... Manuel Antonio National Park ...
by Infocostarica Staff

Manuel Antonio is the right place to go if you want to see a beautiful national park in the beach and if you also want to be close to popular nightlife activities, such as fine dining or partying. The advantage of Manuel Antonio is that there’s an ample variety of cabins and hotels to choose from, that might be close to “town” or set in the lush and peaceful hillside. This park is only seven kilometers Southeast from Quepos, and it’s one of the most visited protected areas. The park entrance is in Playa Espadilla, and the fee is $15 or $10 if you pay in advance. Unfortunately for camping lovers, this activity isn’t allowed in the park, since the park is small and the impact on nature would be too great.

Before discussing accommodations, restaurants and nightlife in general, it’s only fair to discuss the flora and fauna of Manuel Antonio, since the human presence is of secondary to the national park. The park is constituted by beautiful beaches and by the surrounding vegetation of the forest that grows right next to the coastline. The four beaches are: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondido and Playita. Visitors can walk on the beach or in the cooler trails in the forest, where they can spot animals including monkeys (capuchin and howler for the most part) sloths, raccoons and quatamundis or “pizotes.” One can only see caimans, river otters, pacas, and even ocelots. The best time for spotting most animals is early in the morning. The park also offers tidal pools and a marine life which is seen clearly mostly during the dry season, since during the rainy season sediment in the water will ruin a snorkeler’s expedition.

Hotels and cabins abound around the park’s boundaries. There are several inexpensive accommodations, such as Cabinas Pedro Miguel (tel.777-00-35), which has eight cabins, half of which are fully furnished with kitchenettes and will accommodate up to eight people. The Cabinas Piscis (tel.777-00-46) also offer more basic cabinas with ceiling fans and cold water. The prices for these and other cabins range from $22 to $30 per night. There are also moderate hotels, offering air conditioning, hot water and usually a swimming pool, like the Hotel Plinio (tel.777-00-55), Sula Bya Ba Villas (tel. 777-05-97) and Tulemar Bungalows (tel. 777-05-80). Most of these moderately-priced hotels cost $50-60 per night and they can offer balconies, gardens and spectacular views of the coast and forest. Manuel Antonio offers numerous options for budget travelers, but it also has its share of luxurious and awe-inspiring hotels. The décor in Makanda by the Sea(tel.777-04-42), combines aesthetics from Milan and Tokyo, while the Hotel El Parador (tel.290-76-82) offers an ancient Spanish environment, with never-ending ceilings, a knight in shining armor, antique tools and weapons, persian rugs and many more luxurious objects that mesmerize visitors. El Parador also offers a bar, a wine tasting club room, a health spa, and even a hair salon. Whether you’re a backpack traveler or a Gucci suitcase tourist, you’ll find your type of accommodation near Manuel Antonio, but you must be sure to make reservations early.

Apart from these lodging options, there are also plenty of places to eat near or in Manuel Antonio, and fortunately, they also range from small “sodas” offering Costa Rican basic dishes, to five-star dining restaurants. There are specialty food restaurants, some offering excellent meats and seafood, others Italian or French dishes, and still others more down-to-earth food like sandwiches , hamburgers and salads. Besides eating, the more active visitors might want to try out their dancing moves in Mar y Sombra or in Disco Amor, or to simply hang out at a beachfront bar.

There are many ways to get to Manuel Antonio. The most common is by car or by bus. If you go by public bus, then you’ll have to catch a bus from San Jose to Quepos, and then from Quepos to Manuel Antonio. Schedules vary, so it’s best to inquire with the bus company (tel.777-03-18). There are other private buses that travel directly from San Jose to Manuel Antonio, and they are: Saragundi Specialty Tours (tel.255-00-11) or American VIP Coach Service (tel.222-81-34). The option by air is also available, since the local airline SANSA offers regular flights there.

Manuel Antonio has one of the most beautiful beaches of the country, which has, as a backdrop, emerald-green forests and lush hillsides. Besides being blessed by nature, Manuel Antonio is also a lucky when it comes to accommodations and facilities. Visitors of all budgets and tastes can indulge in both natural and social activities, and go home with tales of great adventures in the tropical trails or on the local dance floors. Some accommodations are hidden in the hillside and away from the rowdiness of civilization, thus being perfect shelters for the more quiet tourists. Manuel Antonio offers something for everyone, or that is, for everyone who wants to get out of the major cities of Costa Rica.