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

Costa Rica · Manuel Antonio

Free or nearly free

Public beaches, walks and sunsets that cost nothing.

7 places

  1. 1

    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

  2. 2

    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)

  3. 3

    NatureOpen

    Sunset from the Manuel Antonio hill

    Quepos-Manuel Antonio road2.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The road between Quepos and the beach runs along a ridge with views of the sea and islands; many bars and hotels have terraces for sunset, and monkeys often cross in the afternoon.

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

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Without a hotel view, sunset from Playa Espadilla is just as good. Many places have happy hour from 16:00 to 18:00 (2026). At night walk with a torch: several stretches have no sidewalks or lighting.

    Nearby: Rainforest night walk (0 km) · Costa Rican cooking class on a farm (0 km) · La Macha Beach (1.3 km)

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

  4. 4

    CultureOpen

    Quepos seafront and town centre

    Central Quepos5.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Quepos is the area’s working town, with the bus terminal, banks and supermarkets; its seafront promenade (Paseo del Mar) links the centre with the marina and is a good sunset spot.

    Source: Wikivoyage – Quepos · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Get there on the local bus that runs every 30 minutes from the beach. Quepos is cheaper than the hill for food and shopping.

    Nearby: Quepos municipal market and farmers’ market (0.3 km) · Catamaran cruise with snorkelling and sunset (0.5 km) · Sport fishing from Quepos (0.5 km)

    Sources: Wikivoyage – Quepos · My Tan Feet – Manuel Antonio with kids (updated July 2026)

  5. 5

    CultureOpen

    Marina Pez Vela

    Southern end of central Quepos5.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A yacht and sport-fishing marina in Quepos with a seafront promenade, shops and restaurants. Catamarans and many charters leave from here.

    Source: Marina Pez Vela – official site · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Next to the marina there is a small park with picnic tables, outdoor gym equipment and a lookout over the bay.

    Nearby: Catamaran cruise with snorkelling and sunset (0 km) · Sport fishing from Quepos (0 km) · Quepos seafront and town centre (0.5 km)

    Sources: Marina Pez Vela – official site · 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

    FoodOpen

    Quepos municipal market and farmers’ market

    Next to the Quepos bus terminal5.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A market next to the bus terminal with cheap sodas and ceviche stalls; at weekends there is a farmers’ market.

    Source: Wikivoyage – Quepos · 2025 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Hours
    Wikivoyage mentions the market on Saturday mornings; we found no updated official schedule.

    Nearby: Quepos seafront and town centre (0.3 km) · Catamaran cruise with snorkelling and sunset (0.8 km) · Sport fishing from Quepos (0.8 km)

    Sources: Wikivoyage – Quepos · Wikivoyage – Manuel Antonio National Park

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