No other destination in Costa Rica has received more international attention than Manuel Antonio. Many first-time visitors to Costa Rica plan their vacation around seeing it, and it's no surprise why. The views from the hills overlooking Manuel Antonio are spectacular, the beaches are idyllic, and its jungles are crawling with howler, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys, among other forms of exotic wildlife.
On the flip side you’ll have to share the splendor of the area with many other travelers, who have planned their visit to Costa Rica around visiting this popular and beautiful place, and even though development to accomodate this popularity is leaving a foot print, this remains one of the most beautiful locations in the entire country if not in the world.
Gazing out over the blue Pacific out to the horizon from the green tropical landscape of the hillsides, dotted with luxury accommodations and great dining establishments that peek out over the tree tops, it's almost impossible to hold back a gasp of delight. Offshore, rocky islands speckle the vast expanse of the Pacific, and in the foreground, the rich, deep green of the rainforest flows down to embrace the sandy shoreline & blue ocean water. Even the amateur photographer can’t help but shoot a postcard postcard-perfect snapshot. It's this whimsical view that keeps people fixed like patio furniture on the decks, patios, and balconies of the luxury residences & hotels throughout the area.
One of the most popular national parks in the country, Manuel Antonio offers several nearly perfect small beaches all connected by trails that weave through the rainforest. The mountains surrounding the beaches rise as you head inland from the water and you can se the residences and hotels peeking through the trees, however, the he park was created to preserve not its beautiful beaches but its forests, home to squirrel & whotefaced monkeys, three-toed sloths, congo monkeys and hundreds of other species of birds, other mammals, and plantlife.
If you're traveling on a rock-bottom budget or are mainly interested in sport fishing, you might end up staying in the nearby town of Quepos (3 miles away), which was once a quiet banana port; the land to the north was used by Chiquita to grow its bananas and now the land is planted primarily with African oil-palm trees.
Increasingly, Quepos is filling up with a wide variety of restaurants, souvenir and crafts shops, and lively bars for you to enjoy as well as a new 300 slip world class Marina being developed in the old banana port area.
Manuel Antonio is a fabulous destination with a wealth of activities and attractions for all types and all ages. If you plan carefully, you can avoid the peak months (Dec-Mar), & you'll miss most of the crowds. If you must come during the peak months, remeber that weekends the beach is packed with Costa Rican families who love the area as well. It's always best to visit the park early in the morning to miss the crowds that begin to show up at midday. IAnd this way you can spend the afternoon lounging by your pool or on your terrace, taking in ther increadible views and enjoying the cool sea breezes.
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