Though small in size, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most visited attractions in Costa Rica. Perhaps that’s because it has a little of everything that guests are searching for on a trip to this fabulous country. The park is so popular that in recent years, rangers have decided to limit daily access to Manuel Antonio – around 600-800 visitors per day - correctly fearing that tourism was adversely affecting the wildlife and other treasures here.

 

The shining stars at Manuel Antonio are the four pretty beaches that line the coast at this park, located in the central western portion of the country. Playa Manuel Antonio has coral-white sand and a small coral reef. Snorkeling is good at this beach as it is at Playa Espadilla Sur, joined with Playa Manuel Antonio via a naturally-formed land bridge. The other two beaches, Escondido and Playita, are a little harder to reach. The tide pools on the beaches are good for catching minnows and crayfish and visitors can also catch an occasional glimpse of a sea turtle.

 

Wildlife viewing can be pretty spectacular at Manuel Antonio, despite its small size, though tourism and the building of hotels close to the park have definitely infringed upon the wildlife habitats here. The park has an excellent system of wide, easy-to-navigate trails that take visitors through some of the most breathtaking portions of the park. The Perezoso Trail is the best and most often used, and will provide opportunities to photograph such animals as marmosets, pacas, and caimans. Hiring a guide is the best way to see what there is to see, and the guide can offer information about local flora and fauna while you enjoy the view.

 

There is no camping in the park and no snack bars. Theft can be a problem on the beaches so keep your belongings close to you. (The monkeys tend to do a little stealing as well when things are left unguarded!) If you bring food into the park, be sure to remove your trash to avoid further damage to beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park.