Manuel Antonio Tours and Activities

Activities and Tours

Surfing

Surf Lessons

They offer either half day lessons which include equipment, fruit, and drinks with three hours of surf instruction for 65US$ or full day instruction with equipment drinks, fruit and a typical Costa Rican lunch for $85.

Surf Board/ Boogie Board Rental

Average surfboard cost: 10US$ per hour, 25US$ half-day, 35US$ all day. Boogie board 4US$ per hour. Rent from the stand on the Manuel Antonio beach near the restaurant May y Sombra or in the shop located under Juan Toucan's Bar.

Horse Riding Tours

Horse Riding on the Beach

This tour includes instructions (you are free to gallop if you know how), bilingual guide, and transport to and from your hotel. You ride on the beach with the horses for about 2 hours, taking them for a splash in the water as well. After the horse ride you are welcome to use the pool and Jacuzzi back at the ranch, and offered a sandwich lunch.

Rainforest Horse Ride

Enjoy beautiful landscapes while you ride through the primary rainforest with a guide who will point out medicinal plants found in the area. The ride takes you to a viewpoint of the lush valley and by a waterfall where you have the chance to swim. This tour includes a bilingual guide, transport return from your hotel, breakfast and lunch.

White Water Rafting

Naranjo River Half-Day Rafting

This is a class 3-4 difficulty rafting trip. Rafters on the River Naranjo, just 30 minutes drive outside of town, travel through a gorge which snakes through beautiful jungle and farmlands. ‘Action and beauty' categorizes this trip, which is a mixture of aggressive waters with tranquil natural settings. No prior rafting experience is necessary though you should be physically fit to take this trip. This tour also includes bilingual guide, transport return from your hotel, breakfast and lunch. Footwear you are happy to get wet is required.

ATV Four Wheeler Tour

Trek through coarse mountain terrain, rivers, and muddy trails. Afterwards you can go for a dip at the Arrollo Waterfall, surrounded by beautiful vegetation and wildlife. This tour also includes bilingual guide, transport return from your hotel, breakfast and lunch.

Damas Island Mangrove Tours

Boat Tour

Travel through mangroves located a 15 minute boat ride from Quepos. The Mangroves are situated within the protected estuaries of Damas Island. You will be accompanied by a naturalist guide who will detail the biological relationships between the organisms that dwell within this delicate habitat. The boats are eco-friendly, comfortable and provide a great platform to spot crocodiles, monkeys, migratory birds and a lot more. This tour also includes bilingual guide, transport return from hotel, breakfast or lunch.

Kayak Tour

Explore the wonderful world of coastal mangroves just minutes away from Manuel Antonio. You will float through the protected estuaries of Damas Island, looking out for wildlife as you paddle along. There is a lot to learn about mangrove ecosystems and your guide will give you interesting facts as he tours you through hidden waterways and areas where boats just cannot go. This tour also includes bilingual guide, transport return from your hotel, breakfast or lunch.

Sailboat and Snorkelling Tours

There are three recommended companies which offer basically the same tour on different style boats. All trips go searching for dolphins (sometimes whales), sail around nearby islands, and snorkel in a beautiful bay. All trips include lunch and drinks while listening to music. During the months of December-April you can do this same tour ending in a spectacular sunset from the boat. Trips usually depart at 9.00 am and 2:00pm for the Sunset cruises and last 4 hours.

Planet Dolphin

Large Catamaran (40 people) Cost: 70US$ Tel. (506) 777 16 47, Email: info@planetdolphin.com

Sunset Sail Tours

Sail Boat (15 people) Cost: 69US$ Tel. (506) 777 13 04, Email. info@sunsetsailstours.com

Sea Lion

Motorised boat (12 people) Cost: 49US$ Tels. (506) 777 32 61/ 811 15 34.

Butterfly Botanical Garden (Fincas Naturales)

Located between Manuel Antonio and Quepos, the Butterfly Botanical Garden is a 30 acre refuge housing many of Costa Rica's natural wonders. The private reserve is an extension of the national park and has many accessible trails taken you through pristine forest and past permanent exhibitions. The Gardens offer a number of tour options:

• Butterfly Garden-- Cost: 18US$. Walk through a butterfly garden where there are 18 different species of butterflies.
  
• Butterfly Garden, Reptile Lagoon, Aquatic Garden--Cost: 25US$. Take a 2 hour walk through the butterfly garden, reptile lagoon (crocodiles, caiman, snakes, turtles), and aquatic garden (frogs) with a guide.
  
• Butterfly Garden, Reptile Lagoon, Aquatic Garden-- Cost: 35US$. Take a 3 hour walk through the butterfly garden, reptile lagoon (crocodiles, caiman, snakes, turtles), and aquatic garden (frogs) with a guide that will take you through trails and explain the exhibits and the animals in detail.
• Night Walk-Go through the 3 exhibits at night. This is mostly to appreciate the frogs because they are more active at night. Cost: 30US$.

Diving