Ranked by the OnlyBeaches Index (OBI) — a 1-10 score blending water purity, conditions, crowd levels and vibe. Updated every 30 minutes.
Playa Biesanz
A sheltered Manuel Antonio cove prized for calmer swimming and kayak/snorkel trips.
Playa Espadilla
Main public beach for Manuel Antonio with wide sand, surf lessons, sunsets, and easy services.
Playa Espadilla Sur
The national-park side of Espadilla, quieter and more natural than the town-facing beach.
Playa Gemelas
A pair of compact park coves with a more intimate feel than the main Manuel Antonio beach.
Playa La Vaca
A small local cove near Manuel Antonio that generic beach lists often overlook.
Playa Manuel Antonio
The signature national-park beach and one of Costa Rica’s most searched coastal landmarks.
Playa Pará
Small tucked-away cove near Manuel Antonio often missed by casual visitors
Playa Playitas
A well-known north-end Manuel Antonio beach with surf culture and an alternative local identity.
Playa Puerto Escondido
A secluded park beach that rewards visitors willing to go beyond the headline beaches.
Playa Tulemar
A semi-private resort cove with real beach identity and high-value luxury travel relevance.
Manuel Antonio sits in Puntarenas, Costa Rica and is home to 10 ranked beaches on OnlyBeaches. Every beach here is scored by the OnlyBeaches Index — a 1-10 metric blending water purity, live conditions (waves, water temperature, wind), crowd intelligence and vibe.
Whether you're after the highest-scoring beach in Manuel Antonio or a quieter hidden cove, the list above is refreshed every 30 minutes using live Stormglass and OpenWeather data.
