When you’ve ever thought of a visit to Costa Rica, chances are high you’ve heard about Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park. It was probably the most visited nationwide park in Costa Rica in 2021 and is on monitor to carry the identical title for 2022. Positioned on the Pacific coast, this spectacular vacation spot boasts not solely lush rain forests however among the most beautiful seashores within the nation. It’s no marvel why vacationers from everywhere in the world flock right here. From the attractive surroundings to the considerable wildlife, it has most of the issues that make Costa Rica such a spectacular place to go to.
Contemplating how many individuals come right here annually, I used to be stunned at how sparse the details about Manuel Antonio was on-line. As I deliberate my go to, I took some leaps of religion and even took some Ls so that you simply don’t must.
That is every thing it’s good to know earlier than you go to Manuel Antonio, with some insider ideas that can assist you will have an incredible time there:
My Information to Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park
1. There are tons of hidden spots within the park.
I explored Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park by myself, decided to traverse each path and discover each hidden spot there was. I used to be delighted to find that some trails led to some absolute gems, like Playa Gemelas. Since this small cove is on an offshoot from a fundamental path, far fewer folks go to in comparison with the bigger Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur.
Though Gemelas is clearly marked on the park map, it nonetheless seems like a hidden spot. Different locations the place I didn’t see a single different hiker had been the principle viewpoint, Mirador, and the howler monkey path, Sendero Congos.
2. The park is closed on Tuesdays.
The park is all the time closed for in the future per week. Presently, it’s closed on Tuesdays, however it looks like the day adjustments all year long. Plan your journey accordingly by double-checking right here.
On all different days, the park is open from 7am to 4pm. You have to buy your ticket forward of time and point out the time you can be visiting. Tickets are about $18 USD after taxes and charges, per day. The sooner you buy your ticket, the higher likelihood you will have at getting the time slot you need, particularly in case you are visiting throughout dry season from December to April.
There’s a restrict on how many individuals can go to the nationwide park per day, though I used to be shocked to see how many individuals there have been after I was leaving round midday.
3. The sunsets are unreal.
As a result of I visited throughout wet season, I solely had one alternative to see a wonderful sundown — and boy, was it price it. The whole Pacific aspect of Costa Rica is known for its sunsets, and Manuel Antonio has particularly beautiful surroundings that solely amplifies them.
The most effective seaside from which to look at the sundown is Playa Espadilla Norte, the biggest public seaside in Manuel Antonio. It isn’t a part of the nationwide park, not like Playa Espadilla Sur, so you possibly can simply take the bus there to catch the sundown. Count on loads of different folks to be doing the identical, so if you wish to get a great place, be sure that to get there early. I visited in July, when the solar was setting at 6pm every evening, and received to the seaside at 5pm, which was early sufficient to get a seaside chair.
4. Get to the park earlier than it opens.
I realized rapidly that timing is every thing in such a preferred place as Manuel Antonio. I needed to get pleasure from the fantastic thing about the park in peace, with out hoards of vacationers in giant tour teams. Since most excursions start later within the morning, round 8 or 9am, I opted to reach as quickly as I might. The park opens at 7am, so I purchased my ticket for that point.
I made a decision to take an opportunity and arrive on the gate earlier than the park opened, at 6:45am. I used to be pleasantly stunned when the guards let me go in a bit early, and I used to be the primary particular person there. The good thing about doing this was that I had a a lot better likelihood of seeing wildlife, particularly sloths. Since I used to be going with no information, I knew that discovering them could be difficult and I would want all the assistance I might get.
It paid off, as a result of I used to be in a position to spot 4 sloths by myself, together with a deer, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, a Jesus Christ lizard, and loads of different critters. Do your self a favor and don’t hit the snooze button. Hit up Manuel Antonio very first thing within the morning for an unforgettable expertise — you gained’t be disillusioned.
5. You’ll discover some beautiful ocean views.
All through Manuel Antonio, whether or not you’re within the nationwide park or not, there are tons of locations the place you could find unbelievable views of the ocean. That is as a result of total hilliness of the realm, so count on to climb a bit to get to those viewpoints.
My favorites had been contained in the park, the place you may get unobstructed views of Isla Luana (the island within the photograph above), the Pacific Ocean, and the luxurious rain forest under.
6. The park is completely doable with no information.
I felt an immense quantity of strain to rent a information. Folks advised me that there was no approach I’d be capable of spot wildlife by myself, and that hiring a information at a steep $60 per day was price it. Nevertheless, I trusted that attending to the park early and taking my time on the paths would give me a superb likelihood at recognizing wildlife — and I used to be proper.
If Manuel Antonio is your solely nationwide park cease whereas in Costa Rica and you actually need to make the most of the perception that having a information presents, go for it. Since this was simply considered one of many locations I’d be visiting, I opted out, as a result of I heard that it was one of many best locations to identify wildlife with out one.
I additionally observed that guides who had teams had been plentiful, and each time they stopped to have a look at a sloth, monkey, or different animal, it was simple to pop over and get a search for myself. Some guides even waved me over to take a peek of their telescope to see what they’d discovered.
7. The primary seashores get tremendous crowded…
I made a decision to go to Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio after I had already traversed all the opposite trails within the park. By the point I reached this half, round 10am, there have been already many individuals on the seaside. There gave the impression to be actually a whole bunch. If you wish to benefit from the seashores in Manuel Antonio with out so many crowds, both go to those two seashores very first thing within the morning, or persist with Playa Gemelas.
8 …however they’re nonetheless price it.
Regardless, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio are completely beautiful. Between the delicate white sand, towering cliffs, quaint enclaves, baby-blue water, and sprawling jungle behind them, these are among the most breathtaking seashores I noticed in Costa Rica. Even with hoards of individuals, I nonetheless discovered them to be beautiful.
Earlier than you attain these two seashores, there’s a lavatory with showers the place you possibly can change and rinse off. You gained’t discover any seaside chairs or umbrellas, however there’s loads of shade from the timber (if you may get there early sufficient to seize a shady spot). The water is pristine and excellent for a swim, with light waves and hardly any present.
9. You can’t deliver any meals into the park.
When you had been dreaming of bringing a picnic lunch to get pleasure from on the seaside in Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, you could be disillusioned to know that you simply can not deliver any meals right here. Guards examine baggage on the entrance and can confiscate any meals gadgets. You may deliver water and different drinks to the park — simply be sure that to depart no hint and throw your trash within the bins.
The primary cause why they don’t enable meals within the park is that they don’t need folks to feed the animals. The monkeys can even steal baggage if they’ve meals in them, which is lower than preferrred.
10. Wet season doesn’t precisely imply fewer vacationers.
This was maybe probably the most shocking factor to me. I deliberate to go to throughout Costa Rica’s wet season, with the hope that there could be only a few vacationers. I used to be mistaken, huge time. Since a big proportion of Costa Rica’s tourism comes from the US and July is prime time for People to take holidays, Manuel Antonio was crawling with vacationers.
Because it rains nearly each afternoon throughout this season, there’s even much less time to get out and benefit from the park. Meaning much more folks packed in throughout these home windows of dry time. If I had been to go to once more, I’d plan to go in March or April (avoiding spring break), earlier than college is out for the summer time.
11. There are monkeys all over the place.
White-faced monkeys are all over the place in Manuel Antonio, inside and outdoors the nationwide park. These little guys are surprisingly unfazed by folks and don’t precisely preserve a good distance from them. They’re pesky and like to steal meals, however they’re enjoyable to look at from afar.
Don’t, underneath any circumstance, feed the animals in Manuel Antonio. Their habitat enormously advantages from them spreading the seeds of the fruits they eat within the jungle, and so they can’t do their half within the pure circle of life if people are feeding them.
12. There are particular trails for sloths and howler monkeys.
When you’re most enthusiastic about recognizing wildlife, Manuel Antonio has two trails which might be excellent for you. The primary is the sloth path, which is likely one of the longest within the park and goes via the jungle for nearly a kilometer. I liked strolling the path slowly, maintaining my eyes open for the massive balls of fur hanging within the timber. I ended up discovering a couple of sloths and was in awe to see them within the wild.
The opposite path, Sendero Congos, is for howler monkeys. It’s shorter than the sloth path and extra of a detour, however it was considered one of my favourite elements of the park. Howler monkeys are simple to listen to even from far-off, however you don’t all the time get to see them. This path has extra howler monkeys than I noticed wherever else in Costa Rica, and so they had been a delight to search out.
13. You may dine in an previous airplane and get an incredible ocean view.
Restaurante El Avión is likely one of the most unusual eating places you’ll discover wherever, not to mention Costa Rica. The airplane itself is from the Eighties and has a fascinating story behind it. I had breakfast right here, and the meals was first rate, however I actually went for the view, which was spectacular. The restaurant boasts among the best sundown views in Manuel Antonio, however you’ll must get there early to get a great place, because it tends to refill.
14. Put together for larger costs right here.
Although maybe unsurprising, contemplating Manuel Antonio’s reputation, the costs had been fairly excessive right here as compared with different locations in Costa Rica, even the capital metropolis San José. Put together to pay round $15 USD for a meal, and fork out huge bucks for excursions. Excursions vary from $60 to $120, relying on the size, and lodging are arduous to search out underneath $100/evening. General, plan to spend about as a lot as you’ll at any given seaside vacation spot within the US.
15. Don’t miss out on an evening tour.
This superior jungle evening tour was the primary exercise I did upon my arrival to Manuel Antonio, and it didn’t disappoint! The tour doesn’t happen in Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, because it closes at evening, however as an alternative goes via the close by Rainmaker Conservation Park. It’s a personal park that has loads of trails that you would be able to try through the day, however it turns into additional mystical at evening when the critters come out.
Evening excursions are particularly neat, as a result of there are various species of frogs, snakes, spiders, and reptiles which might be nocturnal and subsequently almost unimaginable to search out through the day. I loved trekking via the rainforest with my skilled information, who was a professional at discovering animals after which giving us the inside track on each.
16. Transportation is a breeze in Manuel Antonio.
Whereas it’s costlier than different locations in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is nice for backpackers as a result of there’s actually no must hire a automobile. There’s only one fundamental street right here, and buses shuttle from Quepos to the nationwide park all day lengthy, passing each quarter-hour or so. I stayed across the midway level between the 2 and located getting round to be easy-peasy with no automobile.
One other large plus for Manuel Antonio public transportation is that it’s extremely low-cost! It solely prices 300 colones ($0.45 USD) to experience the bus.
17. Probably the greatest seashores isn’t within the park (and it’s the city’s greatest saved secret).
Now for my favourite half, the place I’ll let you know about one of the best secret spot in Manuel Antonio. Although it’s not a part of the nationwide park, you possibly can’t go to this space with out trying out Playa Biesanz. I heard folks name this place “Hidden Seaside,” and now I do know why.
To start with, to get to Biesanz, you must go via Shana by the Seaside Resort. While you get there, you must ask for a day go, which additionally grants you entry to the lodge’s pool. I assumed at the present time go got here at a value, however the safety guard gave it to me free of charge, together with a ten%-off coupon for the restaurant. Contemplating {that a} chair with an umbrella on the seaside prices about $10 USD, it was a rating.
There’s a path via a small patch of forest to get to the seaside, on which you may be capable of spot some monkeys or different wildlife. On arriving at Playa Biesanz, you’ll see that it’s a comparatively small cove, capped with rocky overhangs on either side. The water is tranquil and crystal-clear, excellent for a leisurely swim. I noticed a number of households right here and received the impression that they had been all company on the lodge. Playa Biesanz is the proper place to calm down with a e-book, coconut in hand, and take in the stellar ocean views.
18. Select your lodging correctly.
When selecting your lodging on your journey to Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park, consider how far you need to be from the park and the way you can be getting round city. If you’re counting on public transportation, go for a spot that’s near the principle street and in Manuel Antonio (versus Quepos, which is additional away).
I stayed in this Airbnb, which utterly exceeded my expectations. I can’t think about a greater place to remain, particularly for solo feminine vacationers. My host Lorena met me on the door after I arrived and gave me a handful of tips on getting round, eating places, and different locations to take a look at. At simply $27/evening (plus charges), it was even cheaper than staying in a hostel and had a full communal kitchen and front room, plus a washer and dryer.
Different locations I’d take into account trying out are Selina (for backpackers) or Shana by the Seaside, in case you can splurge on a spot.
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General, I’m glad that Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park was a part of my Costa Rica itinerary. Apart from the crowds and excessive costs, the park itself was nonetheless nicely price a go to, because it was actually some of the magical locations. It highlights Costa Rica’s spectacular biodiversity, incredible seashores, and heat hospitality.
When you’re heading to Manuel Antonio, what are you most excited to do there?
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