Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica
Coconut Palms, White Sand Beaches, Tree Hanging Sloths and Monkeys
Oct 30, 2008
Located on the Central Pacific Coast Manual Antonio National Park and the surrounding coastline is dotted with beach resorts where visitors flock to chill out in the sun or ride the wild surf.
The beautiful beaches make the Park a top tourist attraction and it receives many visitors. Manuel Antonio village near the Park is a tourist resort with cocktail bars, souvenir shops and tour agencies. Despite all this once inside the Park many animals are easily seen, especially monkeys and sloths.
Manuel Antonio History
The Park was created in 1972 and encompasses 1625 ha. The landscape is spectacular with rainforest fringed pristine beaches and headlands with views across the sea to some islands.
Manuel Antonio Wildlife
There are a lot of monkeys in the Park, the most common is the white faced capuchin but howler monkeys are also plentiful and the cute squirrel monkey is also seen. The squirrel monkey is threatened and Manuel Antonio is one of the few places they can still be found.
Sloths, agoutis, peccaries, coatis, raccoons and armadillos are also present as well as a variety of reptiles, particularly lizards basking in the sun everywhere. There are also over 350 species of birds.
Manuel Antonio Trails & Tours
After the Park entrance the La Trampa Trail leads to 2 beautiful beaches, Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio and a lookout called Cathedral Point. Further on Serrucho Point trail climbs to a lookout with spectacular views of Escondido Beach below and a second trail, Gemelos Escondido, leads to Gemelos Beach.
These main trails are not very demanding and are quite short. They are also well marked and well maintained.
On the La Trampa trail in the morning many sloths can be seen, grey balls of fluff hanging motionless from the highest branches. By afternoon they have, very slowly, moved on. Once at Espadilla Sur beach the beautiful coconut tree lined coastal trail leads up to the lookout at Cathedral Point. White faced capuchin monkeys are a very common and amusing sight.
Tour guides are available and all guides are members of Aguila (an association approved by the park service). This ensures only good quality multilingual guides are permitted to operate inside the Park. As wildlife can be difficult to spot hiring a guide usually greatly increases sightings.
Manuel Antonio Park Facilities & Costs
The beaches are popular spots to picnic and swim; toilets, showers and drinking water are available nearby. Park entrance fee is US$10 per person. Children under 12 free. Hours: 7am to 4pm. Closed Mondays.
Accommodation
There is a full range of accommodation in nearby Quepos or in the village of Manuel Antonio.
Getting to Manuel Antonio
The Park is in the province of Puntareanas, 157 km south of the capital San Jose and 7 km from Quepos where flights land. Public buses from San Jose to Quepos take about 4 hours, however most people rent a car.
When to Visit Manuel Antonio
The high season, also the dry season, is from December to April. December to February and Easter are very busy at the beach towns. The early rainy season, May to July, is a good time to visit to avoid the crowds.
What to Bring
The average temperature is 27C so sun protection and water is essential. Insect repellent is also a good idea as well as binoculars.
Other National Parks in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is famous for its diversity of species. Other national parks include the remote Corcovado National Park, the popular cloud forest parks of Monteverde and Santa Helena and Carara, a birdwatchers paradise.
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