Cornerstone Guide #10 · Destination Itinerary
7 min read · Verified Oct 2026
Manuel Antonio & Quepos Getaway: A 3- to 4-Night Beach, Wildlife & Catamaran Escape
Manuel Antonio pairs effortless monkey and sloth sightings with white-sand coves and Marina Pez Vela sails. Learn the park entry rules and day-by-day pacing.
Key Planning Takeaways
- Crucial Rule: Manuel Antonio National Park is CLOSED every Tuesday, bans single-use plastics and outside food, and requires advance timed-entry tickets on the official SINAC portal.
- Pair one morning inside the national park with an afternoon or next-day Sea Quest Catamaran Cruise ($95) from Marina Pez Vela.
- Add a half-day excursion to Damas Island Mangroves or a full-day trip south to Nauyaca Waterfalls ($155).
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How to Beat the Crowds in Manuel Antonio
<p>Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's smallest—and most visited—national park for good reason: white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and both two- and three-toed sloths live right above the white-sand beaches of Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur. To enjoy it without stress, book a <strong>7:00 AM entry slot (Wednesday through Monday)</strong> with a certified naturalist carrying a telescope, then spend the midday heat relaxing by your hillside hotel pool or sailing out of Marina Pez Vela.</p>
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