So you`ve booked your trip to Costa Rica and you plan to visit Manuel Antonio. Wahoo! In this awesomesauce article, we will share with you the top 5 things you must do in Manuel Antonio!
Included you will find our favorite things to do for adventure, relaxation and where to eat!
Also, before I get into it, I just want to say that Manuel Antonio is awesome and if you haven`t been here before, you really need to get on it! Alright, here we go…
1. Do the 10 in 1 Tour at ADR Adventure Park!
You literally get to do 10 different activities in the rainforest. It`s awesome and should not be missed!
Fernando and I have done tons of tours all over Costa Rica, and we both think that the 10 in 1 is by far the most well done, complete and fun tour there is! By well done, I mean it`s not just the activities that you are doing are fun, it`s that from the moment you get picked up till the moment you get dropped off, the tour guides have you entertained the entire time teaching you about the area, the flora and fauna, cracking jokes, etc….it`s just a super fun day! It`s a full day tour so they also feed you breakfast and lunch (and snacks in-between).
After you have breakfast at their “base camp” I like to call it…you get to hop into this crazy 4×4 safari truck and be taken deep into the primary rainforest. Honestly, just this ride alone is like a tour in itself. Then once you`re in the rainforest, the adventure begins!
There`s zip lines, waterfall rappels, tarzan swings, free falling into a river pool, jumping from waterfalls, canyoning, etc.
It`s like a giant obstacle course through the rainforest where you feel like you`re some kind of awesome jungle olympic athlete (but really anyone can do it). It`s awesome- I just can`t say it enough!
2. Go on a Catamaran!
- For real though, who doesn`t love an awesome catamaran ride?!In Manuel Antonio, there`s several different catamaran tours, but the most kick ass one is the Ocean King. This catamaran has 2 trampolines, 2 slides, 2 spash pools, an upper deck to jump off of or sunbathe and includes transportation, drinks, lunch and snacks.
Also, you have a really good chance of seeing dolphins or whales swimming in the wild, maybe even alongside the boat like we did!
Another fun thing about this catamaran is that you get a couple hours to go down the slides, jump off the upper deck (super high and fun!) or go snorkeling!
3. Chill at Playa Biesanz
This beach is in a bay, so the water is usually very calm making it a great swimming beach. Also, there`s beach chairs & umbrellas, kayaks, SUPs and snorkel gear for rent and even guys selling beer & cocktails.
Travel Tips:
- If you are up for some exercise, you can also hike between Playa Biesanz and Playa Espadilla (the main beach in Manuel Antonio)…it only takes about 40 minutes! Otherwise just drive there or take a taxi and then it`s just a 5 minute walk through the jungle to get to this hidden gem.
- After the beach, you can go to Shana Hotel (just a couple minutes walk from the entrance of Biesanz) and swim in their beautiful pool if you consume something at the restaurant or pool bar. And then if you`re too tired to walk home, just ask the reception desk to call you a taxi!
4. Take a Guided Wildlife Tour
People always ask me “Do I really need a guide?” …and the answer is simple- YES!
If you want to see a variety of wildlife, there is no better way to do it than with a guide. If you go by yourself, you will see the same animals you would see just walking around town or hanging out at the beach (maybe some monkeys, some birds, an iguana or two). With a guide you will see about 90% more wildlife guaranteed.
Where to go?
Of course there is the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, but we actually have found a tour that we like even better (less people, more nature) and consider it to be the best wildlife tour in Costa Rica. We even have the hookup to get you a discount on this tour, just simply fill out the form below…
5. Sunset Dinner at Ronny’s Place
It all starts with passion
Located in the middle of a 90 acres farm, where restaurant is the only building, you can find Restaurante y Mirador Mi Lugar (Ronny´s Place), a beautiful “rancho” at farm´s highest mountain peak, allowing for a magnificent view of a 2 bay private beach and horizon.
Our privileged location, make us the only restaurant in town where you can see the sunset 365 days a year.
Perfect place for rehearsal dinner parties, romantic sunset dinners, birthday parties and any special event where a beautiful sunset will be appropriate.
After many years of working for one of the area´s best hotels, Mr. Ronny Alpizar decided to start his own business.
In 2003 he starts “Mi Lugar” Restaurant with the idea of quality and best service in mind, “Mi Lugar” means “My place” so because of the owner´s name: “Ronny” people started to name the restaurant “Ronny´s Place”
Our location
5 Things You Must Do in Manuel Antonio Recap:
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Do the 10 in 1 Tour at ADR Adventure Park
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Go on a Catamaran
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Chill at Playa Biesanz
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Take a Guided Wildlife Tour
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Sunset Dinner at Ronny’s Place
Have you done any of these activities? Comment below if you`d like to share your experience, or if you have anything you think should be added to the list!
If you need help filling in the details of your trip, check out our travel planning services and / or stay with us!
