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

Costa Rica · Manuel Antonio

Closed, restricted or seasonal

What you can’t do or only works in certain seasons, and what to do instead.

5 places2 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    NatureClosed or prohibited

    Camping or staying overnight in the park

    Inside Manuel Antonio National Park0.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Camping is not allowed inside Manuel Antonio National Park, and the park closes in mid-afternoon.

    It is prohibited to protect a small, heavily visited park. To see nocturnal wildlife, take a guided night walk in a nearby private reserve or the night boat tour at Isla Damas.

    Source: Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio National Park · 2026 · +1

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Manuel Antonio National Park (0 km) · Waterfall trail (La Catarata) (0.4 km) · Parasailing at Espadilla Beach (0.7 km)

    Sources: Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio National Park · SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

  2. 2

    BeachRestricted access

    Puerto Escondido Beach

    Inside Manuel Antonio National Park1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A beach at the park’s eastern end that today is seen from a viewpoint at the end of the Playa Gemelas trail.

    Sources disagree: SINAC does not list it among visitable attractions, a 2026 guide shows the trail ending at a viewpoint above it, and Wikivoyage says it lies outside the park and is free. There is no signed public access: view it from the lookout and swim at Gemelas or Manuel Antonio instead; do not leave the marked trails.

    Source: My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio National Park guide (updated July 2026) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Mirador trail (Punta Serrucho) (0.2 km) · Playa Gemelas and Puerto Escondido viewpoint (0.6 km) · Sendero Perezoso (universal access trail) (0.8 km)

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

  3. 3

    NatureSeasonal

    Waterfall trail (La Catarata)

    Inside Manuel Antonio National Park0.5 km from the centre

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

    A short, mostly concrete trail with a bridge leading to a small waterfall near the entrance. Frogs, monkeys and sloths are often seen along the way.

    SINAC says the waterfall is only visible in the rainy season (May to November); in the dry season the trail stays open but without falling water. Ask at the entrance.

    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).
    Time needed
    600 m each way (1.2 km round trip).

    Nearby: Manuel Antonio National Park (0.4 km) · Camping or staying overnight in the park (0.4 km) · Sendero Perezoso (universal access trail) (0.9 km)

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

  4. 4

    AdventureSeasonal

    Rafting on the Naranjo River

    Naranjo River, east of Quepos13.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $95
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A half-day run with Class III-IV rapids, the area’s most demanding river in the rainy season, about 40 minutes from Manuel Antonio.

    Only with rainy-season flows: one operator sells it May to October, other sources May to December. In the dry season do the Savegre (all year) or El Chorro (January to April, experts only).

    Source: Iguana Tours – Naranjo River rafting · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $95 per person with transport, taxes included (one operator, 2026).
    Time needed
    About 4 hours; around 1 h 45 min on the river.

    Tip: Minimum age 10 to 12 depending on the operator; requires good fitness.

    Nearby: Extreme rafting at El Chorro (Naranjo River) (0 km) · Villa Vanilla spice, vanilla and cacao farm tour (0.7 km) · Horseback ride to the Tocorí waterfalls (3.9 km)

    Sources: Iguana Tours – Naranjo River rafting · H2O Adventures – Rafting in Manuel Antonio · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (updated July 2026) · My Tan Feet – Things to do in Manuel Antonio (updated July 2026)

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  5. 5

    AdventureSeasonal

    Extreme rafting at El Chorro (Naranjo River)

    Upper Naranjo River, east of Quepos13.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    An upper stretch of the Naranjo River through narrow gorges with Class IV (sometimes V) rapids. Only for very fit people.

    Offered only from January to April, when flows drop. Minimum age 16 according to one guide. Outside that window, do the regular Naranjo (rainy season) or the Savegre.

    Source: H2O Adventures – Rafting in Manuel Antonio · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    About 4 hours in total.

    Nearby: Rafting on the Naranjo River (0 km) · Villa Vanilla spice, vanilla and cacao farm tour (0.7 km) · Horseback ride to the Tocorí waterfalls (3.9 km)

    Sources: H2O Adventures – Rafting in Manuel Antonio · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (updated July 2026) · My Tan Feet – Things to do in Manuel Antonio (updated July 2026) · Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio

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