Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most famous destinations and one that appears on almost every itinerary.
But when traveling as a family, the big question is:
Is Manuel Antonio National Park actually worth visiting with kids?
We visited as part of our Costa Rica journey, and while it’s incredibly beautiful, it’s also very different from other national parks we explored.
Here’s what families should realistically expect before visiting
Before we dive in, affiliate disclosure – there are some links throughout this post which will generate us some commission at no extra cost to you but does help support us and the blog. We will only ever recommend things that we actually use.
What Is Manuel Antonio National Park Known For?
Manuel Antonio National Park is famous for:
- abundant wildlife
- easy walking trails
- white-sand beaches – which you’ll see above but I will be transparent, this was a very strategically taken photo.
- jungle-meets-ocean scenery
It’s one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica, but also one of the most visited which is very clear from the moment you arrive.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park Good for Families?
Yes but with expectations set correctly.
Why it works well with kids:
- flat, well-maintained trails
- short walking distances
- frequent wildlife sightings (monkeys, sloths, iguanas)
- beautiful, calm beaches inside the park
For younger children especially, the manageable walking distances make this one of the easiest national parks to visit.
The Reality: Crowds & Timing Matter
Because of its popularity, Manuel Antonio can feel busy especially mid-morning to early afternoon. In comparison to all of the other National Parks we visited in Costa Rica – this one felt the most touristy. Even before entering the park it was evident that this place is now for tourists. On the lead up to the park entrance there are clothing stalls, coconut stalls and more.
We’d recommend:
- arriving early in the morning
- visiting on a weekday if possible
- booking tickets in advance
This makes a huge difference when visiting with children.
Beaches Inside Manuel Antonio National Park
One of the highlights of Manuel Antonio is the beaches located inside the park.
They are:
- stunningly beautiful
- calm for swimming
- surrounded by jungle
This makes it an excellent place to combine wildlife spotting and beach time in one visit. But again, be aware the beaches are extremely busy and you can’t really “relax.”
One of the highlights of our trip here was seeing all the hermit crabs.
👉 What to pack for Manuel Antonio:
- reef-safe sunscreen
- hats and UV protection
- refillable water bottles
- lightweight towels
- sandals or water shoes
These small essentials make the visit far more comfortable.
Wildlife Spotting With Kids
Manuel Antonio is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. You’ll also see monkeys before you even enter the park! These guys get up right close, unphased by people and do try to steal food – so beware!
We saw:
- monkeys overhead
- sloths in the trees
- iguanas along the paths
- hermit crabs on the beach
👉 Optional but helpful:
A small pair of binoculars can make wildlife spotting far more exciting for kids.
How Long Do You Need at Manuel Antonio National Park?
For families, half a day is usually enough.
This allows time for:
- walking the main trails
- wildlife spotting
- beach time
- rest breaks
There is no need to stay all day, it is small and will just become overwhelming with too many tourists.
Where to Stay When Visiting Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is close to:
- Jacó / Los Sueños
- Dominical
We found it worked well as part of a broader Pacific coast itinerary, rather than a long standalone stay.
You can find our recommendations for staying near Jaco here: Where in or near Jaco is ideal for families?
If you’d rather stay in Dominical then you can find our recommendation here: Where to stay in Domincal, Costa Rica – Family Friendly
We did stay in Quepos and did originally plan to stay here for a few days but unfortunately we did have a bad experience with being followed from our property. It was the first time during our whole time in Costa Rica we felt a little unsafe so we moved on swiftly.
Final Verdict: Is Manuel Antonio National Park Worth It With Kids?
Yes Manuel Antonio National Park is worth visiting with kids, especially if:
- you arrive early
- plan for crowds
- combine wildlife spotting with beach time
- are passing by anyway
It’s one of the most accessible and most likely to see wildlife without having to spend hours waiting and searching or diving into a deeper hike which maybe isn’t suitable for your family.
If you’d like to watch our experience in and around Manuel Antonio then you can see it below!
Planning your Costa Rica route?
See how we fit Manuel Antonio into our family itinerary here:
👉 Costa Rica with Kids: A Real Itinerary You Can Copy
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