Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica

Take a trip through the Manuel Antonio National Park with us...
Costa Rica'a first major ecotourist destination was Manuel Antonio, and it remains one of the country's most popular beach area destintations; composed of three long strands of magnificent white sand beach, bordered by rainforest on one side, and by the Pacific on the other. Overlooking these wide, pristine beaches are tall cliffs covered in thick jungle vegetation and the views from the hills overlooking Manuel Antonio are spectacular. In fact, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the few locations in Costa Rica where the primary forest comes down to the water’s edge in places, often allowing bathers to swim in the shade.

Pristine sandy beaches, cliffs, points, ravines, rainforests, diverse wildlife and an extremely hot climate are some of the features of Manuel Antonio Park. Manuel Antonio National Park is located just south of Jaco, along the pacific coastal highway, which makes it a highly accessible destination. One of the most popular parks in Costa Rica is also one the smallest. Although small, the park’s 683 hectares boast some of the country’s most varied and breathtaking scenery with ecological treasures on every hiking trail. Enclosed by lush and very wet tropical forest, the park’s trails offer sightings of white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas, snakes and many bird species. The park is also home to the Costa Rican squirrel monkey, which is endemic to Manuel Antonio, but also endangered. Manuel Antonio is a must for any traveler with an eco-conscience agenda.

Manuel Antonio National Park came very close to becoming a resort in the early ‘70’s, but was saved by various local eco-friendly interest groups. The park has become a popular destination for its picturesque beaches and diverse ecology and at one point started to become overcrowded. This problem was soon alleviated when park officials decided to enact a maximum number of visitors who would be allowed into the park each day.

Adventure opportunities are around every corner in Manuel Antonio. Surf shops offer rental boards for use on the local beaches, and provide lessons for beginning surfers. The sunset at Manuel Antonio is truly unbelievable and there are local guide outfits that provide sunset sailing tours for an extraordinary ‘sunset’ experience. Local dive centers give lessons and guide their guests to some of the most inaccessible yet pristinely beautiful places on the globe. Other scenic sites in Manuel Antonio are: the tombolo at Cathedral Point, a long, sandy strip that connects what was Cathedral Island to the mainland; the cove at Escondido Harbour with blue-green waters bordered by underwater caves and cliffs pounded by the surf; and the magnificent beaches where sometimes olive ridley and green turtles come to lay their eggs.

You can’t mention Manuel Antonio without mentioning its nightlife as it has numerous bars and nightclubs. The nightlife there can accommodate to anyone’s social interest as it’s one of the few places outside of San Jose that openly caters to its gay clientele. So, whether you want to drink late into the night at one of the local bars or discos or you’re looking to have a good conversation over a couple of drinks, you will be able to find it at Manuel Antonio.
Quepos
Quepos is a great option for visitors traveling on a budget as Manuel Antonio is right around the corner.
Quepos is a great option for visitors traveling on a budget as Manuel Antonio is right around the corner.

Once a significant banana shipping port, Quepos is now something of an inexpensive dormitory town to its more popular neighbor Manuel Antonio. This small diverse fishing town is located on the pacific coast, just 4 miles north of Manuel Antonio National Park. Often utilized by backpackers or travelers on a budget, Quepos provides many economical options for food and lodging accommodations.

Situated just four miles north of the nearby Manuel Antonio Park, this conveniently located sport fishing town is a natural meeting point for people planning to visit the park. Quepos offers numerous moderately priced lodging options for travelers. Several restaurants throughout Quepos offer visitors a taste of the local cuisine, and if you’re missing your trendy coffee bars and internet cafes, then they have those as well.

Quepos provides the traveler with places to party, with its many local bars, nightclubs, and discos that will cater to any nightlife interests. Of course, there are many local Spanish-speaking establishments, but at the same time there are also several foreign-owned English-speaking places too.

Located just north of Quepos is a hot spring and wilderness retreat that offers the weary traveler a chance to bathe in hot (120F) mineral waters to rejuvenate the mind and body. A trip to the springs is a truly unique experience that only a few are privy to.

Maybe you just want to visit Quepos in order to search for the seven hundred tons of gold supposedly buried there. Legend has it that a massive amount of gold was once exported by the church in order to escape being stolen by the infamous pirate, Henry Morgan. Unfortunately, or may be conveniently, all records of the treasure’s location were destroyed in a fire; concealing the whereabouts of the bullion. Local myth has it that the treasure was hidden somewhere in the area surrounding Quepos. Don’t forget your shovels.

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