MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
Is located in Puntarenas province, drive for hours from San Jose. was establisment of Manuel Antonio National Park in 1.972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares unequaled.
Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. This beaches are the most beatiful in the country, line with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. And the trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants.
Visiting the Park, one is treated to an abudant diversity of wildlife. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and PLaya Manuel Antonio. Rhe southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other.
Standing with your feet dug into the sand and watching the wave crash against the rocks on either side of lagoon, it is easy to believe that you are a thousand miles from anywhere.
You can go to Manuel Antonio in different ways . Regularly scheduled air service is available through Sansa Airlines, the flight takes 20 minutes . It is a three and half hour or more, drive by car or bus from San Jose depending on the westher and traffic.
