Five beaches, one park ticket, and the mistakes visitors make. A field guide from the Wakoo Tours guides who work inside Manuel Antonio every day it opens.
Which beaches are inside the park
Manuel Antonio National Park has three beaches inside: Playa Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur and Playa Gemelas. All three need the park ticket. The beaches people mention outside the park (Playa Espadilla, Biesanz, Playa Linda) are free.
The most common mix-up: Playa Espadilla and Espadilla Sur are not the same beach. Espadilla is public and outside; Espadilla Sur is inside the park. You cannot walk into the park along the sand: the boundary is the gate, with a fence and a checkpoint.
Walking the trails as well as the sand? Our Manuel Antonio National Park guided hike guide covers the four SINAC trails, the footwear, the 7:00 a.m. start and what the route looks like with kids or with reduced mobility.
Discover the park with a certified guide.
From $30 · ticket assistance · scope + wildlife photos · 4.9★ from 3,000+ reviews
Beach-by-beach guide
| Beach | Inside park? | Swimming | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Manuel Antonio | Yes (ticket) | Calmest water in the area | Swimming, shade |
| Espadilla Sur | Yes (ticket) | Open to waves, take care | Walks, photos, fewer people |
| Playa Gemelas | Yes (ticket) | Small coves | Quiet, reached by trail |
| Playa Espadilla | No, free | Rip currents, lifeguards 8 AM to 5 PM | Restaurants, surf, sunset |
| Playa Biesanz | No, free | Sheltered cove | Calm water without a ticket |
The tombolo is the strip of sand joining the mainland to Punta Catedral, with Playa Manuel Antonio on one side and Espadilla Sur on the other: the only spot in the park with the sea on both sides.
Tickets, hours and closed Tuesdays
The SINAC ticket is $18.08 per adult and $5.65 per child and covers trails and beaches for the whole day. There is no separate beach ticket. SINAC sets the price and it can change. How to buy park tickets.
The park opens 7:00 AM to 4:00 p.m. and is closed every Tuesday, beaches included. Closed Tuesdays this season: December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2026, and January 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2027. On a Tuesday, go to Espadilla or Biesanz, or take the Damas Island mangrove boat outside the park.
Is it safe to swim?
This coast has rip currents, the most underestimated risk in Manuel Antonio. The calmest, most sheltered water is Playa Manuel Antonio inside the park; Biesanz is also sheltered. Espadilla and Espadilla Sur are open to the surf and can be dangerous even when the surface looks calm.
Swim where other people are swimming. If a current pulls you out, swim parallel to the shore until it lets go. Check whether a lifeguard is on duty before going in.
Monkeys and wildlife on the sand
White-faced capuchins work the sand at Playa Manuel Antonio and they are not shy: they open backpacks and grab food. Keep your bag closed and with you, and never feed them. The park restricts outside food and single-use plastic, and bags are checked at the gate. Watch for ghost crabs on the sand and iguanas at the forest edge.
Guided tour in the morning, beach after
This is the plan we recommend: walk the trails with a naturalist guide early, when wildlife is active, then stay on the beaches with the same ticket. Bring your swimsuit and a dry bag on the tour. Our guided tour starts at $30 per person (park ticket separate). See the Manuel Antonio park tour.
FAQ
Which is the best beach in Manuel Antonio?
Playa Manuel Antonio, inside the park: the calmest water and the best sand.
Are the beaches free?
The three inside the park need the park ticket; Espadilla, Biesanz and Playa Linda outside are free.
Can I visit the beach on a Tuesday?
Not inside the park: it is closed on Tuesdays. Espadilla and Biesanz are open.