The sea temperature at Manuel Antonio today is 30.3 °C (87 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 28.6 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea temperature has held at around 30.3 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 28 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.5°C / 83.4°F | 29.0°C / 84.3°F | 30.0°C / 85.9°F |
| February | 28.8°C / 83.9°F | 29.6°C / 85.2°F | 30.2°C / 86.4°F |
| March | 29.5°C / 85.1°F | 29.9°C / 85.7°F | 30.4°C / 86.8°F |
| April | 29.7°C / 85.4°F | 30.1°C / 86.2°F | 30.5°C / 86.9°F |
| May | 29.3°C / 84.8°F | 29.8°C / 85.7°F | 30.5°C / 86.8°F |
| June | 28.7°C / 83.6°F | 29.3°C / 84.8°F | 30.0°C / 85.9°F |
| July | 28.5°C / 83.2°F | 29.2°C / 84.6°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F |
| August | 28.9°C / 84.0°F | 29.3°C / 84.8°F | 30.1°C / 86.2°F |
| September | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 29.2°C / 84.5°F | 30.0°C / 85.9°F |
| October | 27.9°C / 82.3°F | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 29.5°C / 85.2°F |
| November | 27.6°C / 81.8°F | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 29.0°C / 84.3°F |
| December | 28.3°C / 82.9°F | 28.7°C / 83.6°F | 29.5°C / 85.0°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.8°C / 74.9°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 25.9°C / 78.7°F |
| February | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 25.4°C / 77.7°F | 26.4°C / 79.6°F |
| March | 24.6°C / 76.3°F | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F |
| April | 24.6°C / 76.3°F | 25.6°C / 78.1°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F |
| May | 24.5°C / 76.1°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.4°C / 79.5°F |
| June | 24.2°C / 75.5°F | 25.1°C / 77.2°F | 26.0°C / 78.7°F |
| July | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 25.2°C / 77.4°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F |
| August | 24.0°C / 75.3°F | 25.0°C / 77.1°F | 25.9°C / 78.5°F |
| September | 24.0°C / 75.3°F | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 25.7°C / 78.3°F |
| October | 23.8°C / 74.8°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F |
| November | 23.6°C / 74.5°F | 24.6°C / 76.2°F | 25.4°C / 77.7°F |
| December | 23.6°C / 74.6°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 26.0°C / 78.7°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Manuel Antonio holidays
Rainforest runs right down to the sand at Manuel Antonio, a national park and small resort area on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, about 7 km south of the port town of Quepos. Monkeys, sloths and iguanas live in the forest just behind the beaches.
Beaches
Inside Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Manuel Antonio is a calm, sheltered bay with pale sand and trees along its edge, suitable for swimming and for children, and nearby Playa Espadilla Sur is longer and more open. Outside the park, Playa Espadilla is a free public beach in front of Manuel Antonio village, with surf schools and sun loungers, but rip currents can be strong, so swim where lifeguards or flags indicate. Playa Biesanz, a small cove reached by a path from the hotel road, is a quieter spot for swimming and snorkelling.
Things to do
The trails of Manuel Antonio National Park lead through the forest to beaches and viewpoints; Punta Catedral is a former island joined to the mainland by a sandy tombolo, and it is worth checking which trails are open before visiting. Visitor numbers are limited, tickets are sold online and the park closes one day a week, so check current rules and opening days before you go; a local guide with a telescope helps to spot sloths and birds. From Quepos, catamaran trips sail along the coast, sport-fishing boats leave the Pez Vela marina, and kayak tours explore the mangroves at Isla Damas. Longer day trips go to the Nauyaca waterfalls near Dominical and to the Marino Ballena National Park at Uvita.
Weather and best time to visit
At Manuel Antonio the sea stays above 28 °C / 82 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
In Manuel Antonio, December to April is the dry season, with sunny days and the most visitors. From May to November the green season brings afternoon rain, heaviest in September and October, when some tours and roads can be affected. Mornings are usually the best time for wildlife in the park at any time of year.
Hotels and where to stay
Hotels in Manuel Antonio are spread along the hilly road between Quepos and the park entrance, many with views over the forest to the sea. Quepos, at the start of the road, has cheaper hotels, restaurants and the marina.
Signature hotels: Gaia Hotel & Reserve - Adults Only (Manuel Antonio)
Airport and getting there
Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP) has short domestic flights from San José, about 30 minutes in the air. By road, Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José is about 3 hours away, and Liberia (LIR) in the north-west roughly 5 to 6 hours or more, depending on traffic and stops. Shuttle buses and public buses run from San José to Quepos and Manuel Antonio.