
Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 838 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose worth booking?
Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose is a 12-hour experience in Alajuela, Costa Rica, from $169 per person. It scores 90 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 838 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 90 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (838)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $169 per person
Explore the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park on this full day tour from San Jose. Enjoy some of the most beautiful white sand beaches of Costa Rica and discover the abundant wildlife at the rainforest trails of the park, like monkeys, sloths, agoutis, iguanas, exotic birds and others. Stop on the way to Manuel Antonio at the crocodile bridge; at the town of Tarcoles to search for scarlet macaws in their natural habitat; and at the Jaco Beach look-out point to explore a little of the most popular beach town of Costa Rica.
What you get
About this experience
Explore the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park on this full day tour from San Jose. Enjoy some of the most beautiful white sand beaches of Costa Rica and discover the abundant wildlife at the rainforest trails of the park, like monkeys, sloths, agoutis, iguanas, exotic birds and others. Stop on the way to Manuel Antonio at the crocodile bridge; at the town of Tarcoles to search for scarlet macaws in their natural habitat; and at the Jaco Beach look-out point to explore a little of the most popular beach town of Costa Rica.
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
Continue your trip and stop at the famous crocodile bridge, where you will have the chance to observe many crocodiles in their natural habitat from a safe viewing point, some of the animals observed here are as big as 6 meters long (18 feet).
15 minutes here
Following you will make a stop at Tarcoles Beach, where scarlet macaws are normally observed in their natural habitat.
15 minutes here
Mirador de Jaco
Afterward, visit 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
Continue your tour with one hour-guided hike at Manuel Antonio National Park and learn about the huge biodiversity of the Rainforests of Costa Rica. Be on the look-out for wildlife species such as howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, sloths, toucans, agoutis, tropical birds, and the cutest mammal of Costa Rica, the squirrel monkey. At the end of your hike, you will have a few free hours to swim in the warm waters of the Manuel Antonio Beaches and feel in real contact with nature. If you prefer, you can continue hiking in the numerous nature trails of this national park.
180 minutes here · Admission included
Later on the early afternoon hours, savor a delicious Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant with great views of the ocean and the jungles of the national park. 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 838 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
838 verified traveler reviews for Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour
We enjoyed Osa's tour very much, she is very professional and with her, we were able to see sloths, special crabs, etc. Enjoyed it very much!
via Viator
100/10 experience
If you go with Alex, you will have the best time doing this tour. He is great at explaining every detail of the park. Thanks to his patience and hearing expertise we were available to see al lot of diversity.
via Tripadvisor
Alex tour guide 100% recommended
Very knowledgeable tour guide that cares about you at all times. Clear instructions throughout the day. Makes several stops during the tour
via Tripadvisor
Would've loved more time at the beach, but overall excellent day!
Great day! We were the only group booked on this tour for the day, but Fernando made sure to give us lots of information about the provinces of Costa Rica and about Central America as a whole. Manuel Antonio NP was beautiful, where we got to see monkeys playing in the trees and several types of plants. Fernando gave us a ~25 minute tour (walk) from the entrance of the park to the beach, where he then left us for a few hours. The water was incredibly warm and the sun was strong! We easily could've stayed another 3 hours. Lunch was served on the roof of a local hotel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
via Tripadvisor
It was a great experience...
It was a great experience …we started on time and we had a fun time with Sergio. We would definitely book tours with this company again!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted you enjoyed the Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose and had a fun experience. We’re happy our punctual service made your Costa Rica adventure memorable. We would love to support you on your next journey to Costa Rica!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Thu, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 293
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Who runs this experience
Operated by Go Tours Costa Rica, who run 8 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 82.7 and 3 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Go Tours Costa Rica runsWhy this scores 90
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour 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 Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose cost?
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Prices start at $169 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 Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour 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 Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 90 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 838 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Alajuela, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour 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 Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose?
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Around 293 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 Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour 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, Coffee Plantation-Poás Volcano N.P-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Park. 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.
What is included in Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose?
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Included: Visits to Crocodile Bridge, scarlet macaw observation place, fruit stand & Jaco Beach look; Transport by air conditioned vehicle; Breakfast & Lunch; National Park entrance fee; and Professional bilingual guide. Not included: Gratuities; and Services not specified. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 73 listed pickup locations in and around Alajuela. Be ready about 45 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Alajuela. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Manuel Antonio National Park Sightseeing and Wildlife Day Tour from San Jose?
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Across 838 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, organization. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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