Wildlife & beaches
Central Pacific · Costa Rica
Costa Rica Destinations | Manuel Antonio, Jacó & San José
Three gateways, one unforgettable coast. Whether you want sloths and rainforest beaches, a buzzing surf town, or an easy day trip from the capital, here's how to choose your base, and the best tours from each.
Plan your trip
Where to stay on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast
Tucanes Tours is based in the Manuel Antonio & Jacó region, so we know these areas inside out. Manuel Antonio is the wildlife-and-beach favourite, Jacó is the lively surf hub packed with adventure, and San José is the convenient capital springboard for day trips south. Pick a destination below to see the experiences that make each one special.
Good to know
Choosing your Costa Rica destination, FAQ
The questions we hear most from travellers deciding where to base themselves on the Central Pacific.
Both are excellent. Manuel Antonio is calmer and more scenic, ideal if wildlife, rainforest and quiet beaches are your priority. Jacó is bigger and livelier, with more nightlife, surf and a wider spread of adventure tours. Many travellers split a week between the two, they're only about an hour apart by road.
San José sits in the Central Valley, roughly 2.5-3 hours from Jacó and about 3-3.5 hours from Manuel Antonio by car. It's the main international gateway, so most trips start there. If you're short on time you can also join one of our long day tours that depart from San José.
Yes. We offer door-to-door hotel pickup throughout the Manuel Antonio / Quepos and Jacó / Herradura / Los Sueños areas, and many of our tours have dedicated San José departures. Tell us where you're staying and we'll confirm the right pickup option.
Manuel Antonio is the classic family pick, short, easy national park trails, gentle swimming beaches and reliable wildlife sightings. Jacó also works well for active families thanks to its surf lessons and beginner-friendly adventure tours.
Yes, we run tours from all three areas every month of the year. The dry season (December-April) brings the most sunshine, while the green season (May-November) is lusher, quieter and often better value, with rain usually arriving in short afternoon bursts.
Travel inspiration
From the blog: getting to know the Central Pacific
Planning where to go and how to get there? These guides help you map out your Costa Rica trip.
Area guide
Things to Do in Manuel Antonio, Jacó & Quepos
The complete Central Pacific bucket list, beaches, wildlife and adventure in one guide.
Transport
How to Get to Quepos & Manuel Antonio from San José
Buses, shuttles, flights and rental cars compared, the easiest route to the coast.
Destination
Why Jacó Is the Central Pacific's Best Adventure Base
Rafting, ziplines, mangroves and a quick hop to Manuel Antonio, all from one town.
New to the region? Start with our full list of Costa Rica tours, or read the official Costa Rica Tourism Board travel guide.
Still deciding where to base your trip?
Tell us your dates, who's coming and what you love, we'll recommend the best destination and build the perfect Costa Rica day for you.
