Best beaches in Manuel Antonio

10 ranked beaches in Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas

Ranked by the OnlyBeaches Index (OBI) — a 1-10 score blending water purity, conditions, crowd levels and vibe. Updated every 30 minutes.

All beaches in Manuel Antonio

1
Playa Biesanz

A sheltered Manuel Antonio cove prized for calmer swimming and kayak/snorkel trips.

7.0

2

Playa Espadilla

Main public beach for Manuel Antonio with wide sand, surf lessons, sunsets, and easy services.

7.0

3

Playa Espadilla Sur

The national-park side of Espadilla, quieter and more natural than the town-facing beach.

7.0

4

Playa Gemelas

A pair of compact park coves with a more intimate feel than the main Manuel Antonio beach.

7.0

5

Playa La Vaca

A small local cove near Manuel Antonio that generic beach lists often overlook.

7.0

6

Playa Manuel Antonio

The signature national-park beach and one of Costa Rica’s most searched coastal landmarks.

7.0

7

Playa Pará

Small tucked-away cove near Manuel Antonio often missed by casual visitors

7.0

8

Playa Playitas

A well-known north-end Manuel Antonio beach with surf culture and an alternative local identity.

7.0

9

Playa Puerto Escondido

A secluded park beach that rewards visitors willing to go beyond the headline beaches.

7.0

10

Playa Tulemar

A semi-private resort cove with real beach identity and high-value luxury travel relevance.

7.0

What makes Manuel Antonio's beaches stand out?

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.