11 Fun Things To Do In Manuel Antonio At Night (2025)
Are you looking for a last minute list of things to do in Manuel Antonio at night? If so, this article’s for you.
Manuel Antonio has everything, from white sand beaches to wildlife watching opportunities, waterfalls, and tons of excursions to offer. It was by far my favorite area I stayed in Costa Rica, and where I felt safest as a solo traveler!
This article will cover all of the best things to do in the evening, from spa passes to night time jungle hiking tours.
Here are 11 fun and unique things to do in Manuel Antonio at night.
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1. Go On A Guided Night Jungle Walk
One of the best things to do in the Manuel Antonio area is to go on a night time guided hiking tour of Rainmaker Park.
This is a 3,000 acre private rainforest reserve located a half hour north of Manuel Antonio National Park, with an incredible diversity of tree frogs and insects.
On their night walk, you’ll get to spot everything from tree frogs to sleeping birds, spiders, and more. Their tour also includes a traditional Costa Rican dinner, and roundtrip transportation from hotels in Manuel Antonio.
2. Have A Sunset Dinner Overlooking The Coast
Many of the restaurants in Manuel Antonio are perched on a hill, overlooking the coast, so they’re perfect for a sunset dinner.
As the sun starts to set, head to El Avion or the Le Papillon restaurant to enjoy dinner with an unbeatable view of the coast.
El Avion is a unique restaurant and tiki bar, built into an old airplane, with a breathtaking view of the coast.
I visited El Avion during the day, and got to saw capuchin monkeys climb up on the patio!
Le Papillon restaurant is a fine-dining seafood restaurant in the same area as El Avion with an equally beautiful sunset view.
3. Go On A Sunset Cruise
For the most amazing sunset views, go on a sunset cruise in Manuel Antonio. You’ll get to enjoy cocktails and dinner on board, and cruise to Biesanz beach for an evening of snorkeling.
This is the perfect activity for the whole family, and you’ll get to spot whales, dolphins, and many diverse species of birds.
4. Get A Day Pass To A Spa Resort
Spend the evening relaxing in a luxurious pool or spa by getting a day pass to one of Manuel Antonio’s resorts!
Manuel Antonio has many upscale resorts with full-service spas that offer everything from facials to couples massages.
Here are some of the spa resorts in Manuel Antonio that offer day passes.
- Makanda: Infinity pool lounge pass or Shanti Spa pass
- Shana By The Beach: Wellness spa pass
- La Mariposa: Infinity pool lounge pass with sunset bar (next to Le Papillon restaurant)
- Si Como No Resort: Wellness spa and pool lounge pass
- Villa Roca Resort: Spa and infinity pool pass
5. Explore Mangrove Forests At Night
If you’re up for an adventure, join a night time boat tour to explore the mangrove forests of Damas Island.
You’ll get to learn about the diverse ecosystem of mangrove forests, and spot everything from owls to baby crocodiles!
The tours include dinner, and roundtrip transportation from hotels in Manuel Antonio.
6. Stroll Around Parque Nahomi
During golden hour, head to Parque Nahomi to stroll around and enjoy sunset views.
This is a small oceanfront park near Manuel Antonio’s marina, with grassy areas, picnic tables, gym equipment, and a large “Pura Vida” sign you can take a picture in front of.
It’s a popular park for locals to relax at, and it’s completely free to visit!
7. Tour A Chocolate Farm
If you love chocolate, go on an evening farm tour to learn how coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane are grown and produced.
This is a small local farm located 10 minutes outside of Manuel Antonio National Park, and their latest tours begin at 3pm.
On their tour, you’ll get to learn how to prepare Costa Rican pour over coffee, Aztec hot chocolate, and more! The latest tours begin at 3pm, and they’re located 10 minutes outside of Manuel Antonio Park.
8. Hike El Miro During Sunset
For a beautiful view of Jaco’s coastline during sunset, hike El Miro. This is a short trail to an abandoned mansion perched on a hill in Jaco, with stairs, arches, and multiple observation decks.
The trailhead for the hike is located on the opposite side of the street as the “Mirador de Jaco”, where you see the colorful Jaco sign. It’s around a 20 minute hike each way, and from the observation deck, you’ll have an amazing view of the rugged coast.
Just remember to not leave any valuables in your car, and give yourself at least an hour before sunset so you have plenty of daylight!
9. Visit Los Sueños Adventure Park
Los Sueños Adventure Park is a popular adventure park near Jaco Beach, a little over an hour’s drive from Manuel Antonio.
They offer everything from jungle horseback riding to dune buggy tours, and their latest tours start at around 3pm. If you’re looking to do an excursion in the evening, this is definitely the place to go.
10. Spend The Night At A Casino In Jaco
Jaco Beach is a lively surfing town with beach bars and casinos, around an hour’s drive from Manuel Antonio.
The most popular casinos are at the Croc’s Resort and Cocal Hotel, both of which are steps from the beach, and have onsite restaurants and bars.
11. Go On An Afternoon Crocodile Boat Tour
For an exciting evening activity, go on a boat tour of the Tarcoles River. This is a famous river with the highest concentration of crocodiles in Costa Rica.
They offer evening tours, where you’ll get to cruise along the river, and spot dozens of crocodiles up close.
If you’re not up for a boat tour, you can also park by the Tarcoles Bridge, to try and spot crocodiles swimming in the water. The Crocodile bridge and boat tours are around a 1.5 hour drive from Manuel Antonio.
Summary
Whether you want to go on a night time jungle hike, relax at a spa resort, or go gambling, Manuel Antonio truly has something for everyone.
For more ideas on how to spend your time in this region, check out our ideal 2 day Manuel Antonio itinerary!
Related articles you may be interested in:
- Ultimate 5 Day Costa Rica Itinerary
- How To Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls (Best Day Trip From Manuel Antonio)
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Manuel Antonio