Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica — A Mini Paradise in Central America

Manuel Antonio Countrywide Park is residence to 109 species of mammals, 184 species of birds, and an uncountable wide range of reptiles, bugs and crops. It is difficult to wander extremely much in the park without encountering some of its fascinating wildlife. On top of that, Manuel Antonio Countrywide Park presents stunning views of the ocean and close by islands. We are far from by yourself in taking into consideration it 1 of the more beautiful places on Earth.

Just outside of the park is a big, white sand seashore prized by surfers, swimmers and solar-worshippers alike. The seashore delivers a assortment of things to do, like Jet ski rentals, Banana boat rides, and mangrove tours.

From the North conclusion of the beach front, the area’s curvy but properly maintained major highway prospects up a steep hill. About two and a fifty percent kilometers (about 1.6 miles) up the hill, many dining places give a watch of a person of the most amazing sunsets on the planet. This complete space is total of resorts, dining establishments and bars and casinos providing an lively evening lifetime to individuals who want it.

Still further more North is the city of Quepos, famous typically for its sport fishing. The most affordable accommodations in the place are readily available listed here, together with various area dining places and quite a few tour functions.

Buses run on the major road from the city of Quepos to the Park every 50 percent hour concerning 6:00AM and 7:00PM, and each hour concerning 7:00PM and 10:00PM. The ride prices close to 100 colones (all around .20 -.25 cents U.S.).

Issues you ought to know about Manuel Antonio National Park:

Manuel Antonio Countrywide Park is household to 109 species of mammals, 184 species of birds, and an uncountable range of reptiles, bugs and plants. It is hard to wander extremely significantly in the park devoid of encountering some of its intriguing wildlife. Moreover, Manuel Antonio National Park features breathtaking sights of the ocean and close by islands. We are far from alone in thinking of it just one of the extra beautiful places on Earth.

Just outdoors of the park is a huge, white sand beach prized by surfers, swimmers and sunworshippers alike. The beach front features a wide range of routines, such as Jet ski rentals [http://majetskis.com], Banana boat rides, and mangrove tours.

From the North end of the seashore, the area’s curvy but very well maintained major street prospects up a steep hill. About two and a fifty percent kilometers (about 1.6 miles) up the hill, various dining establishments give a check out of a person of the most magnificent sunsets on the planet. This overall area is whole of motels, places to eat and bars and casinos providing an energetic night everyday living to those people who want it.

Nonetheless further North is the city of Quepos, well known generally for its activity fishing. The most affordable accommodations in the location are available here, together with a number of neighborhood eating places and various tour functions.

Buses operate on the most important street from the town of Quepos to the Park each and every fifty percent hour in between 6:00AM and 7:00PM, and each and every hour among 7:00PM and 10:00PM. The trip fees approximately 100 colones (close to .20 -.25 cents U.S.).

Factors you should know about Manuel Antonio National Park:

  • The most secluded and most lovely beaches in Manuel Antonio are in the Park alone. There are two of them and the two are easily available from the Park’s entrance. The a person nearer to the entrance is usually emptier, but the a lot more crowded, farther beach – continue to only a five moment wander from the entrance – surrounds a cove, which presents remarkably nevertheless drinking water.
  • The Park is shut on Mondays and as a result, the seaside exterior the Park tends to be pretty empty on Mondays. So, if the Park is on your agenda, you may possibly not want to involve a Monday remain in Manuel Antonio. But if you want to take pleasure in the beach with a significantly smaller crowd, you could want to go out of your way to be sure to be there on a Monday.
  • If you are in mildly very good condition, you ought to be ready to address all the key trails in the park in about two days. If you are in not so wonderful condition, while, you can expect to want to keep away from some of the more time trails as they all are likely to get relatively complicated at some stage.
  • The park offers several bogs and even cold water, low pressure showers. However, there is no food items out there within the park. There are many beach front dining establishments in just a 5 minute stroll of the Park’s entrance having said that, and your ticket entitles you to re-enter the Park for the complete working day. We do suggest that if you program on paying the day in the Park, you are very well recommended to bring some lunch. But be absolutely sure to keep your eye on it as the monkeys are always wanting for a thing to consume.

Factors you should really know about the areas exterior the park:

  • The sunset from the best of the hill amongst Quepos and the Park is amongst the most impressive we have ever witnessed. The two greatest areas to see it are Barba Roja, a restaurant/bar, and the pool at Hotel Mariposa. If you are not remaining at the Mariposa, you can nevertheless appreciate the sunset at their pool though ordering a cocktail from their pool bar.
  • Manuel Antonio has grow to be a closely frequented location. The region offers dozens of inns and resorts which are commonly marketed out. As a result, prices are higher here than in most of the place. Having said that, there are low-cost foods continue to to be had, mainly notably in Quepos. Our advice: “Bar Restaurante Quepoa” a big regional cafe and pizzeria throughout from the bus station in Quepos.
  • A further consequence of the massive vacationer existence in Manuel Antonio is the existence of prostitution (legal in all of Costa Rica), medicines (not lawful in Costa Rica), and crime. The very first two only demonstrate themselves at evening, and primarily in the city of Quepos. Crime, though, is a pretty serious danger, so keep an eye on your possessions at all moments.

Finding to Manuel Antonio from Santa Maria Airport in San Jose:

  • By Air: Two airways will fly you from San Jose to Manuel Antonio: Sansa (011-506-290-4100) and Nature Air (800-235-9272). The flight usually takes about a half an hour and charges all over $53 U.S. just about every way. Bear in mind that the luggage constraints on these airlines is all-around 25 lbs., which would make them a non-solutions for those people traveling with a good deal of baggage.
  • By Non-public or Semi-Personal Transportation: There are a lot of private and semi-private shuttles and Taxis from the airport to Manuel Antonio. You can usually seek the services of these at the airport. The ride normally takes 3-4 several hours based on street disorders and fees around $215 U.S. for a personal transportation (irrespective of the number of people today), and $30 per human being for a semi-non-public.
  • By Community Bus: There are direct buses that leave from the main bus terminal (named “Coca Cola”) in San José 3 moments a day. In addition to the direct buses, there are also indirect buses that make many stops along the way. An gain to this bus is that you can also pick it up together the way, just in circumstance you are not starting out in San Jose. Please notice that this is a a lot for a longer period trip and can take upwards of 4-4 1/2 hours. You need to know that Coca Cola is the pickpocket cash of Costa Rica. It is important to continue to keep your eyes on your factors at all periods, both equally when waiting around for the bus as effectively as when you are on it. Be sure to retain all your pertinent documents (i.e. passport, licence, funds etc. . .) on your particular person at all occasions and do not retail outlet them with your baggage under the bus.
  • By Automobile: If you hire a motor vehicle at the airport, you can get to Manuel Antonio in about 3-4 several hours, like the non-public transports. From the airport, take the Pan-American Highway west around 10KM to the Atenas exit. Exit ideal off the street at the Atenas – Orotina signal and convert remaining crossing more than the highway continuing by the scenic mountains through La Garita, Atentas and previous Orotina. You will push as a result of the mountains for about a single hour when you get to the city of San Mateo abide by the indicators to Jaco, Parrita, and then Quepos (the town just north of Manuel Antonio)