Manuel Antonio Hotels

Manuel Antonio History

• Old Quepoa Village – An ancient settlement site for about a thousand Quepoas where the Mariposa Hotel and Si Como No stand today.
• Mogote Island – The island where the 57-pound world record Pacific black snook was caught in 1991.
• Playa Manuel Antonio – The site for ancient turtle traps made from rocks by the pre-Columbian settlers called Quepoas.
• Guayabo – Surrounded by hills with very old stone bases built by previous villagers.
• Caves of Damas – These old caves formed over thousands of years are representations of Costa Rica's ancient history.

Manuel Antonio Art & Culture

• Academia de Espanol D’Amore – A learning institution that teaches Spanish and Costa Rican culture.
• Costa Rica International Film Festival – A grand celebration for filmmaking usually held in Manuel Antonio every November.
• Good Neighbours Jazz Festival – Held every mid-February, it features live jazz performances.
• Festival de la Luz – One of the most anticipated events during the Christmas season, celebrated by bright lights.
• Escuela de Idiomas D'Amore Spanish Immersion Centre – Offers home-stay programs to promote the Spanish language as well as Costa Rican culture.

Manuel Antonio Shopping

• La Buena Nota – Visible on the road toward Manuel Antonio, it offers assorted souvenir items, handmade accessories and beachwear.
• Laventura Souvenir and Art Shop – Sells unique souvenirs, intricate handicrafts and other beautiful art pieces.
• MOT MOT Souvenir & Gallery – Aside from authentic handicrafts, the shop also provides precious woods, sculptures and paintings made by local artists.
• Books2Go – A small, distinctive bookstore that became a favourite meeting place for travellers.
• Mercado Central – The nearest shopping centre to the Manuel Antonio National Park.

Gay & Lesbian Manuel Antonio

• Barba Roja – This old and popular gay-friendly bar holds a gay night every Thursday.
• Liquid – One of the newest establishments in Manuel Antonio, this gay bar is perfect for drinking, dancing and meeting people.
• Playita – This local beach has a section toward to the north end popular with the gay community.
• Latino Lounge – This lounge is well known for its mixed drinks, Sunday tea dances and dinners for the gay crowd.
• Bambu Jam – This bar and restaurant offers live music and is frequently visited by LGBT population.

Manuel Antonio-Puntarenas Attractions

• Manuel Antonio Mangroves
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Punta Cathedral

Manuel Antonio-Puntarenas Activities

• Spend the day learning to surf at the Tropical Surf School
• Explore the underwater beauty snorkelling and scuba diving at Cano Island
• Enjoy a relaxing massage at Holis Wellness Centre and Spa in Manuel Antonio

Getting there & around

Most travellers coming to Manuel Antonio in Puntarenas will fly into the Quepos Airport in San Jose. They will then take a bus from the Coca Cola Bus Station downtown to their final destination.

Visitors will find minimal bus and taxi services available in and around the area. Most tourists find that hiring a rental car is much more convenient, especially those who want to explore more remote locations during their stay.