Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica, a community only 5 miles (8 km) from the port town of Quepos on the Central Pacific coast attracts many of the tourists that visit Costa Rica every year. Manuel Antonio's most well known asset is Manuel Antonio National Park and Manuel Antonio Beach inside. Although this is one of the most popular national parks in Costa Rica it is also the smallest.

This National Park is 1,685 acres (682 hectares) in area but in it you will find amazing beaches, lush rainforest, abundant wildlife and a group of islands offshore. The four pristine beaches in the park live up to their reputation. White sands are bordered by lavish vegetation. Hotels on the mountainside overlooking the beaches offer breath taking views. The park also includes a network of trails that will guide you through an amazing humid tropical rain forest. Howler monkeys bounding from branch to branch, sloth peacefully hanging form branches and macaws flapping by make it a lovely hike.

From Quepos to Manuel Antonio the park buses run constantly along the 2.5 mile (4 km) paved road. Along the way you will find hotels strategically located on the hills offering breath taking views of the Pacific Ocean. International food restaurants stand along the road serving delicious dishes and offering "cabinas"�, or small apartment hotels for Costa Rican vacationers. You can also take a taxi; try to travel as a group to reduce the costs. Once you get to Manuel Antonio, at the park's entrance you will find numerous activities available to you.

Vendors offer different types of tours such as scuba diving tours, canopy tours, fishing tours, ATV rentals and local guides offer their professional services to walk you through the park. In addition, rafting, dolphin watching trips and sailing excursions are available here. The land that today makes up the National Park was bought by an American in 1968. This person protected the entrance to his property but the locals objected to this measure. Since the law in the country grants beach access to all, the municipal council ruled that access to the Manuel Antonio beaches had to remain open.

In 1972 an investor had the idea of constructing a resort in the area and this triggered the locals to lobby to create a national park. The government expropriated the land and created the National Park in November 1972. There are several signs warning you not to feed the monkeys since recent studies show that they are prone to high cholesterol levels when fed "human"� processed food like sandwiches or chips.

Many hotels in this area have joined efforts to protect the wildlife that supports the tourist industry in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica. View the different facilities we offer in this unique area of Costa Rica by clicking on the links above, and please don't hesitate to contact one of our travel agents who can help you make all reservations online.