Manuel Antonio National Park may be the reason many travelers first put this part of Costa Rica on their itinerary, but there is much more to discover once you are here.
Stay a little longer and you begin to experience a different side of Manuel Antonio and neighboring Quepos: smaller beaches tucked along the coastline, places locals return to for sunset, traditional flavors from the Central Pacific, and days that don't necessarily need a full itinerary.
At Los Altos Resort, our location makes it easy to experience both sides of the destination. You can spend a morning exploring the national park and still leave plenty of time to discover some of the places that make Manuel Antonio feel local.
Look Beyond the Best-Known Beaches
The beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park are understandably famous, and Playa Espadilla is one of the area's most recognizable stretches of coastline. But they are only part of the story.
The coastline around Quepos and Manuel Antonio includes beaches such as La Macha, Biesanz, Playitas, Las Gemelas and Matapalo, among others.
Playa Biesanz is one of the better-known local alternatives, a smaller beach surrounded by tropical vegetation and known for generally calmer water.
The appeal of exploring these smaller beaches isn't necessarily about finding a completely undiscovered place. It is about seeing more of the coastline and choosing a different rhythm for the day.
Ask our team at Los Altos what conditions are like and what makes sense during your stay. Weather, tides and access can change throughout the year, particularly during Costa Rica's green season.
Spend Some Time in Quepos
Manuel Antonio and Quepos are closely connected, but they have very different personalities.
Quepos is a working Costa Rican town rather than simply a resort destination, and spending some time here adds another layer to the trip.
One local stop worth knowing is Nahomi, near the Quepos waterfront. Its elevated position provides views toward Puerto Quepos, the surrounding bays and the Pacific, making it a particularly beautiful place toward the end of the day.
You can also walk along the waterfront and simply experience a little more of everyday life in the area before heading back up toward Manuel Antonio.
Taste the Central Pacific
Getting to know a destination also means eating beyond what is familiar.
The cuisine around Quepos reflects its Pacific setting. Fresh fish and seafood naturally feature prominently, alongside Costa Rican staples such as casados, ceviches and traditional picadillos. Regional specialties can include ceviche prepared with local shellfish as well as fresh mahi-mahi and whole fried snapper.
You don't necessarily need to seek out an elaborate dining experience. Sometimes the more interesting choice is simply asking what is fresh that day or trying something you haven't ordered before.
And when you feel like staying in, coming back to Los Altos for dinner gives you another perspective on the same Pacific landscape, this time from above.
September Has Its Own Rhythm
September falls within Costa Rica's green season, and Manuel Antonio feels different at this time of year.
There is a slower rhythm to the destination, with tropical landscapes at their greenest and plenty of reason to leave space in the day rather than planning every hour.
A clear morning might become your opportunity to head to the beach or explore outdoors. An afternoon shower might be exactly the excuse you need for a long lunch, time at Orquídea Spa, or simply watching the weather move across the Pacific from the resort.
Traveling at this time of year is less about following a rigid itinerary and more about being willing to adjust and that can be part of its appeal.
Let Los Altos Be Your Base
One of the things we enjoy most about Manuel Antonio is that you don't have to choose between exploring and slowing down.
From Los Altos, you can spend the morning discovering a beach or wandering around Quepos and still come back to a private 21-acre reserve, our infinity pool and the comfort of having plenty of space to settle in.
Stay for several days and Manuel Antonio starts to become more than a list of attractions. You find the beach you want to return to. You recognize the road into Quepos. You know where you want to watch the sunset. And perhaps you stop feeling the need to plan quite so much.
Our team is always happy to share recommendations and help you discover a little more of the Manuel Antonio we know.