One Night in Manuel Antonio Area

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litchity
litchity

I know this forum thoroughly despises the Manuel Antonio Park, but I'm looking for some creative suggestions of things to do, even if it means skipping the park altogether to see some of the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, due to my friend needing to be in Jaco at the end of our trip, we elected to spend a night in Manuel Antonio, so I can fly out early the next day to SJO.

We are coming from Uvita and will be spending Wednesday night (4/20) in Manuel Antonio. Everywhere on the internet raved about Manuel Antonio, but the more I'm reading here, it sounds like a huge trap. I'm young, do not enjoy families traveling with kids, and I am not going to Costa Rica to see a 'natural zoo'. Looking for stuff that is at least a little off the beaten path (e.g. no huge crowds or swarms of people trying to sell me junk food or trashy souvenirs - get enough of that here in Mexico).

Would I be better off doing a snorkeling excursion or a surf day? Anything we can travel to inland? Also, worth mentioning that we won't have a car. And as a last resort, we will spend more time in Uvita and try to hit the Manuel Antonio Park later in the day before it closes at 4pm.

Thanks!

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byronolson
byronolson

I am guessing you are traveling via bus Uvita > Jaco and San Jose and plan a one night stop Manuel Antonio. Quepos is the town where you get off the bus and transfer to MA. I would find a place in Quepos, and if time allows, take a bus (local) just about anytime over the hill to MA

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mrmoto
mrmoto

Manual Antonio is not bad, its actually, very nice, has a great feel and lots of lodges, cafes and Quepos is sort of cool at night, its just touristy, and not worth going out of the way for, but if its one the way, go enjoy it, hike the park in early morning before others, and when the animal life is active. Enjoy the beaches in the park too.

Snorkeling on the Pacific side is extremely limiting, best is Bellena at Low Tide....

Adventure Travel to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, EU, USA National Parks, enjoying culture, cuisine, motorcycling, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, rafting, hiking, fishing, camping, nature, wildlife. Get a Guidebook, and get lost!
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