Three days in Manuel Antonio is enough for the national park, a whitewater river and a day on the zipline and the ocean. Five days adds a horseback ride to a waterfall and the Isla Damas mangroves. Below are both itineraries, built for people who want to be out doing something every day. Each tour picks you up at your hotel or villa, feeds you, and drops you back, so nobody has to drive. The river day changes with the month, and the table further down shows which one runs when.
How the days work
Every tour here includes round-trip pickup from hotels, villas and vacation rentals in Manuel Antonio and Quepos, a certified bilingual guide, and the gear. Most include lunch or another meal. You pay per tour, so you can drop a day, swap one, or add a beach afternoon wherever you need it. Prices below are per person from Manuel Antonio, before 13% VAT.
One rule shapes the plan: the national park closes every Tuesday. Put your park day on any other day, and book it first, because park tickets are the first thing to sell out in high season.
The 3-day itinerary
One day in the rainforest, one on a river, one on the ocean.
Day 1: rainforest by day and by night
| Pickup | What you do | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour. Sloths, monkeys and toucans through a spotting scope, then the park beaches. From $75. | Park ticket, guide, scope, snacks |
| Midday | Back at your hotel by late morning. Lunch, a nap, or Playa Espadilla right outside the park. | Free time |
| 5:30 PM | Jungle night walk. Frogs, snakes and sleeping birds by flashlight. From $75. | Guide, flashlights, snacks |
Day 2: whitewater
| Pickup | What you do | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 or 8:30 AM | Your river, by month (see the table below). January to April: El Chorro, Class IV, ages 16 and up, from $115. Any month, and the only option in December: the Savegre, Class II-III, ages eight and up, from $115. | Gear, river guides, lunch |
| Afternoon | Back at your hotel mid-afternoon with sore arms. A slow sunset is the right call tonight. | Free time |
Day 3: zipline and the ocean
| Pickup | What you do | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Zipline canopy tour. Twelve cables, 22 platforms, a Tarzan swing and a rappel. From $99. | Gear, guides, lunch |
| 2:00 PM | Ocean kayaking and snorkeling. Paddle to Biesanz Bay and snorkel the reef. Ages eight and up. From $85. | Kayak, snorkel gear, dinner |
The 5-day itinerary
Days one to three as above, then two days at an easier pace.
Day 4: horseback to a waterfall
| Pickup | What you do | Included |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Horseback riding through the jungle. Mountain trails to a waterfall you can swim in, then back to the family farm. From $89. | Horse, guide, lunch |
| Afternoon | Free. Want a full day instead? The horseback and chocolate combo adds the farm's chocolate, coffee and vanilla tour. | Free time |
Day 5: mangroves or the open water
| Pickup | What you do | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Set by the tide | Isla Damas mangrove kayak tour. Paddle the channels at water level, with crocodiles, herons and monkeys in the trees. Ages six and up. From $85. | Kayak, guide, a meal |
| Or 8:00 AM | Catamaran adventure. Sail the coast, snorkel in a bay and eat on board. From $93.75. | Snorkel gear, lunch on board |
The mangrove time follows the tide, so ask us for it before you plan the rest of that day.
Which river runs when
Rafting is the day most people get wrong, because each river has its own season.
| Month | River for your rafting day | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| December | Savegre, Class II-III | 8 and up |
| January to April | El Chorro, Class IV, or the Savegre | 16 and up for El Chorro |
| May to November | Naranjo River, Class III-IV, or the Savegre | 10 and up for the Naranjo |
Want rafting and riding in one day? From January to April, the El Chorro Saddle & Paddle pairs a horseback ride with El Chorro, lunch included. From May to November, the Naranjo Saddle & Paddle does the same on the Naranjo. Our rafting guide compares the three rivers in detail.
A few things that help
- Book the park first. Our guide to Manuel Antonio park tickets in high season explains why.
- Keep the evening after rafting free. You will want an early night.
- Pack a swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a dry change of clothes for every day on the water.
- Staying in Jacó? Most of these tours pick up there too. See Manuel Antonio as a day trip from Jacó.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Manuel Antonio?
Three full days cover the national park, a river day and a day on the zipline and the ocean. Five days add horseback riding to a waterfall and the Isla Damas mangroves without rushing. With a week, keep one day free for the beach.
Can Tucanes pick us up from a villa or vacation rental?
Yes. Every tour in these itineraries includes round-trip pickup from hotels, villas and vacation rentals in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos area. Send us the address when you book. Most tours also pick up in Jacó for a higher price that covers the drive.
Which rafting trip runs in December?
The Savegre River, which runs all year. El Chorro opens January 1 and runs until May 1, and the Naranjo River runs from May to November, so in December the Savegre is the river.
Are meals included on the tours?
Most of them. Rafting, horseback riding, the zipline, ocean kayaking, the catamaran and the mangrove tours include a meal. The national park tour and the night walk include snacks and drinks.
Are these itineraries good for teenagers?
Yes, with one limit. El Chorro rafting is for ages 16 and up. Teens younger than that can do the Savegre River (ages eight and up), the zipline (six and up) and ocean kayaking (eight and up).
Do I need to book ahead in high season?
Yes, especially the national park, whose daily tickets sell out from December to April. Book the park day first, then build the rest of the trip around it. You can reserve online and pay later.
Keep planning
To compare every tour side by side, see Manuel Antonio day tours compared. For the animal everyone hopes to see, here are the best spots to see sloths in Manuel Antonio. All of our guides are on the blog.
