Weather in Manuel Antonio

About Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio combines jungle and beach in one small area—a national park where monkeys swing overhead while you swim in the Pacific. Three sandy coves offer postcard-perfect beach scenery, surrounded by rainforest trails. The town itself is touristy but vibrant, with restaurants serving fresh seafood and adventure outfitters organizing jungle tours.

Country

Costa Rica

Best months to visit

February

Currency

CRC

Language

Spanish, English

Things to do in Manuel Antonio

Rainforest hiking with monkey and wildlife spotting Beach swimming at park coves Snorkeling offshore reefs Zip-lining through jungle canopy Wildlife spotting tours for sloths and monkeys Local seafood and fresh fish restaurant dining

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

28C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

Recommended

February

29C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

March

30C

Hot and humid, with some rainy days.

April

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

May

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

June

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

July

27C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

September

28C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

October

27C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

November

27C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

December

27C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

Manuel Antonio packs an outsized amount of nature into Costa Rica's smallest national park, where white-sand beaches meet rainforest trails alive with sloths, monkeys and toucans, often visible just metres from the path. The surrounding town has grown into a lively hub of hotels and restaurants perched on a hillside with sweeping Pacific views.

Best areas to stay in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park

The small but biodiverse park with beaches, trails and abundant wildlife, the area's main draw.

Quepos

The nearby working town with the airport, ferry dock and a more local feel.

El Avión / Hillside hotels

The road between Quepos and the park lined with hotels offering ocean-view restaurants and ziplining.

Playa Espadilla

The main beach just outside the park entrance, popular for swimming and sunset views.

Getting to Manuel Antonio

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Flights

Quepos has a small domestic airport with flights from San José (about 25 minutes); most visitors drive 3-3.5 hours from San José.

⏱

From London

~25 minutes by air or ~3.5 hours by road from San José.

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Getting around

Taxis and shuttle buses connect Quepos, the hillside hotels and the park entrance.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Manuel Antonio?

December to April is the dry season and most popular; the park is closed on Mondays year-round.

Do I need a guide for the national park?

Not required, but guides are skilled at spotting sloths, monkeys and other wildlife that's easy to miss on your own.

Is the park busy?

Yes — it's one of Costa Rica's most visited parks, so arriving early in the morning helps avoid both crowds and heat.

What wildlife might I see?

White-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, agoutis and a wide variety of birds are commonly spotted along the park's trails.

Is Manuel Antonio good for families?

Yes — the combination of accessible trails, beaches and wildlife makes it one of Costa Rica's most family-friendly destinations.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Saw multiple sloths and a troop of capuchin monkeys within the first hour of the trail — incredible how much wildlife is packed into such a small park.

Bianca R. · February 2024

★★★★☆

Stayed on the hillside between Quepos and the park — sunset views over the rainforest and ocean from the restaurant were spectacular.

Joaquin T. · August 2023

★★★★☆

Arrived right at opening time and the trails were peaceful, but by midday it had filled up considerably — worth the early start.

Lena W. · March 2024