Air Boat Tours
Skim over clear Pacific waters in an ultralight “flying” boat, which offers a unique opportunity to enjoy the sun and scenery. Flying boat adventures visit the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park and the mangrove estuaries of Damas Island. Tours depart from the Quepos estuary.
ATV Tours
Discover the cattle farms and African palm plantations that surround Quepos and Manuel Antonio on an all-terrain vehicle. Half-day excursions often include a pit stop in the town of Londres, where drivers can cool off in the peaceful Naranjo River. MidWorld park offers the area's only fully-automatic ATVs.
Bird & Wildlife Watching
Manuel Antonio National Park is the perfect base to begin your wildlife encounters. Travelers are likely to observe coatimundis, white-faced and howler monkeys, iguanas and sloths along the park’s easy trails. Help support the local economy by hiring a naturalist guide to tour the park – the guides are well-versed in native flora and fauna.
Boating & Kayaking
Paddle out to Damas Island, famous for its beautiful mangrove forests and resident wildlife. Boat and kayak tours travel through the island's estuary and backwater canals, and can be booked at night for a chance to spot the area's nocturnal creatures. For the more adventurous, sea kayak tours are available as well. Half-day trips include a challenging ocean paddle near Biesanz Bay. For self-guided tours to Isla Larga, kayaks can be rented near Playa Espadilla’s lifeguard stand.
Canopy Tours 
Feel your adrenaline pumping on one of Manuel Antonio’s canopy tours. The most popular has ten zip lines, 18 platforms and a Tarzan swing. Fly 100 feet above the ground on cables that span up to 1,640 feet. A suspension bridge, butterfly garden and serpentarium are added attractions. Try it again after dark for even more thrills. MidWorld features Costa Rica's longest Superman cable, at more than a half-mile long, allowing you to soar over the Canas River and through the treetops at lightening speeds.
Caving
Explore the stalactites and stalagmites of the Damas Island caves. Part of an 800-acre private reserve, the caverns are known for their hidden pools and 90-foot cathedral ceilings. Morning and afternoon spelunking tours are available.
Gambling
Casino fans can try their luck at Byblos Resort and Casino, Hotel and Casino Kamuk, and Divisamar. Popular games include Texas hold-em, mini-baccarat, blackjack, slot machines and roulette.
High Ropes Puzzle Course
Test your courage and dexterity on one of the country's only high-ropes courses. This challenging adventure blends game bridges, rappelling, a monkey climb and an exhilarating Tarzan swing.
Hiking
The well-marked trails of Manuel Antonio National Park offer excellent options for both novice and seasoned hikers. Over 4,500 feet of paths can be traversed at Fincas Naturales Butterfly and Tropical Gardens. Night treks are available by reservation.
Horseback Riding
Guided horseback trips are a fun way to explore the rainforests and mountains in the area. Most half-day excursions include a picnic lunch and a visit to local waterfalls for an energizing swim. Overnight trips can also be arranged.
Jet Skis
Guided jet ski adventures explore isolated bays, beaches and islands – tours last approximately two and a half hours.  Sunset excursions are also available.  Look for companies that use environmentally friendly, clean and quiet four-stroke engines.
Mountain Biking
Rent a bike for tooling around town, or participate in a guided mountain biking tour that visits neighboring farming communities, like Villanueva. Moderate rides last two hours, while expert rides continue for up to four hours, tackling 17 miles of challenging terrain and a river crossing.
Parasailing
Soar 600 feet above Manuel Antonio’s gorgeous beaches on an unforgettable parasailing tour. Flights depart from Manuel Antonio’s lifeguard stand and last up to half an hour. Try it with a friend – double harnesses are available if combined weight is less than 220 pounds.
Spas
A handful of upscale day spas can be found in Manuel Antonio. Travelers can indulge in natural treatments using tropical fruits, therapeutic hot stones and organic products. Facials, aromatherapy, body scrubs and aloe treatments are offered for all skin types.
Study Spanish
Quepos and Manuel Antonio are home to many Spanish schools. Most feature month-long intensive programs that include homestays with local families. Students receive four hours of classes per day, five days a week. They can also participate in cultural activities such as salsa dancing and cooking classes.
Sailing
Beautiful catamarans set sail on a daily basis from the pier in Quepos.  In addition to sunset tours, some outfits specialize in half-day cruises that include snorkeling, dolphin watching, and a fresh seafood lunch with open bar.  Keep an eye out for spotted dolphins, humpback whales and sea turtles.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Snorkeling tours are usually half-day excursions aboard catamarans that include dolphin watching and fresh lunches in addition to underwater explorations. Snorkeling gear can be rented for $15 per day from many shops in town.
There are two scuba diving companies in Quepos, and both provide courses ranging from discovery dives to advanced open water and specialty certifications.  Live coral reefs can be found at Punta Gorda.  (Most of the area’s inshore coral reefs were destroyed in a hurricane over 40 years ago, so coral is uncommon in the shallower waters of the Central Pacific.)

Hookah diving – diving with a long hose instead of a tank of compressed air – is also available in Manuel Antonio. Non-certified divers can descend up to 20 feet, and certified divers up to 80 feet.
Sport Fishing
Inshore sport fishing is wonderful year-round and targets roosterfish, snapper, snook and mackerel. Deep sea fishing – up to 37 miles offshore – is at its prime from late November through early May, when anglers troll the ocean for Pacific sailfish, marlin, mahi mahi, tuna and wahoo.

January and February are the best months to land sailfish and marlin, which are catch-and-release only. Trips depart from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos – Costa Rica's largest full-service marina, with more than 100 floating slips. Charters can be arranged from $450 for a half-day to $1400 for a full day of fishing.
Surfing
Several surf shops provide board rentals and surf classes. Official surf schools offer lessons and excursions to other hot surf breaks in the area. Boards can be rented for around $25 per day, or $5 an hour. There are often good beginner and intermediate breaks along Manuel Antonio's public stretch of beach, particularly in front of restaurant Mar y Sombra. When there is a large swell, intermediate to advanced surfers will enjoy the waves at Playa Playita – although the less experienced should stick to the outer breaks. Advanced surfers might also try Playa Del Rey, seven miles south of Quepos.
Ultralight Tour
Get a birds-eye view of the area’s palm plantations, bays and marshes on a thrilling ultralight flight. Tours depart from the Quepos airport and last about 20 minutes.
Waterfall Rappelling
Rappel down the face of a waterfall on this adrenaline-fueled adventure sport. Hike into a rainforest canyon where you'll zoom down the 90-foot Indian Waterfalls, using climbing gear and techniques. Half-day tours to Naranjito on the outskirts of Quepos includes transportation and breakfast.
Waterskiing & Wakeboarding
Learn to glide along the water like a pro with 30 and 60-minute waterskiing and wakeboarding excursions. Tours include equipment, instructor and a boat ride through Manuel Antonio’s picturesque bays.
Whitewater Rafting
Seven and 13-mile adventures down the Naranjo and Savegre rivers are available from the Manuel Antonio area.  River runners can enjoy Class II to IV rapids on a variety of trips ranging from half to multi-day or even multi-week adventures. Photographers in speedy kayaks paddle ahead to snap photographs of each raft as it slices through the rapids. Kingfishers, toucans and wild horses are often spotted along the riverbank.