The Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is the most popular protected area in Costa Rica, receiving more visitors than any of the other national parks, even though it's one of the country's smallest. Wander through tropical forests, mangroves and along postcard-perfect white-sand beaches, all while keeping your eyes peeled for the hordes of animals that call this park home.
History
Manuel Antonio National Park was born from community efforts. In the late 1960s, as plans for development appeared, local residents realized the need for conservation and began advocating for preservation of the zone. Their voices were heard, and in 1972 the government named 1685 acres of land the Parque Recreativo Nacional Playas de Manuel Antonio (National Recreation Park Beaches of Manuel Antonio), with another 151 acres added in 1984.
Wildlife
Manuel Antonio is home to nearly 350 unique plant species, 184 species of birds and 109 of mammals, with two- and three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws being some of the park's most popular. Also keep your eyes peeled for howler monkeys, titi monkeys, coati, agouti, toucans and white-tailed deer, along with plenty of marine life and corals if you remembered to bring your snorkel.
Guides & Tours
You don't need a guide to visit the park, but a knowledgeable guide (carrying a high-powered telescope) will enhance your experience, and even if you aren't part of a tour, you can easily hire a guide at the park's gate. While they're not officially the park's staff, guides stationed outside the entrance are specially licensed to work within its confines, and are extremely knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna.
Hiking Trails
The park has 11 trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels; at times, some may be closed for maintenance, especially in the rainy season. Others, like the Sendero La Catarata, which leads you to the park's only waterfall, are only worth taking during or just after the rainy season, as the waterfall dries up during the rest of the year.
One of the first habitats you'll see when entering the park are the mangroves, a salt and fresh-water habitat that covers about 18 hectares of the park. Keep your eyes peeled for the tiny red crabs scurrying as you walk along Sendero El Perezoso, a raised-walkway trail.
Beaches
There are four beaches within the park limits: Playa Espadilla Sur, Playa Manuel Antonio, Gemelas and Puerto Escondido.
Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio beach are the closest to the park's entrance, and are separated from each other by the tombolo, or natural land bridge. Both have tide pools and are considered good for snorkeling, although Espadilla Sur does have strong currents at times.
On Manuel Antonio beach, you'll find the remains of a semi-circle fish trap in the rocks, called La Trampa, formerly used by indigenous people for catching marine life. Further along, Gemelas beach is made of two gray rocky coves, while Puerto Escondido is a long, idyllic stretch of sand that's the furthest from the park's entrance.
Punta Catedral
Formerly an island, the tombolo turned Punta Catedral into a peninsula, and this little former island is great for views and monkey-spotting. There are three lookout points on the ocean side of Sendero Punta Catedral, the trail offering expansive sea views and, in season, the possibility of spotting a migrating humpback whale or two.
