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Sandy beach beside the sea and a wooded headland in Manuel Antonio.

Costa Rica · Manuel Antonio

Beaches of Manuel Antonio and Quepos

Inside the park the water is calmer; outside, beaches are free but have bigger surf.

7 places

  1. Manuel Antonio Beach1

    Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC0

    BeachOpen

    Manuel Antonio Beach

    Inside Manuel Antonio National Park1.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the park ticket
    Hours
    7:00–15:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    The park’s main beach: a pale-sand crescent with calm water. SINAC recommends it for snorkelling at the sides, where there are fish and some coral.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Included in the park ticket: $18.08 for non-resident adults and $5.65 for children 2 to 12, VAT included (SINAC).
    Hours
    Wednesday to Monday; closed on Tuesdays. SINAC lists 7:00–15:00; a July 2026 guide says beaches close at 15:00 and everyone must be out by 16:00.

    Tip: There are toilets, showers and changing rooms nearby. White-faced monkeys and raccoons open bags: keep food out of sight and do not sit under the toxic manchineel trees.

    Nearby: Pre-Columbian fish trap (La Trampa) (0.1 km) · Espadilla Sur mangrove and lookout tower (0.3 km) · Espadilla Sur Beach (0.3 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio National Park guide (updated July 2026) · Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio National Park

  2. Espadilla Sur Beach2

    Photo: Rodtico21, CC BY-SA 4.0

    BeachOpen

    Espadilla Sur Beach

    Inside Manuel Antonio National Park1.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the park ticket
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A long beach on the north side of the tombolo, very wide at low tide and less crowded than Playa Manuel Antonio. From here you see Playa Espadilla and the hillsides with hotels.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Included in the park ticket: $18.08 for non-resident adults and $5.65 for children 2 to 12, VAT included (SINAC).

    Tip: SINAC warns that surf is somewhat strong at some times of year: take care in the water. There is another toilet block on this beach.

    Nearby: Espadilla Sur mangrove and lookout tower (0.1 km) · Manuel Antonio Beach (0.3 km) · Sendero Perezoso (universal access trail) (0.4 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio National Park guide (updated July 2026)

  3. Playa Gemelas and Puerto Escondido viewpoint3

    Photo: Axxis10, CC BY-SA 4.0

    BeachOpen

    Playa Gemelas and Puerto Escondido viewpoint

    Inside Manuel Antonio National Park1.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the park ticket
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small beach split in two by a rock formation, with the same pale sand as Manuel Antonio but fewer people. The trail continues to a viewpoint over Playa Puerto Escondido.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Included in the park ticket: $18.08 for non-resident adults and $5.65 for children 2 to 12, VAT included (SINAC).

    Tip: One guide flags rip currents at Gemelas: stay close to shore. From here the Los Congos path links to the Mirador trail.

    Nearby: Puerto Escondido Beach (0.6 km) · Sendero Perezoso (universal access trail) (0.6 km) · Manuel Antonio Beach (0.7 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio National Park guide (updated July 2026)

  4. 4

    BeachOpen

    Espadilla Beach

    In front of the last stop of the Quepos-Manuel Antonio bus1.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not needed

    The long public beach by Manuel Antonio village, outside the park and free to enter. It has chair, umbrella and board rentals, restaurants and sunset views.

    Source: My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (updated July 2026) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Booking
    The public beach needs no ticket. Espadilla Sur is inside the park and does.

    Tip: Waves are bigger than inside the park and currents can be strong: do not leave children alone in the water and swim where there are flags or lifeguards.

    Nearby: Parasailing at Espadilla Beach (0.3 km) · Surf lessons at Espadilla Beach (0.3 km) · Manuel Antonio National Park (1 km)

    Sources: My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (updated July 2026) · Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio National Park · SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

  5. 5

    BeachOpen

    Biesanz Beach

    Below the Manuel Antonio hill, between Quepos and Playa Espadilla3.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small, sheltered bay between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, reached on foot by a rocky path from the hill. It is the snorkel stop for catamarans and kayak tours.

    Source: My Tan Feet – Things to do in Manuel Antonio (updated July 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Go at low tide (at high tide little beach is left) and wear water shoes for the rocks. It fills up at Easter and on holidays; snorkel visibility varies a lot.

    Nearby: Sea kayaking and snorkelling to Biesanz Beach (0 km) · Punta Quepos trail (0.5 km) · Playitas Beach (0.6 km)

    Sources: My Tan Feet – Things to do in Manuel Antonio (updated July 2026) · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (updated July 2026)

  6. 6

    BeachOpen

    Playitas Beach

    Northern end of Playa Espadilla3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small cove at the northern end of Playa Espadilla, outside the park and free to visit.

    Source: Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio · 2023 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Biesanz Beach (0.6 km) · Sea kayaking and snorkelling to Biesanz Beach (0.6 km) · Punta Quepos trail (0.9 km)

    Sources: Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio · OpenStreetMap – Playa Playitas

  7. 7

    BeachOpen

    La Macha Beach

    Coast between Quepos and the Manuel Antonio hill4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A small beach on the coast between Quepos and Manuel Antonio, reached by a local road named after it. Little visitor information is published.

    Source: OpenStreetMap – Playa Macha · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: We found no verified information on surf or facilities: ask at your hotel before swimming.

    Nearby: Catamaran cruise with snorkelling and sunset (1.3 km) · Sport fishing from Quepos (1.3 km) · Marina Pez Vela (1.3 km)

    Sources: OpenStreetMap – Playa Macha · OpenStreetMap – Calle Playa La Macha

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