Surfing in Manuel Antonio

Introduction

Manuel Antonio is a beautiful town located about 45 minutes south of Hermosa offering beginner surfers, or, surfers traveling with non-surfing partners, an excellent destination.

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most visited destinations. It has it all - from the small town life offered in Quepos to the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio combines breathtaking jungle and ocean views, exotic beaches, unique wildlife, a wide variety of adventure activities, friendly local & tourist community and plenty of restaurants and bars creating an unforgettable experience for travelers of all walks of life.

Although this area is not known as a prime surfer destination (like Jaco, for instance), there are some fun beach breaks at the local beaches and some excellent uncrowded breaks within a short drive.

Getting There

Manuel Antonio is accessed by a paved road (almost completely) from San José (3 hours) or by a shuttle flight into the local airport in Quepos (no boards over 7 feet).

Breaks

Manuel Antonio caters more to the beginner and moderate surfer, however with a nice swell these local break can be fun for all surfers. Just outside of Manuel Antonio and Quepos you can find some of the nicest and most remote waves in all of Costa Rica.

Damas rivermouth - Boca Damas - Access by boat only

A very strong, and hollow right. This wave is best at low tide filling in with a mid size to large swell from the northwest or west.

Quepos rivermouth - Boca Quepos

A long, perfect left coming off the pier. At low tide, you can catch hollow, strong waves. Needs a large swell to break. Best conditions with a west/northwest swell at low tide. Turd alert: water can be dirty.

Playitas

A short beach break located at the northern most end of the beach in Manuel Antonio. Best conditions with a medium to large swell from the south/southwest at mid to high tide. With a big swell, you can also surf the outer reef with offers long, open rights, ideal for longboarding by paddling across the river... beware of crocodiles!

Mar y Sombra

With the presence of a LARGE swell, this beach break offers a strong & often tubular left and right. Best conditions at mid to high tide and a large swell from the south/southwest.

Bajo

A strong, yet short left & right point located just south of Playitas. Best conditions with a small - medium swell from the south/southwest at mid - high tide.

Secret Spot

A reef break offering a long, perfect right running up to 200 meters. A very natural wave only surfable at low tide with a big swell from the S or SSW. (L & S).

Playa El Rey

Very similar to Playa Hermosa; this isolated beach break offers lefts and rights that close out with the presence of a big swell. Always bigger than nearby breaks so if you are in Manuel Antonio with non-surfers and are looking for relief, check this place out. No crowds with several peaks and is only accessible via a palm plantation about 15 minutes south of Quepos. Best conditions at mid - high tide incoming.

Places to Stay

Makanda by the Sea

The Makanda is a luxury, romantic, adults only hotel offering contemporary Villas and Studios in a quiet jungle setting with a sunset ocean view. Makanda offers open air villas and studios throughout the beautiful jungle property. more >

Hotel Costa Verde

This hotel offers some of the most spectacular views of the Manuel Antonio National Park and the surrounding beaches and jungle. The hotel offers efficiency rooms. more >

Hotel Si Como No

Only 5 minutes from the beautiful Manuel Antonio beach and national park, this hotel is in the ideal location for enjoying the sunny beaches and warm waters of Costa Rica. more >

Hotel La Mariposa

One of the original hotels in Manuel Antonio. The Mariposa is a luxury hotel that sits on top of the hill in Manuel Antonio minutes from the beach, offering the best ocean views around. more >

Hotel Verde Mar

One of the few beachfront hotels in Manuel Antonio, the Verde Mar is an excellent choice for those of you who would like to have the beach in your back yard and jungles as a backdrop. Economy, standard and suite rooms are available. more >

Tulemar Bungalows

The Tulemar is located in the ever popular Manuel Antonio, offering a unique combination of ocean front pleasure and a dreamy mountaintop quality with awe inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean. This hotel's 645 sq. ft. bungalows are scattered. more >

Places to Eat

Gran Escape

Our personal overall favorite… Located in Quepos offering a large menu with everything from burgers, wings, to fresh seafood, Mexican food, salads and excellent homemade desserts. Great food, great atmosphere, great choice!

Sunspot at Makanda

The best food in Manuel Antonio... located at the Hotel Makanda by the Sea (no children allowed), this casual, poolside restaurant offers the best of gourmet food around. Dishes range from smoked trout, to stuffed chicken, glazed tuna, pastas, pizzas, burgers (lunch menu only)…Try this and you will thank us! It is pricey, but well worth it! Great sunsets and fantastic appetizers as well…

El Barba Roja

Located at the top of the hill just before the turnoff to the Hotel Makanda, Mariposa, etc…Some of the best views, great place for sunset drinks and appetizers. They offer a variety of foods including nachos, fresh fish, burgers and more.

Mar y Sombra

Located on the beach in Manuel Antonio, offering a large menu of local dishes at rock bottom prices, but great flavor and large portions!

Escalofrio

Located in the heart of Quepos, offering homemade pastas, thin crust oven pizzas and freshly made gelatos in dozens of flavors.

Karolas

Located at the top of the hill just before Café Milagro, offering outdoor casual dining with excellent food. Dishes range from fresh tuna, mahi mahi, burritos, steaks, and more. The menu offers plenty of variety with a unique flavor and friendly service.

Mar y Luna

Located on the hill with fantastic ocean views, offering the best in fresh seafood..Don’t be deceived by the exterior…the food is fantastic and the service is great.

Bambu Jam

Located in the Mirador del Pacifico, offering excellent international cuisine, great presentation with a European influence.

Café Milagro

Located both in Quepos and at the crossroad in Manuel Antonio, offering the best in local coffee, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a café style menu but full breakfast (very good) are available as well as a variety of sandwiches for lunch, etc.

Things to Do

Local activities including: sunset sails, jet ski tours, mangrove tours, kayaking, snorkeling, canopy tours, horseback riding, waterfalls, surfing, sportfishing and lots more.

Then there is the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park, a great escape for a morning hike. Experience the sounds of one of the country’s most popular parks. White sand beaches, calm waters, several species of monkeys, sloths, birds and plenty of flora.

Playa Biesanz is a calm water bay located past the Hotel Makanda, great for snorkeling.

For those interested in some nightlife, the Mar y Sombra turns on at night in the summer months, and is a great disco and hang out (generally a younger crowd). Same thing for the Arco Iris, located just outside Quepos.

Other Adventures

• Overnight Boat Charter, Witches Rock/Ollie's Point - 'nuff said.
• White Water Rafting Savegre River - This full day adventure includes an incredible 4/wheel drive journey which takes you in to a very remote back country of the Río Savegre for a 4 hour guided Rafting trip with class II / III / IV rapids in rafts for 6 people.
• White Water Rafting Savegre River Overnight - This TWO day adventure begins with a transfer from Manuel Antonio/Quepos or San José to San Isidro del General, the most important town on the southern Interamerican Highway. This isn't just an adventure, it's an excursion.
• White Water Rafting Naranjo River - Only 30 minutes away from the Manuel Antonio / Quepos area the Naranjo River is the natural southern border of Manuel Antonio National Park. The section we run goes from the town of Villanueva in the mountains, to the Llamarón Bridge on the road from Quepos to Dominical.
• Jungle Canopy Tour - The trip begins with an amazing drive trough the tropical rainforest where you will have the opportunity to spot toucans, Tití monkeys, poison dart frogs and more tropical plant life than you could ever imagine.
• Rainmaker Canopy and River Walk - The Rainmaker Canopy Walk consists of a suspension bridge system, built to U.S. engineering standards. The six sections total 250 meters, spanning from platforms attached to massive hardwood trees to create the most impressive Canopy Walk in Costa Rica. Have to see it to understand, but it's impressive, trust us.
• Kayak Coastal Paddle - Enjoy a paddling tour of the Manuel Antonio coastline. We start at the pier in the port of Quepos and begin paddling south towards Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio. From a vantage point only possible in kayaks, we will experience Manuel Antonio's breathtaking cliffs and beautiful rock formations as we follow the coastline.
• Kayak Mangrove Estuary Tour - Paddle through the smooth inland waterways of the Damas Island Estuary, one of the most unusual types of vegetation on the planet, and learn the importance of this delicate ecosystem.
• Night Damas Island Kayak - A new experience, super interesting for those visitors, looking for a new option and it is to paddle Damas Island estuary at night, easy for every one, with our company and our specialized equipment that is not going to affect or change the mangrove ecosystem. We are going to observe and great variety of animals that lives here and in whish cases its habitat is nocturnal (which is most of the animals here) in a fresh and relaxing ambience.
• Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour - Have an experienced nature guide take you on an informative hike through the park. Our guides know where you are most likely to encounter sloths, and monkeys. They will also provide a great deal of information on the history, flora and fauna during this easy 2.5 hours walk.
• Damas Island Estuary Boat Tour - This excursion includes an explanation about the history of Quepos and how it was founded. Always searching for excellence, one will be treated to the latest boats with eco-friendly motors that make this trip a pleasant and unforgettable experience. The guides are enthusiastic and knowledgeable of the nature within the area.
• Nauyaca Waterfall Tour - Come with us to see the most beautiful waterfalls in the country! Cascading 25 & 40 meters into a 8 meters deep pool for swimming. The horseback tour offers you more contact with nature and a better chance of seeing wild life.
• Dolphin Watch Tour - Marvel at the mysterious islands with their jagged rock formation, towering cliffs and nesting grounds with numerous species of marine birds and their young.
• Deep Sea Fishing - We offer a wide variety of boats from smaller pangas to full service yachts with all gear. Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Marlin! Experience the world class fishing that has made these waters famous.
• Carara Biological Reserve - This tour is a must for anyone with a serious interest in nature. A premontane moist forest, Carara National Park is “an excellent reserve that has wildlife of both the Guanacaste tropical dry forest and tropical wet forests of southern Pacific Lowlands” (Carrol L. Henderson, Wildlife of Costa Rica).

Things to Avoid

Be careful driving on the curvy road from Quepos to Manuel Antonio in the evening as this can be dangerous.