Manuel Antonio National Park Wildlife Tour
A focused wildlife encounter targeting every iconic species of Manuel Antonio. Expert naturalist guidance included.
The Wildlife of Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park covers 6.83 km². That's smaller than most suburbs. Within that area, biologists have documented 109 mammal species, 184 bird species, 55 amphibian and 60 reptile species, plus extraordinary insect diversity. The concentration of large, visible, approachable wildlife packed into that space is rare anywhere on Earth.
Our Manuel Antonio wildlife tour is designed to maximize your encounters with the park's most spectacular species. Moving through the park's best wildlife areas with a guide who has spent years on these trails, you'll encounter animals most visitors walk right past: camouflaged sloths, silent monkeys watching from the canopy, and perfectly still lizards indistinguishable from the bark they rest on.
The Animals of Manuel Antonio
Sloths (both Bradypus variegatus, the three-toed, and Choloepus hoffmanni, the Hoffmann's two-toed) are the animals most visitors want to see above all else in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio is one of the best places in the country to observe them. The density is high and our guides know their exact sleeping trees. Seeing a sloth's face up close, that permanently serene expression, is one of those moments that stays with you.
Scarlet macaws (Ara macao) are one of the most visually spectacular birds on Earth: brilliant scarlet with blue and yellow wings, traveling in bonded pairs with loud, raucous calls. Manuel Antonio has a significant macaw population and they're regularly encountered in the park's larger trees. Watching a pair fly overhead against the canopy is an image that stays with you.
Basilisk lizards (Basiliscus vittatus), the famous "Jesus Christ lizards", are a genuinely remarkable wildlife encounter. When startled, they drop from branches, hit the water's surface, and sprint across it on their hind legs before sinking. Watching it happen is hard to believe until you see it.
The green iguana (Iguana iguana) reaches impressive sizes in Manuel Antonio. Adults over 1.5 meters long bask on the beach and in the lower tree branches. Females may be carrying eggs during the dry season and can be seen digging nesting holes on the park's beaches. These prehistoric-looking reptiles are far more interesting to observe than most visitors expect.
With an 80–90% wildlife sighting rate, our expert wildlife tour consistently delivers encounters with the park's most iconic species. Book early to secure your date. These tours fill up fast.
✨ Tour Highlights
- Sloths, both two-toed and three-toed species, in their natural habitat
- All three monkey species: white-faced capuchin, squirrel monkey, and howler monkey
- Scarlet macaws, often seen in pairs flying through the park's canopy
- Green iguanas and spiny-tailed iguanas along the trails and beaches
- Jesus Christ lizards (basilisks): watch them run on water
- Hundreds of bird species including toucans, motmots, and kingfishers
✓ What's Included
- ICT-certified expert wildlife naturalist guide
- Professional spotting scope for canopy views
- High-quality binoculars
- Wildlife identification guide
- Small group (max 10 · bigger groups welcome)
- Free parking
✗ Not Included
- Park entrance ticket (ask us to arrange)
- Food and beverages
- Transportation
Reserve Your Spot Today
Message us on WhatsApp. We reply within minutes, 7 days a week.
Book on WhatsApp✓ Free cancellation up to 24h · ✓ No booking fees · ✓ Instant confirmation
Meeting Point & Location
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the likelihood of seeing sloths on the wildlife tour?
Very high. Sloths are one of the most commonly encountered mammals in Manuel Antonio because they spend up to 20 hours a day stationary in the canopy, making them findable if you know where to look. Our guides have spotted their favorite trees and regularly find both two-toed and three-toed sloths within the first 30 minutes of most tours.
What is the difference between the wildlife tour and the standard guided tour?
The wildlife tour is specifically focused on maximizing animal encounters. We move more slowly, use spotting scopes and binoculars more extensively, and spend more time with each animal. The standard guided tour also encounters significant wildlife but balances this with trail exploration, ecology commentary, and beach time. The wildlife tour is for guests whose primary goal is seeing as many animals as possible.
Are the animals in Manuel Antonio wild or habituated to people?
All the animals in Manuel Antonio are genuinely wild: not fed, not handled, and not trained in any way. Some species (like the white-faced monkeys) have become habituated to human presence after decades of park visitation, meaning they don't flee immediately. But they're completely wild animals with natural behaviors. Our guides observe strict no-touch, no-feeding protocols to maintain the animals' natural behavior.