38 verified traveler reviews for Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
10/10! Sergio was an...
10/10! Sergio was an amazing tour guide and so so kind! Everything we ate was amazing as well. I would 100% recommend this tour
via Viator
It was such a great...
It was such a great experience! Our guide “Oxani” I hope I spelled that right, she was so great. Very very knowledgeable of the park and the surrounding areas we traveled through. Very knowledgeable of the conservation efforts that Costa Rica has. We asked her all kinds of questions and she answered each one. The other couple we were with was great too. The views at the resort were amazing! Thank you again!!
Response from the operator: We appreciate hearing about your experience with the Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose. Thank you for taking the time to recognize Oaxany’s work. She will be thrilled to know that her knowledge about the national park, Costa Rica’s conservation efforts, and the surrounding areas helped make your trip so memorable. We’re also glad you enjoyed the beautiful views and had such a pleasant day with your fellow travelers. We can’t wait to guide you on your next trip to Costa Rica!
via Viator
A challenge for seniors
More walking in preserve and less time for the beach than expected. Meals were good but portions a bit too large for seniors. As senior citizens ourselves it was a challenge but worth the effort. Guide and driver served well.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your honest feedback about the Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose. We truly appreciate you taking the time to describe your experience, especially from a senior traveler’s perspective. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most iconic Costa Rica destinations, known for its rich wildlife, tropical rainforest trails, and stunning coastal views. The walking portions of the preserve allow guests to fully enjoy the natural beauty and observe monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife in their natural habitat, which many travelers consider a highlight of their Costa Rica tour. We’re glad to hear that, despite the physical challenge, the experience felt worthwhile. We are also pleased that you enjoyed the meals and felt well taken care of by our professional guide and driver. Providing attentive service and safe, well-organized Costa Rica sightseeing tours is always a top priority for us. Thank you for choosing this Manuel Antonio National Park tour, and we hope to welcome you again for another memorable Costa Rica travel experience suited to your interests and comfort.
via Viator
Adorable sloths
Kenny or Kenneth was our driver and guide for the day. Very friendly and informative. I will say the animals are wild so they’re not everywhere all at once. Your guide will help you find all the adorable sloths monkeys and more. We saw a couple sloths, a coatimundis, a couple species of monkey, a tiny frog, lizards and a crab. The beach was meh… we have cleaner Beaches in Hawaii but I’m sure Costa Rica has way more to offer than that beach. The water was warm. The bathrooms are a little small but I recommend using the one closest to the souvenir shop since they have showers too. Breakfast and lunch was great! I had the fish and it comes with a beautiful view of the ocean ! The park is a tiny bit over rated but I did enjoy myself for sure. We also saw some macaws! So beautiful… sadly the crocodile bridge was getting worked on and there were no crocs in site when we drove over… we had some mean traffic coming back so prepare for that . Started the day at about 5:20am and ended at about 8:20pm. I will say this drive was comfortable because it was just 4 of us. We had more room than we needed. Thank you so much to Kenny can for picking us up and dropping us off even though it wasn’t in the area they normally do that in. Lots of driving but worth it if you don’t want to drive on your own.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your detailed review of the Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose. We are thrilled to hear that Kenny made your day comfortable, enjoyable, and full of helpful insights while guiding you through Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife. Seeing sloths, monkeys, macaws, and other creatures in their natural habitat is one of the highlights of Costa Rica tourism, and we’re delighted that your tour allowed you to connect with so many adorable animals while learning about the ecosystem. From fresh, delicious meals with ocean views to a smooth and spacious ride, this day trip is designed to provide a stress-free way to explore Manuel Antonio and its surroundings from San Jose. We would be delighted to assist you with your next Costa Rica travel plans!
via Tripadvisor
Fraud! Fraud!
We were not given a clear time for pick up and missed the time. The tour operator did not let us join at the next meeting point or the park itself (at our cost). They did not even give us the park entrance tickets that were included in our package. Completely uncooperative and looking for opportunities to steal your money.
Response from the operator: The way you have described the situation is entirely inaccurate, and we have written evidence to support this. A few hours after you made your booking on Viator, we sent you a message confirming the pickup time for your tour. You acknowledged receiving the message by responding with the information we requested. This confirms that you not only received the message but also read it, which included the confirmed pickup time. It is unfair to hold us responsible for your mistake when you showed up 50 minutes late for your tour. Regarding your comments about our lack of assistance in helping you join the tour after your late arrival, it is convenient for you to focus on your side of the story while omitting key details. You neglected to mention in your review that, when informed you were 50 minutes late, you responded by verbally abusing our representative in a highly vulgar and disrespectful manner. Such behavior is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate it from you or anyone else. We also have written evidence of this interaction. Under normal circumstances, we would assist late arrivals by setting a new meeting point, but given your disrespectful conduct, we determined that this situation was a clear "no-show".
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Price range
- $154 to $169
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Alajuela.
How much does Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose cost?
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Prices start at $154 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Alajuela usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Alajuela is not rushed.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 38 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Alajuela, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 12-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Alajuela can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Alajuela and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Alajuela within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Alajuela?
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On Outty we rank every Alajuela experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner, Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Alajuela?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Alajuela?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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