Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio where forest meets the Pacific
Published on 09/24/2026 at 11:34 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio brings tropical forest, Pacific beaches and marine islands into one protected landscape south of Quepos, Costa Rica. Trails cross humid forest before reaching viewpoints, mangroves and beaches, while the park’s history reaches back to its establishment in 1972.
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio between forest and sea
The park occupies the central Pacific coast in Puntarenas Province, south of Quepos. Its terrestrial landscape includes tropical rainforest, beaches, rocky points, mangroves and a lagoon, while the protected marine area extends into the Pacific.
The coast is shaped by several named places. Playa Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur lie beside forested slopes, while Punta Catedral connects the two beaches through a sandy tombolo. The landscape also includes Playa Gemelas, Puerto Escondido and the rocky viewpoint of Punta Serrucho. A Pacific coastal reserve combines beaches, mangroves, a lagoon and offshore islands.
From community pressure to a national park
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio was established in 1972 through Law No. 5100. Its creation followed pressure from the local community, after access to beaches had become contested during plans for tourism development.
The name Quepos recalls the Quepoa community associated with this part of Costa Rica. The park’s protected landscape belongs to the Central Pacific Conservation Area, linking forest, shore and marine habitats within one conservation setting. Its history is therefore connected with both local civic action and national environmental protection.
The park’s present form includes terrestrial and marine areas. The land area is recorded as 683 hectares by Costa Rica’s tourism authority, while the marine section covers a much broader zone of the Pacific. The official park history and landscape describes forest, beaches, mangrove, islands and a fourteen-hectare lagoon.
Wildlife, trails and named coastal viewpoints
Wildlife recorded in the park includes white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, raccoons, coatis, iguanas and many bird species. The squirrel monkey Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus is associated with Manuel Antonio’s Pacific region.
Vegetation changes across the park’s habitats. Mangrove stands border waterways near the beaches, while humid tropical forest covers the slopes and higher ground. The network of trails includes routes towards La Catarata, Punta Serrucho and Punta Catedral, with viewpoints above the coast.
Punta Catedral was once an island before sediment formed a sandy connection with the mainland. Punta Serrucho is a broken, irregular rocky formation associated with the region’s tectonic setting. These named features give the park a physical character that is easier to understand on foot than on a map.
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio also contains archaeological traces associated with a coastal fishing and turtle-catching device known as La Trampa. The feature lies near Playa Manuel Antonio and Punta Catedral, adding a human historical layer to the forest and shoreline.
Visiting Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The park lies south of Quepos in Puntarenas Province. The entrance is east of Quepos, reached by road through the settlement of Manuel Antonio.
- Trails cross humid forest, rocky ground and slopes rising towards viewpoints. The highest viewpoints reach approximately 160 metres above sea level.
- The coast includes Playa Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Playa Gemelas and Puerto Escondido. Mangroves and a fourteen-hectare lagoon form separate wetland habitats.
- The official language is Spanish and the currency is the Costa Rican colón.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Where is Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio?
It is on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, in Puntarenas Province, south of Quepos. The entrance lies east of Quepos near the settlement of Manuel Antonio.
What landscapes can visitors expect?
The park contains humid tropical forest, beaches, mangroves, a lagoon, rocky viewpoints and Pacific marine habitats. Trails connect named places including Punta Catedral, Punta Serrucho and Playa Manuel Antonio.
What makes the park distinctive?
Its protected landscape places forest, beaches, mangroves and offshore islands within one coastal park. It also combines wildlife habitats with a history shaped by community pressure and its establishment in 1972.
