Manuel Antonio has many natural history attractions, as well as adventure tours and activities for families on vacation with young children and teens. With Spring Break just around the corner, many families are looking for the perfect vacation activities to keep the whole gang happy while visiting Los Sueños Resort, Costa Rica.
Just over an hour from the resort, Manuel Antonio is the perfect day trip for families on vacation at Los Sueños. Our concierge team at HRG can help you plan activities that will perfectly suit your needs, and be fun for the entire family.
As might be expected, the Manuel Antonio National Park is a natural for family outings. Small and very accessible, the main trail is flat and wide, with slightly more taxing trails shooting off from there. Guides can point out the abundant wildlife and tell you all about the park. After your tour, spend some time on one of the park’s beaches. Perfect for swimming, the cove keeps the waves gentle. Be sure to watch out for your stuff, though; the monkeys and raccoons like to steal backpacks and beach bags in search of food!
Canopy tours are fun for families, even those with children as young as six. Reputable tour operators focus on safety first and point out the treetop inhabitants. Some tours in the area specialize in taking you primary jungle canopy habitat of titi monkeys.
Near the hotel Si Como No there is a wildlife refuge where visitors can explore the sights and sounds of the nighttime rainforest. The research laboratory and sanctuary is home to local reptiles, toads, insects and tree frogs complete with water gardens and pools designed to be home to different amphibians.
Horseback riding is another great way to enjoy the tropical outdoors; they usually include a stop for a swim. Full and half-day tours can include very young children (under 4) riding with parents or the guide. Parents or the guide can lead children older than 5 on their own horse.
The Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary rescues and releases wild animals of the rainforest. When rescues can’t be released, the sanctuary becomes their forever home in a safe environment. Tours run from 9 a.m. to noon daily, except on Tuesdays. The sanctuary shelters spider, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys, as well as tamarins, marmosets, kinkajous, sloths, and parrots.
La Selvita, another nature reserve, is 30 minutes from Quepos and Manuel Antonio, where families can zipline through the canopy, with lush primary and secondary forests, rivers, waterfalls, and cataracts. Visitors can also swim at Wild Waters and the Twin Falls (Cascadas Gemelas) during the 4-hour tour.
The team at HRG Vacations can provide more information, book transportation and tickets, and generally offer advice on what to do to get the most out of your family vacation at Los Sueños Resort and your day trip to Manuel Antonio.