What to do near Manuel Antonio and Quepos - A locals opinion

Nauyaca Waterfalls

Just 45 minutes south of Manuel Antonio you will find one of the largest and most epic waterfalls that Costa Rica has to offer.  This giant waterfall is a bit off the grid but can be easily accessed in a number of ways. If you don't know what to do near Manuel Antonio, try getting out of the area to check out this incredible site. For detailed information about Nauyaca waterfall, check out our Nauyaca waterfall blog post.

The Reto Mae Hike

If you're looking to stay close to town, the Reto Mae hike is easily one of the coolest hikes in the Manuel Antonio area.  This is a moderate hike best for experienced hikers that will take you to multiple cove beaches and mirador viewpoints.  For more information about this amazing hike check out our Reto Mae Blog Post. 

White Water Rafting on the Savegre

Just minutes from Manuel Antonio you will find the Savegre river, one of the best white water rivers in Costa Rica. This beautiful natural river runs class 3 and 4 rapids, suitable for beginners, kids, and adrenaline seekers alike. There are multiple rafting companies that run tours down the Savegre and tours can be easily booked year round. The water level goes up in the rainy season making it a bit more extreme but tour providers will only run tours if the river is safe for everyone. For more information, check out our tour page where you can find this and so many other incredible tours for sale.

Playa Linda (Matapalo)

If you spent a good amount of time visiting the beaches near Manuel Antonio, think about checking out a beach just a bit further away. Playa Linda in Matapalo is an incredible secluded beach with some of the cleanest ocean water in the area.  It's likely you will have the beach almost all to your self, as this is not a touristy beach.  Be careful swimming at Playa Linda. There are strong rip tides and no life guards to rescue you.  Tourist use caution. Secluded beaches are beautiful but they can be more susceptible to thieves. 

Bamboo (Uvita)

If you've been in Manuel Antonio too long and need to get away, Uvita is just a hop away and has so much to offer. One of my favorite things to do in Uvita is swimming in the river at an area called Bamboo.  The area is named Bamboo because an incredible bamboo forest that parallels the river is your marker for the entry point to the river. From the bamboo forest, the river is just a quick 5-minute hike.  This river spot is the perfect place to hang out, relax, and enjoy the Pura Vida. Best to pack a cooler and spend the day at this beautiful spot.

Rain Maker Park

Just 30 minutes from Manuel Antonio is an incredible hiking experience in a truly special location.  Rain Maker Park is a small adventure park featuring suspension bridges, beautiful hiking trails, and powerful rainwater streams. You can book a guided tour of this park but it's not truly necessary. This park can be found on most maps, is easy to get to, and only costs a few dollars to get in.  

The Hills of Portalon

If you're looking for a peaceful place to get wet and spend the day or escape the heat, look no further than the Hills of Portalon. This jungle river escape is just 30 minutes from Manuel Antonio and will feed your soul. It's accessible with any type of car and has areas to cliff jump, swim, and lounge. Pack a picnic and plan to spend a few hours here to completely recharge your batteries. For more information visit our Hills of Portalon blog post. 

Los Campesinos

Just 1 hour driving from Manuel Antonio, discover one of our area's most incredible best kept secrets. Los Campesinos is an all-natural waterfall park that features tantalizing suspension bridges, refreshing swimming pools, and majestic waterfalls.  To get there on your own you will need a 4x4 vehicle. The entrance fee is $10 per person. For more detailed information check out our Los Campesinos blog. 

Jungle Zipline

Surrounded by dense jungle and copious amounts of wild animals, Manuel Antonio is a perfect location for your zipline adventure. While there are multiple tour suppliers to choose from, you really can't go wrong with any choice you make. All zipline tours will have you flying from tree to tree, repelling down giant trees, and each tour has its own twist that makes it special. Our favorite is the serpentarium and butterfly garden you visit with Safari Adventures tour.

Hike to Jungle Creek Waterfall (El Salto)

Travel deep into the pristine jungle forest of Manuel Antonio. Follow the jungle creek steam as it guides you to an incredible hidden gem of Manuel Antonio. Nicknamed "El Salto" by locals who have been known to jump from daunting heights into the crystal blue pool below, this jungle creek waterfall is not for the faint of heart. If you want to visit this waterfall, and need to know how to get there, check out our blog post "El Salto Waterfall"

Spend The Day at the Naranjo River

Just 20 minutes from Quepos and Manuel Antonio you will find one of Costa Rica's most beautiful rivers. The Naranjo river is a heavy-flowing river with lots of water and an incredible landscape to enjoy. Near the Londres bridge, you can find nice areas where the water gets deeper, making perfect swimming holes.  The river water in this area can range from white water rapids to a calm flow of river water depending on the season and the amount of rain in the area. Pack a cooler with lunch and drinks and spend the day exploring this incredible landscape.  Bring some inflatable toys and enjoy floating down the river. To get to this river just search for Londres Costa Rica on Maps or google. You will pass over the yellow bridge (in the picture above) on your way to Londres. The area near the bridge is beautiful and one of the best spots to set up for the day.  Make sure not to leave your things unattended as theft is always a threat in secluded areas like this.  The video below shows one beautiful part of the Naranjo river which is also great for the white water rafting part of the year.