Beaches of Costa Rica

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Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park Has something for everyone to enjoy! It is the most requested beach in Costa Rica for tourists to venture to. Activities include Aerial Tram Ride, ATV Riding, Biking, Bird Watching, Boating, Butterfly Garden, Canoeing, Canopy/Zip Line Tour, Chocolate Tour, Diving, Dolphin Watching, Hiking, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Sea Kayaking, Sloth Sanctuary, Snorkeling, Sport Fishing, Surfing, Waterfall Tour, White Water Rafting, to name a few.

Early morning or late afternoon is the best times to enjoy the gems of Manuel Antonio National Park, with its striking white-sand beaches, clear serene waters and rich wildlife. Besides the breath taking flora, Manuel Antonio National Park is very special due to the fact that you can see all four types of monkeys in one place. When you stay in a Manuel Antonio hotel, you might spot the monkeys traveling to surrounding areas via aerial bridges. Spider Monkey, Mantled Howler Monkey, White Faced Capuchin Monkey and the endangered Red Back Squirrel Monkey (found only on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica), iguanas, lizards, and basilisks, including the Jesus Christ Lizard, two and three toed sloths, raccoons and white-nosed coatis, are a few of the mammals that you might see while touring through the park. Please keep in mind that it is illegal to feed the animals. The monkey population is depleting quicker since they are eating process foods that are bad for their health. Monkeys have delicate systems and react to health problems quicker than humans. Don’t be surprised if you leave your belongings alone that a monkey or raccoon will not try to steal food or something shimmering from your possessions, they are not shy about taking things.

Manuel Antonio National Park is also a haven or resting place for brilliant painted birds. Here you might be able to spot parakeets, brown booby, orange-collared manikin, white-crested coquette, buff-throated foliage-gleaners, toucans and frigate birds to name a few. This list could go on and on since there are over 300 species of birds including migrants known to visit the park. It is recommended that you leave very early in the morning to observe the birds. Olocuita and Mogote Islands ( two of twelve bird sanctuaries for marine species), located just off shore but within Manuel National Park, are mating and nesting sites for brown pelicans, frigate birds and ahingas. This is beyond doubt a birder’s ecstasy; you have to experience it for yourselves!

Manuel Antonio National Park boasts four beaches: Playita Beach, Espadilla Beach, Manuel Antonio Beach, and Escondido Beach. Each beach is magnificently decorated with small tide pools that hold corals, crabs, sponges and many different types of fish during low tides. Adventure out on an unforgettable horseback journey from the beach to the waterfalls.

The best time for scuba diving and snorkeling is during Costa Rica’s dry season or basically during the months of December through April. We have plenty of colorful soft coral, invertebrates and a boundless array of fish. During the rainy season the water is murky from all the rain water rushing down from the mountains, in between the rainstorms, you might be given the gift of an incredible sight. For sure you do not want to miss out on all the amazing sea life, that isn’t found anywhere else in the world! The offshore coral reefs bustle with marine life, including dolphins and whales—reserve a day trip out to Caño island for some prime scuba diving.

Surfing is particularly popular along Manuel Antonio National Park coastline. The swells cater more to the beginner and moderate surfers although it has been known to get larger swells to please the more advanced surfer. Playita and Manuel Antonio Beach breaks come from the Left and right with good shape. Surfing can be on your daily itinerary; you can’t miss some of the best waves in Central America.

Manuel Antonio National Park’s flora must not be forgotten. This area is very unique due to its location; the area is located between two totally different forests. It is here, where the rain forest merges with a dry forest, resulting with spectacular mangrove swamps, a must for all to see! The principal trees of the park include bastard cedar, balsa, black locust, mayflower and monkey comb. Come and enjoy a large variety of vegetation, wildlife and things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park. It is one of the most requested tours, as many as 150,000 visitors annually filter through the park; everyone can find something to do within its 1,700 acres of land and 136,000 acres of ocean reserve. In 1994, the Park Service placed a daily limit of 600 visitors on weekdays and 800 on weekends, as to preserve the natural splendor this area has to offer, so be sure to make it to the park early in the morning so that you can enter to enjoy whatever adventure you have in mind. AAA Tours will be happy to assist you in arranging any tours and our guides know all the best hidden areas for you to enjoy while visiting Manuel Antonio National Park vicinity.