This post shares information about the animals in Manuel Antonio National Park, with tips to maximise your chances of spotting a variety of wildlife inside the park!
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About Manuel Antonio National Park
Sitting on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio National Park is the country’s smallest, but most popular national park.
At just 16 km² (6 mi²), this small area is a surprisingly wonderful place to see wildlife. The park also boasts some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, and miles of jungle trails – what’s not to love?
I’ve got a complete visitor’s guide to Manuel Antonio National Park to help plan your visit, covering all the complexities of buying your ticket, choosing your time slot, going solo or with a guide plus a ton of other helpful information. I’ve also got posts covering each of the 11 hiking trails in more detail and the Manuel Antonio beaches, both in and out of the park.
But in this post, I want to focus on the animals in Manuel Antonio National Park. You might spend some time on the beaches, and you’ll definitely be hitting the trails… but for most visitors, myself included, the reason for your visit is to see as much wildlife as possible.
Animals in Manuel Antonio National Park
Despite being very popular and at times overcrowded, no one can deny that Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s premier wildlife-watching destinations.
There are so many animals in Manuel Antonio National Park. It really is brimming with creatures big and small, and it’s one of the best places in the whole country to spot some of Costa Rica’s famous wildlife, including some big ticks off your animal bucket list.
It’s important to remind yourself that the animals in Manuel Antonio National Park are wild and there is no guarantee of seeing any wildlife at all.
Given the intense biodiversity in this small area, it’s unlikely this would happen. But you can’t make them appear, and even if you have your heart set on seeing a sloth, for example, it may not happen.
But we always think you should go in with positive vibes and a hope to see as much wildlife as possible! In this post, we will share a list of common animals in Manuel Antonio National Park, to get you excited and prepared for a day of wildlife spotting. I’ll also share some of the trails each species is commonly spotted on.
This list is not exhaustive, it’s designed to give you an idea of some of the popular wildlife you might spot inside the park. It can also help to know what animals you are unlikely to see here, so you can plan trips to other national parks around the country if you do have a Costa Rica wildlife bucket list!
Monkeys
Manuel Antonio National Park houses three out of the four monkey species found in Costa Rica. You won’t see spider monkeys here, they are best spotted at Corcovado National Park.
Capuchin (white-faced) monkeys
👀 Where to see them – all over the park, on the beaches
These cheeky guys are one of the most commonly seen animals in Manuel Antonio National Park. They are often found in groups, running amuck, searching for food or trying to steal bags from tourists. They are brazen and confident, not as cute as they look, but very fun to watch. You’re likely to spot big troops of capuchin monkeys all around Manuel Antonio town, and probably at your accommodation too.
Howler monkeys
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Puerto Escondido Trail, Los Congos Trail
You’re likely to hear them before you see them, the howler monkeys can be heard crying their chilling howl all over the park. If you’ve never heard a howler monkey before, brace yourself! Their sounds are unbelievable. They’re not as confident or energetic as the capuchin monkeys, but keep an eye on the trees, and you’ve got a good chance of spotting them. They are much larger, and most are dark brown or black in colour.
Squirrel monkeys
👀 Where to see them – rare to see, Manglar Trail, Sloth Trail, Puerto Escondido Trail
One of the rarest and hardest monkeys to see in Central America, the squirrel monkeys are tiny! They are usually found in big groups too. We actually didn’t see any inside the park, which I was quite upset about, but as we were driving out, just a few minutes up the road, a whole group ran out on the powerlines above us and we were able to quickly pull over and have a look. We were also told that the jungle reserve onsite at the Teva Jungle Hostel is a great place to see them if you miss out inside the park.
Other mammals
Many of the most sought-after mammals to spot in Costa Rica can be found inside Manuel Antonio National Park. Living high in the trees, and on the forest floor, these cute creatures can be found on many of the trails.
Sloths
👀 Where to see them – Sloth Trail, Manglar Trail, Playa Manuel Antonio Trail
Manuel Antonio is a great place to see sloths. Both the 2 and 3-toed species can be found inside the park. However, sloths are some of the hardest animals in Manuel Antonio National Park to spot without a guide. They sleep most of the time and are usually curled up high in the trees. They camouflage well and without movement or noise to indicate their presence, it can be very difficult to see them. I would recommend getting a guide if seeing a sloth is a priority for you.
Agoutis
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Manglar Trail, Mirador Trail
These small rodent-like creatures live their life on the forest floor. Their scuttling and crunching in the leaves give them away, and usually, they are quite placid and won’t run immediately if you are quiet. We were lucky enough to spot many agoutis inside the park, and also at our accommodation in Manuel Antonio.
White-tailed deer
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Manglar Trail
These shy creatures can often be seen wandering beneath the elevated Manglar Trail or crossing the access road. Despite being quite large, they can be stealthy and hard to spot! One of our friends was looking directly at one, but only realised it was a deer when he started to move!
Racoons
👀 Where to see them – around the beaches, Access Road
We didn’t see any racoons in the park, but they are there. We actually only saw one the entire time we were in Costa Rica, at Cahuita National Park. But many people do spot them at Manuel Antonio. They can be known to come scrounging through bags looking for food, so are most commonly spotted around the beaches.
Coatis
👀 Where to see them – around the beaches, Access Road
Similar to racoons, but with a long tail that is usually sticking up in the air, we didn’t see any coatis at Manuel Antonio, but like racoons, they are there. Males are usually solo, but females will be in larger groups with babies.
Tapirs, anteaters and peccaries are some other highly desired Costa Rican wildlife. You won’t see a tapir or peccary at Manuel Antonio, and although it is possible to see an anteater here, it’s very unlikely. Corcovado National Park is a much better place to see all of these species.
Birds
There are over 350 species of birds inside the park. They might not seem like the most exciting animals in Manuel Antonio National Park to see, but a trip to Costa Rica will turn you into a bird lover, trust me! You are bound to see at least some of these species. A few of the most popular ones are listed below.
Toucans
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Manglar Trail, around the beaches
There are two species of toucans commonly found inside the park. The largest kind, the yellow-throated toucan, as well as a relation, the fiery-billed aracari. I would recommend listening to the noise a toucan makes on YouTube, so you know what to look out for. Once you know, your ears will be pricked. They give themselves away with their call, so they can be easy to spot.
Macaws
👀 Where to see them – around the beaches
We didn’t actually spot them inside the park, but we saw a lot of scarlet macaws all over Manuel Antonio. They are around. These guys are quite noisy too, squawking a lot if they’re hanging out in the trees and resting or eating. They usually travel in pairs, and often there will be multiple pairs flying together.
Hummingbirds
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Manglar Trail, Sloth Trail
Although not as abundant as in the cloud forests of Monteverde, there are a few species of hummingbirds found inside the park. They are tiny birds and can be very difficult to spot, but again, if you know what to listen for, you’ve got a good chance of seeing them. Their wings make a strange buzzing sound as they fly around flowers and nectar at very high speeds.
Reptiles, amphibians and insects
There are so many different kinds of creepy crawlies, frogs and reptiles inside Manuel Antonio. Although most people won’t find them as exciting as a monkey or a sloth, they are interesting creatures, and they are in abundance inside the park! They can be harder to spot, but it’s a great challenge to look for little lizards on the forest floor or snakes camouflaged in trees.
Green poison dart frogs
👀 Where to see them – Waterfall Trail
Most commonly seen in wet periods, these tiny little frogs have vibrant green spots, making them easy to see on the forest floor. The waterfall trail is the best place to see them. There are a couple of other species of frog that are less common to see, but still possible to sight like the red-eyed tree frog and the blue jeans poison dart frog.
Iguanas
👀 Where to see them – Mirador Trail, Puerto Escondido Trail, on the beaches
You’ll see a couple of different species of iguanas all over the park. They are usually sunning themselves on the paths, lookouts, or climbing trees. They can seem scary at first, but they are quite placid and not aggressive unless threatened.
Lizards
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Manglar Trail, Mirador Trail, on the beaches
There are a number of other lizard species around the park, like the basilisk (aka Jesus Christ lizards). Some of these species are very unique in that they can run along the water! You’d be lucky to see them in action, but even watching them run on land with their back legs is a spectacle.
Snakes
👀 Where to see them – Waterfall Trail, Manglar Trail
We didn’t see any, but it’s always possible to spot snakes inside the park. Usually, they are curled up on a tree branch. There are venomous snakes all over Costa Rica, but 99% of the time they are more scared of you than you are of them. They are more active at night, so the chances of encountering one that is actually awake are very slim. It’s nothing to be worried about. Probably the easiest snakes to spot would be the green or yellow vipers as they are very vibrant.
Crocodiles and caimans
👀 Where to see them – Manglar Trail
It’s rare, but possible to see crocodiles or caimans in the swampy wetlands and mangrove areas. They are often concealed by the boardwalk or bridges, or hiding under the murky water. If you want to see crocodiles, your best chance is to stop by the Crocodile Bridge in Tarcoles on your way to Manuel Antonio.
Crabs
👀 Where to see them – Mirador Trail
You will see a crazy amount of land crabs in Manuel Antonio National Park. These strange-looking guys are also known as Halloween crabs due to their unique colouring. You can hear them from a mile away scuttling around in the leaves on the forest floor. They are so funny to watch getting defensive with their claws up when they see you.
Leafcutter ants
👀 Where to see them – Access Road, Mirador Trail, Sloth Trail
If you’ve never been interested in ants before, I promise you will be after visiting Costa Rica! Leafcutter ants live in colonies numbering in the millions and have a complex system of work and social roles. These ants cut leaves from trees and plants, and carry fragments back to their nest to provide fertilizer to a fungus inside the nest. This fungus is what the ants feed on. It is a fascinating and deeply complex world. You can see lines of thousands of ants marching cross the paths in the park, carrying little fragments of green leaves on their backs. Super interesting!
How to maximise your chance of seeing animals in Manuel Antonio National Park
Hire a guide
If you are really serious about seeing animals in Manuel Antonio National Park, the best thing you can do is hire a guide. Although it’s not mandatory to have a guide to explore the park, it’s really worth it.
The guides are qualified naturalists who have a wealth of knowledge about the flora and fauna of the park. They know the park like the back of their hands and have years of experience spotting animals, and knowing where they like to hang out. With their laser vision, they’ll be pointing out critters you never could have spotted on your own.
They carry a telescope which allows you to get a close look at animals high in the trees, and they can also take photos on your phone through the scope.
In just a 2 – 3 hour guided tour, it’s likely you’ll spot more animals in Manuel Antonio National Park than you could all day on your own! And in addition, you’ll come away with a lot of knowledge and information about what you’re seeing too.
👉🏼 We recommend this Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour
How to see animals without a guide
If for whatever reason you don’t want to hire a guide (I run through the pros and cons in my Manuel Antonio National Park visitors guide), there are still things you can do to maximise your chances of seeing animals in Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Walk slowly – it seems obvious, but so many people fly along the trails, without taking the time necessary to spot animals. Take it easy, and go as slow as you need to scan through the trees and forest floor thoroughly.
- Watch and listen – this is usually the first clue you have that there is an animal around. Listening for leaves rustling on the forest floor, bird’s wings flapping or any animal noises. Keep your eyes peeled for any movement.
- Bring binoculars – if you’re seriously interested in spotting wildlife in Costa Rica, it’s a great idea to come with your own binoculars. It might not be as good as a guide’s telescope, but you will get a much closer view!
- Start early – hit the park as soon as it opens at 7 am. Animals tend to be more active in the morning when it’s cooler, and there will be less distraction and disturbance from crowds.
- Hike all (or most of) the trails – the best thing you can do to see more animals in Manuel Antonio National Park is to spend as much time on the trails as possible. The more trails you cover, the higher your chances of spotting wildlife.
Where to stay near Manuel Antonio National Park
As we recommend basing yourself in Manuel Antonio for a few days, you’ll need somewhere to stay! The area has more than just the national park, and we would suggest a minimum of 2 – 3 nights here. There are some recommendations below, depending on your budget.
Hotels near Manuel Antonio National Park
There are a number of amazing hotels all over the Manuel Antonio area, and I share some of the best picks in my Manuel Antonio guide post. But here, I would like to specifically highlight some options that are within easy walking distance of the park entrance.
- La Posada Jungle Hotel – you cannot get any closer to the park entrance than this option! A simple but well-maintained hotel with jungle vibes, and tons of wildlife! There is a swimming pool, and the rooms are spacious and well-equipped.
- $100 USD + per night check prices here
- Hotel Playa Espadilla & Gardens – a gorgeous resort-style hotel with large and well-equipped rooms, tropical grounds and a swimming pool. In a perfect location to walk to the park, as well as to Playa Espadilla Norte. Very well rated.
- $180 USD + per night check prices here
- La Vela Boutique Hotel – the pick of the bunch near the park, this stunning hotel is sleek and modern. The grounds ooze tropical vibes and there is a large swimming pool. The suites are worth splurging for, with a spacious covered balcony with jungle views. Daily breakfast included.
- $200 USD + per night check prices here
Hostels near Manuel Antonio National Park
If you’re on a budget it can be a little trickier, as the area is quite affluent, with a lot of luxury hotels. But there are a few hostels around, although none of them are within walking distance of the park, unfortunately. These are the closest and best-rated options.
- Teva Jungle Hotel and Hostel – an eco-style hostel nestled into the jungle near the centre of town. The property has a huge nature reserve attached with miles of trails to explore. There are dorms and privates, an on-site pool, a communal kitchen and a restaurant.
- $10 USD + per night check prices here
- Selina Manuel Antonio – a solid option, the Selina here is just as good as all their other properties around Costa Rica. Privates and dorms are available, and the property is huge and blended into the jungle. There’s a pool and all the usual Selina amenities on-site.
- $20 USD + per night check prices here
- Hostel Plinio – closer to Quepos than the park, this highly rated option is loved by travellers. A true jungle setting with a large swimming pool, daily breakfast and a communal kitchen. There are dorms and private rooms.
- $15 USD + per night check prices here
I hope this post has prepared and excited you for a day of spotting all the animals in Manuel Antonio National Park. Be sure to read our other guides to the park, to ensure you get the most out of your day, avoid the crowds and maximise your chances of seeing the unique and incredible wildlife inside the park.
More Manuel Antonio guides
The Comments
zidane
amazing picture and beautiful place thank you for creating this article
Sally Rodrick
zidaneThankyou for your kind words Zidane. Sally