Manuel Antonio National Park Photo Gallery

JacoHotels.com Staff

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Manuel Antonio Photo Gallery attached to article on right

Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica's Central Pacific only 1 hour from Jaco, 4 miles south of the sport fishing town of Quepos and 110 miles (4 hours) south of San Jose. This Costa Rica National Park covers 1700 acres of land and 135,905 acres of marine area and was founded in November 15, 1972.

Manuel Antonio National Park is located at the end of the paved road that loops through Manuel Antonio village. Second only to Poas Volcano National Park in terms of visitors, Manuel Antonio National Park attracts over 160,000 people each year. Enjoy beautiful, clean, wide beaches where you can spot different kinds of monkeys that frequent the area. The white face capuchin monkeys will frequent the beaches and won't hesitate to steal your lunch or get into your backpack - be forewarned. Manuel Antonio park consists of mangrove swamps, primary rainforests and marshy woodlands and is bordered by the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is a haven for over 100 mammal species including the highly endangered squirrel monkey, or mono titi. This is by far the cutest and one of my favorite monkeys.

The park has white sand beaches ideal for swimming, and forest trails along the coast with breathtaking lookout points. This Central Pacific area is one of the best places in Costa Rica for viewing wildlife. The local association of licensed tour guides is located just outside the park entrance. Visitors can hire their own naturalist guide for around $20 per person to tour the national park – the guides are well-versed in native flora and fauna, and the income helps support the local economy.

There are several islands within the park’s boundaries that serve as important nesting grounds for birds like the brown booby, frigate bird and anhinga. The shores are also occasional nesting grounds for Olive Ridley and Pacific green turtles.

At the entrance to Manuel Antonio village are several parking attendants blowing whistles and waving visitors into the first public parking lot. It is an intimidating feeling, and drivers unfamiliar with the area think this is a mandatory parking stop. However, up the road and around the loop is another parking lot on the right. This parking area is closer to the park entrance and costs only ¢1000 ($2).

The park is accessed by crossing the Camaronera stream that varies in depth from ankle to knee-deep. Visitors can opt to take a water taxi across this stream (for a small fee of $1) or hop along the rocks as the stream is passable, even at high tide.