Jungle Night, Entrance Fee Included

Overview

This is a roughly two hour and forty minute night walk through the jungle around Manuel Antonio and Quepos, run by Chocolate Tour Manuel Antonio. You meet at Manuel Antonio Beach in Quepos, travel a short distance by air-conditioned vehicle to the walk's starting point, then follow a guide with a flashlight through the forest after dark. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

The focus is on the creatures that come out at night: reviewers described snakes, bugs, frogs, lizards and even a venomous spider, and one traveller said they saw animals they had missed on earlier hikes in Tortuguero, Monteverde and Corcovado. Another noted it offers a completely different perspective from a daytime walk in the same area.

Only gratuities are extra. Groups are capped at eight travellers. Most people can take part, including families with infants, though the route is not wheelchair accessible. It suits anyone curious about nocturnal wildlife who does not mind being out in the dark, and possibly the rain, for a few hours.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Drive to the walk siteFrom the meeting point the group travels a short distance by air-conditioned vehicle to the final destination for the night walk.
2. Guided night jungle walkThe guided walk runs with a maximum of eight travellers. The guide supplies flashlights and points out nocturnal animals along the route.
3. Return to the meeting pointThe activity ends back at Manuel Antonio Beach, the same place it started.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk.

• What to bring. Flashlights are provided, so you do not need your own. Gratuities are not included. Reviewers came away with a lot of photos, so a camera or phone that handles low light is worth carrying.
• Weather and rain. The experience requires good weather, and one reviewer did the walk in pouring rain and still saw plenty of animals. If the operator cancels for weather, a different date or a full refund is offered.
• Fitness and pace. The listing says most travellers can participate, and the walk lasts about two hours and forty minutes. No particular fitness level is mentioned as required.
• Group size. There is a maximum of eight travellers per departure. Reviews describe attentive guides who spotted small creatures for the whole group.
• Wildlife sightings. One traveller reported seeing animals they had missed on daytime hikes elsewhere in Costa Rica. Reviewers mentioned snakes, frogs, insects, spiders and lizards, though nothing is guaranteed on any given night.
• Photos. Reviewers said they got many beautiful pictures, and one praised their guide's photography and video skills. A camera or phone that performs well in low light will help you capture what the guide finds.

Common issues. One reviewer pointed out that despite what the booking page implied, the walk does not take place inside Manuel Antonio National Park but outside it, similar to lower-priced tours, so do not book expecting a national park interior. The tour can be cancelled for poor weather or if a minimum number of travellers is not met, with a different date, a different experience or a full refund offered in those cases. The route is not wheelchair accessible, though pushchairs can be accommodated and infant seats are available. Gratuities are not included. Confirmation can take up to 48 hours after booking, subject to availability.

Common Questions