Quick Trip: Sloth Tracking in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
I went to go visit some sloths 🦥 as well as enjoy a few days hanging out with great wildlife. Manuel Antonio is a great spot on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica and a quick drive from San Jose Airport. I'd say 2-3 days is a perfect amount of time to enjoy the area and the beaches.
12 Places • 8 Saves • ago
Free
Do you like sloths like I like sloths?
They're so cute and to be honest, for an animal in the wild, they're pretty easy to track down. They don't do a lot other than look really cute and nap/snack. The area near the Manuel Antonio National Park is a great place to enjoy a few days or a long weekend of sun, fun, and sloths.
Where to Stay
Parador Resort & Spa Manuel Antonio
@amyposey
One of the more upscale options near Manuel Antonio. Great pools, close to the park, walking distance to good restaurants. BONUS: there are resident sloths on the property so you don't even need to leave to see them!
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igloo beach lodge
@amyposey
Looking for a unique stay near the park? The Igloo lodge is a quirky option. Good beach access, great food, and a wonderful pool
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Details
Where to Eat
Samui Thai
@amyposey
It's hard to go wrong with Thai and this open air restaurant is cool, cozy, and has great views of the surrounding nature.
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Details
Manuel Antonio Falafel bar
@amyposey
There's an impressive amount of veg food in the region, catering to tourists and the Falafel Bar is a hip choice for a casual meal.
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Details
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Details
Casa Planta restaurant
@amyposey
Part of the very cool and funky Igloo Beach Lodge, this restaurant offers up fantastic green eats and juices. Definitely get the fresh juices.
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Details
What to See
Biesanz Beach
@amyposey
A small beach with a local feel. You can rent chairs and it gets a little crowded on the weekend, but it's swim friendly and a great place to relax.
Add to
Details
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
@amyposey
The highlight to any trip in the area, this national park is huge. There's tons of hiking, great beaches, beautiful water, and if you're lucky, SLOTHS! You can hire a guide or if you've got a good map app, go off on your own to explore. It's a jungle park, so bring lots of water, some bug spray, sunscreen, and if you've got a zoom lens or binoculars, bring those for animal spotting.
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Details
Manuel Antonio Beach
@amyposey
Part of the national park, the official beach is fantastic--wide, sandy, shady in parts. A great spot to relax after exploring the hikes and climbs in the park.
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Details
Playa Espadilla Norte
@amyposey
This stretch of beach is fantastic and seems to go on for miles. Outside of the national park, it's dotted with little restaurants and beach shacks for snacks.
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Details
Playitas Beach
@amyposey
Smaller and near the main beach to the east, Playitas beach is also great for relaxing on the coast after hiking and finding sloths. It is a bit of a hike down/up to access.
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Details
Enjoyed this guide?
I'd be so grateful if you would...
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Thanks & happy travels!
* * *
CURATED BY
California-based traveler focused on short attention span travel. My guides provide info on how to make the most of a short trip and find the best eats (usually healthy/veg!) in town.
I've spent the last 22 years traveling, living, and working overseas and love experiencing the very best a place has to offer even if I don't have a lot of time. My guides focus on 2-4 day trips in a place. I tend to get out into nature🌲, check out great restaurants 🍽️, and find great coffee ☕️.
📍Currently: San Jose, CA
🇵🇹 Soon: Albufeira, Portugal
🌎 visited 80+ countries
🏃🏼♀️ fast break expert
🏔 mountaineer & paragliding enthusiast
🌱 plant forward + foodie
☕️ coffee lover
✈️ married to an airline pilot, so I live that #nonrev life
____________________________
Shop my guides to suss the best things to do with not a lot of time. There's a sample guide or two available for FREE! so check it out.
New!: Cartagena and Medellin Colombia
Coming soon!: Algarve, Portugal, Global Pizza Quest, San Jose Burrito Throwdown
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Quick Trip: Sloth Tracking in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
I went to go visit some sloths 🦥 as well as enjoy a few days hanging out with great wildlife. Manuel Antonio is a great spot on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica and a quick drive from San Jose Airport. I'd say 2-3 days is a perfect amount of time to enjoy the area and the beaches.
12 Places • 8 Saves • ago
Free
Do you like sloths like I like sloths?
They're so cute and to be honest, for an animal in the wild, they're pretty easy to track down. They don't do a lot other than look really cute and nap/snack. The area near the Manuel Antonio National Park is a great place to enjoy a few days or a long weekend of sun, fun, and sloths.
Where to Stay
Parador Resort & Spa Manuel Antonio
@amyposey
One of the more upscale options near Manuel Antonio. Great pools, close to the park, walking distance to good restaurants. BONUS: there are resident sloths on the property so you don't even need to leave to see them!
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
igloo beach lodge
@amyposey
Looking for a unique stay near the park? The Igloo lodge is a quirky option. Good beach access, great food, and a wonderful pool
Add to
Details
Where to Eat
Samui Thai
@amyposey
It's hard to go wrong with Thai and this open air restaurant is cool, cozy, and has great views of the surrounding nature.
Add to
Details
Manuel Antonio Falafel bar
@amyposey
There's an impressive amount of veg food in the region, catering to tourists and the Falafel Bar is a hip choice for a casual meal.
Add to
Details
Add to
Details
Casa Planta restaurant
@amyposey
Part of the very cool and funky Igloo Beach Lodge, this restaurant offers up fantastic green eats and juices. Definitely get the fresh juices.
Add to
Details
What to See
Biesanz Beach
@amyposey
A small beach with a local feel. You can rent chairs and it gets a little crowded on the weekend, but it's swim friendly and a great place to relax.
Add to
Details
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
@amyposey
The highlight to any trip in the area, this national park is huge. There's tons of hiking, great beaches, beautiful water, and if you're lucky, SLOTHS! You can hire a guide or if you've got a good map app, go off on your own to explore. It's a jungle park, so bring lots of water, some bug spray, sunscreen, and if you've got a zoom lens or binoculars, bring those for animal spotting.
Add to
Details
Manuel Antonio Beach
@amyposey
Part of the national park, the official beach is fantastic--wide, sandy, shady in parts. A great spot to relax after exploring the hikes and climbs in the park.
Add to
Details
Playa Espadilla Norte
@amyposey
This stretch of beach is fantastic and seems to go on for miles. Outside of the national park, it's dotted with little restaurants and beach shacks for snacks.
Add to
Details
Playitas Beach
@amyposey
Smaller and near the main beach to the east, Playitas beach is also great for relaxing on the coast after hiking and finding sloths. It is a bit of a hike down/up to access.
Add to
Details
Enjoyed this guide?
I'd be so grateful if you would...
🗣️SHARE with a friend
✍️WRITE a review
🤑 TIP a few bucks so I can keep creating great content
Thanks & happy travels!
* * *
CURATED BY
California-based traveler focused on short attention span travel. My guides provide info on how to make the most of a short trip and find the best eats (usually healthy/veg!) in town.
I've spent the last 22 years traveling, living, and working overseas and love experiencing the very best a place has to offer even if I don't have a lot of time. My guides focus on 2-4 day trips in a place. I tend to get out into nature🌲, check out great restaurants 🍽️, and find great coffee ☕️.
📍Currently: San Jose, CA
🇵🇹 Soon: Albufeira, Portugal
🌎 visited 80+ countries
🏃🏼♀️ fast break expert
🏔 mountaineer & paragliding enthusiast
🌱 plant forward + foodie
☕️ coffee lover
✈️ married to an airline pilot, so I live that #nonrev life
____________________________
Shop my guides to suss the best things to do with not a lot of time. There's a sample guide or two available for FREE! so check it out.
New!: Cartagena and Medellin Colombia
Coming soon!: Algarve, Portugal, Global Pizza Quest, San Jose Burrito Throwdown
PERSONALIZED TRAVEl SERVICES
Connect
with
a
local
expert
to
help
plan
your
ideal
trip
Send A Tip
Support Amy Posey’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount