Manuel Antonio & Jaco Beach - Central Pacific, Costa Rica

Hotels | Tours

Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park

"There is a certain atmosphere that permeates Costa Rica's central Pacific region. It wraps itself around you and frees you from stress and troubles. The Costa Rican salutation of "pura vida", pure life, describes the area perfectly”

The Pacific coast ranges over 500 miles from its northernmost tip to its border with neighboring Panama. This vast extension holds countless beaches and picturesque towns and villages. There are also several protected areas and national parks to visit in the region so prepare yourself for a full itinerary of sights to see.

Jaco beach
This small seaside town is casual and laid-back but bustling when it comes to good hotels, restaurants and tour operators. You will find accommodations for every budget, as well as excellent eateries. Tours running out of the town include horseback riding, fishing and kayaking. An added natural benefit? The surfing waves. Surfers enjoy the town for its surfer-friendly atmosphere as well as the accessibility of several surf spots just minutes away. Further south, you will pass Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Este and Parrita.

Manuel Antonio National Park & Quepos
The Manuel Antonio National Park sits along the Pacific Coast and boasts an estuary, mangroves, a lagoon, beaches and winding paths. All this on 638 hectares of land and 55,000 hectares of protected marine environment. Take a walk through the tropical forest and find mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. One trail leads you to an observation tower with a breathtaking 360° view. Note that the park is closed on Mondays.

The town of Manuel Antonio offers restaurants, lodging and souvenir shops. Aside from the park, there are several activities that you can enjoy in the area. Horseback riding, white water rafting, canopy tours & zip lines and sea kayaking are just a few. Beachcombing is not only a good way to explore the beaches, but it's also inexpensive!

Quepos lies at the foot of a small town hill and the road leading the hill. Along this route, you will find most of hotels in the area and restaurants.

It is important that visitors consider that none of the hotels in the area are beach front, instead, most are located on the hillside offering nice ocean views

What to bring: With the humidity come the mosquitoes. Be sure to bring along insect repellent as well as soothing aloe lotion to relieve the itching. When hitting the trails and forests, be sure to avoid perfume and fragrant shampoos, this only attracts the mosquitoes. As with the other areas in Costa Rica, a hat, sunglasses and sunblock are wise choices. Lightweight cotton clothing, sturdy hiking shoes for trails, a rain poncho and snorkeling equipment are all you should need for this area.

Climate: The temperatures hover in the 80's making it truly tropical. During the rainy season, May through November, the climate gets very humid but lends to the tropical atmosphere and tends to bring the temperatures down.

Paradise Adventure Travel & Tours
Manuel Antonio Adventure Tours
Pacific Travel & Tours

Costa Rica's Central Pacific Overview
Beaches Outside Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio, A Little Slice of Paradise
Jaco Beach: Quick Links to Things to Do