Heart= Park Entrance. The road to Manuel Antonio National Park is completely paved. The trees are toxic and extremely dangerous dont touch any part of the tree or eat its fruit. Playa Gemelas is on the other side of Playa Manuel Antonio and is a bit smaller. A left turn at the next Y in the trail puts you on the sendero mirador (overlook trail) which climbs a further 1.3 km onto the headland behind Playa Puerto Escondido to an impressive overlook. The entrance fee is $16 per person. The small town is on the cliffs near the park and is about 15 minutes from the larger city of Quepos. manuel antonio national park punta catedral Youll not only see more; youll learn a ton about the park and its creatures along the way. Some guides had special lenses they would setup so their guests could get a better view of the animals. Youll most likely see a lot of monkeys! There are three different types of monkeys in the park howler, white-faced, and the endangered squirrel monkeys. Along the beaches youll discover small tide pools in the rocks that hold dozens of species of sponges, corals, crabs and other crustaceans and more than a hundred different types of fish. Keep exploring the country to see all theincredible things to do in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio town literally borders the national park and is agreat place to stayif you want to be based in this area for a while. You can read more about the guided tour and submit your booking. It depends on the person and on the day. "Honestly, we would not have seen 90% of the magical things we saw had it not been for taking a guided tour with Dagoberto. Note: Beginning in April 2021 the park will be closed on Tuesdays instead of Monday as it has been for decades. The beaches close at 3 PM and everyone needs to be out of the park by 4 PM. Theyll tell you where to grab a taxi or take the bus to get back to your hotel. If you can visit in the low season, do. Manuel Antonio National Park is among my favorite national parks in Costa Rica. When you hire a tour guide for the park, you get a unique educated experience about the park. Manuel Antonio National Park islocated along Costa Ricas Central Pacific coast. (agua, refrescos, zumos). Its a different experience every time you go! Logging and agriculture have left only two significant areas of tropical rainforest (tropical lowland wet forest) along the entire Pacific coast of Central America. Feel free to reach out and were happy to answer any questions you may have. Hiking Manuel Antonio Park 5. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see sloths but you will have better chances to see one with a guide with trained eyes. Is this place the real gem worth visiting, or should you better skip it? Our attentive staff ensures your requests and needs are proficiently fulfilled to guarantee your experiences are smooth and enjoyable. The beaches are one of our favorite places inside the park. Children under 12 are free. You really want to see wildlife and learn more about the flora and fauna. 1-866-816-0197 Manuel Antonio National Park NOTE: starting May 4 2021, Tickets must be purchased ONLINE BEFORE getting in line for the entrance! We parked our car because one guy was waving at us. The park ranges in elevation from sea level to 160 meters. If you walk all the way past the rocks, you get a a gorgeous views of the coast, the west side of Punta Catedral and a bit of Playa Manuel Antonio. Keep walking on this trail until you hit the mirador (view point) at the end to see Playa Puerto Escondido. A 44 or high car is not necessary, you can perfectly get there in a sedan. The entrance fee to Manuel Antonio park is $16 per person for foreigners and tickets must be purchased online in advance! Using the shuttles means you don't have to worry . Manuel Antonio National Park is named for a Conquistador who is buried there and was established in 1972 and expanded in 1980. Besides the spectacular beaches, Manuel Antonio offers several kilometers of very well maintained trails offering the easiest access in Costa Rica to the lowland rain forest. Your naturalist guide will be able to find animals that are hiding or camouflaged. If seeing sloths is high on your list, book a sloth tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. I recommend hiring a guide or booking a guided tour for the morning. Recommended. There are washrooms at the main entrance and a few other spots around the park, showers and changing rooms near the main beach, a caf for food, a small shop, and some water refill stations. Additionally, many guides have telescopes so you can see the animals up close and get photos through the telescope. Especially near the shore, iguanas (garrobo), and ctenosaurs (iguana negra) are easily spotted. ( 9.391378, -84.145467) edit. soumettre votre rservation. 1. : Minimum 2 passengers, small groups of 8 people per guide. The property is located down the street from the entrance at Manual Antonio National Park and they offer free shuttles both to the park and Espadilla beach. The national park is open Wednesday - Monday and the entrance fee is $16 USD plus tax per adult foreigner. One of the best things to do in Manuel Antonio National Park is to check out all the amazing wildlife here. Tickets may be purchased, only, online HERE. You have read or even talked to friends who have visited and they tell you how they were sitting on their jungle bungalow balcony having coffee and enjoying the sounds of the rainforest then suddenly a beautifully colored toucan sits perched right in front of you. All you have to do is buy a normal entrance ticket and explore. To reach Playa Puerto Escondido return to the Y and take the right hand branch. You can find one facility with bathrooms, showers and changing rooms inside the national park. If any of the clients have a special need to enter the park-like difficulty walking or need a wheelchair, our guides will make arrangements with the management of the park. If you mention these you will be asked to throw them out before entering the park. The most popular beach in the park is Playa Manuel Antonio. So now it looks like a saw, hence the name. During the rainy season, it is common for the mornings to be sunny and the afternoons to have storms. Tour desk is located at El Faro Beach Hotel. This means youll have more time to look through the spotting scope at animals you find along the way and can ask lots of questions. If theres any trail you should go hiking at Manuel Antonio National Park, its this one. These arent the highest of quality, and I highly suggest having a big meal before you enter the park. These signs also have super useful information about the surrounding flora and fauna so you can read more about what youre walking through. Really? This blog may contain affiliate links. Red backed squirrel monkeys (mono tit) are a big attraction, surviving only in Corcovado, and Manuel Antonio. If you plan to visit one of Costa Ricas most popular national parks, here is our guide to Manuel Antonio National Park. Ponce de Len, the Spanish explorer, whose futile search for the Fountain of Youth became his signature expedition, is rarely recognized for one of his greatest discoveries Quepos and Manuel Antonio which he put on the charts in 1519. Costa Rica national parks open this month Below is a list of national parks and protected wildlife areas open for visitors this month, according to the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). High temperatures average 81 F (27 C) to 86 F (30 C) year round. Entrance Fees, Operating Hours, and Other FAQs 3. The park is very close to the small towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos. Keep your eyes out and look up often to see if you can spot one too! The guides here know where to look for animals and birds and will probably point out lots of critters you would have missed. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account. She loves hiking, online shopping, and rescuing bunnies. A lot of the guides here also use a scope (basically a powerful telescope) that you can use on a tour to see animals up close like a sloth or a monkey hiding up in the treetops. For most up-to-date information on hours, please click HERE. This specific spot is really close. 21 Things you NEED to know before visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica, 5 BEST Sloth Tours in La Fortuna (Sloth Watching Trails), 5 BEST Night Tours in Monteverde (Monteverde Night Walks), 7 BEST Coffee Tours in Costa Rica (Local Coffee Plantations You Should Visit! . Manuel Antonio is one of its jewels you absolutely need to know. You are still about 1 mile away from the park and these guys will offer you to park in their national park parking lot and try to offer their guiding services. Or tell you something like you cant go in the national park unless you park there. Many Costa Rican school children visit Manuel Antonio on field trips. It is a narrow road so drive carefully. Forbes once called Manuel Antonio National Park one of the most beautiful in the world! See also Manuel Antonio#Sleep. or spending some time relaxing on the beaches here, youll want to be prepared so you can make the most of your time. Explore the coastlines of Manuel Antonio National Park from the comforts of a luxury catamaran. Trails. Peak Season for the Park:Decemberand January (particularly Christmas and New Years) are the most popular monthsto visit, which are also considered dry season for the area. Rightfully so, with its pristine rainforest bursting with some of the country's most interesting wildlife paired with the postcard-worthy tropical beaches. You will have the flexibility to go to the other trails that normally do not get visited. It was all very rude and a disappointing experience. It seemed like the animals were already aware that bags contain food! They are just perfect. Guided Tour 4. This fairly short path leads to Playa Gemelas beach and connects to the other trails on the western side of the national park. One of the best ways to see Manuel Antonio National Park is with a tour. WeatherThe park receives approximately 151 inches (3,900 mm) of precipitation a year. des collations. If you would like to read more about seasons in Costa Rica, I found this article by Costa-Rica-Guidehelpful. January and February are the driest months; August through October are the rainiest. In high season, December April, it can be more around 5-6000 CRC. This short trail is just a couple hundred meters away from the entrance of the park and leads to a small waterfall. 5 stars 13 Family-friendly 190 Property types Resorts Motels Hotels All-inclusives Show all View Vacation Rentals Amenities Free Wifi 277 Breakfast included212 Pool 231 Free parking 283 Show all Distance from 25+ mi Manuel Antonio Info Center Costarica-pacifictours.com While they share a name, Manuel Antonio National Park and Manuel Antonio town are different. While an SUV is nice to have if youre planning on driving around any backroads, if youre sticking to main roads and heading to the national park, it isnt necessary. While tryingto park my car, I was bombarded. When one of them, Arthur Bergeron, began cutting trees and erecting gates on the road in preparation for constructing a private resort the locals reacted by requesting the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly to protect the area for all to enjoy. When you get to the end to Beach Trail, you will see the Coopealianza ticket booth to the left and the park entrance will be to the right. The trails are flat and not too difficult, so little ones can tag along and help you spot wildlife. Keep your eyes out at the beach, you may even run into some reptile friends who are basking in the sun! This way, if rain gets into your backpack your items can still be protected. Click the image to go to the attachment page where you can choose either a large jpg version or the full resolution printable PDF map download of Manuel Antonio compliments of Costa Rica Guide and Toucan Maps Inc. Free printable road map of the whole country also available >> Costa Rica Map. Lorsque vous rservez une visite guide, la visite comprend le Yes, you can! Educational Jungle Night Walk - The most beautiful concert, led by the orchestra of nature, begins when the sun goes down. Reserve your vacation rental now, lets go! The sprawling area is a mixture of rainforests and beaches that are full of animals, birds, and plants. The viewpoints have benches to sit, have some water and take a breather. Continue on until you see restaurants and stores to your left and you will see a small road on the left after you pass the Super Joseth convenience store. Sloth trail runs along the main path to Playa Manuel Antonio and has informational signs about the wildlife. Sloths can easily be seen on a sunny morning. Id avoid September-November as these tend to be the rainiest months. Maps: I was handed a map of the park upon purchasing a ticket, but if you do not receive one, just ask at the booth. Playa Manuel Antonio: Best of the Beach 7. There is no official parking area for the national park, but there are private parking areas Whether you hire a guide is completely up to you and depends on the kind of experience you want at the park. This national park is famous for its biodiversity and a wide variety of critters. You cannot bring in alcohol, guns, cigarettes, drugs or speakers. Going to the park from May to August is still a good time youll have fewer crowds to deal with and typically the rain comes in the afternoons. As of May 04, 2021, SINAC assumes the exclusive sale of tickets to the Manuel Antonio National Park. The admission fee is $18.08, children from 2 to 11 years old pay $5.65. You could walk one path on the way in and walk the other path on the way out if you want to experience both. This trail also connects to Playa Espadilla Sur, going through the mangroves which is incredibly nice. Its under $60 USD and includes transportation and a tour guide. There are numerous agencies offering deep sea fishing excursions in the region. We saw a 3 fingered and 2 fingered sloth on this trail so the trail lives up to its name but make sure youre looking into the trees since its a bit more dense on this trail than the other one. Here is an overview of the Manuel Antonio National Park trails. Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of the rain forest, beaches, and coral reefs. For those visiting the park during Christmas, New Years, and Easter, make sure to arrive as early as possible (7-7.30 am) in order to get in. Theyre not difficult and the views alone are make it all worth it! You dont want to worry about driving, parking or buying park tickets. and the park is closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays <<<NEW! Manuel Antonio National Park was established in 1972 as a way to protect this area of rainforest and all the animals inside. the national park. Manuel Antonio National Park tickets are a one time entrance and cannot be used for multiple days. There will be guys who will walk in front of your car and wave to you to park. I did not full zip my backpack while at the beach and a raccoon grabbed a bag with my sunblock inside! We paid 3,000 colones for parking the whole day in September. Standing with your feet dug into the sand and watching the wave crash against the rocks on either side of the lagoon, it is easy to believe that you are a thousand miles from anywhere. According to the website, Visa is accepted. Just keep in mind to use a reputable and recommended guide. See the park come alive in the dark with a night tour. If youre looking for a more hidden beach, head to the secluded Playa Gemelas. Just be aware that the road is very narrow and curvy once you pass Quepos so drive slowly. nearby: Portaln Wildlife R. | Estero Rey Nature R. | Rainmaker Reserve | Punta Mala Wildlife R. The dense vibrant forest is made up of gucimo colorado, madroo, cenzaro, bully, cedar, locust (including the endangered sur black locust), cow, and silk cotton trees strung with vines and lianas. Mytanfeet is full of local tips, detailed guides, photos, videos and maps to help you plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica. On a short trail leading from the beaches into the hills, three-toed sloths were visible every few hundred feet, draped like soiled scatter-rugs over cecropia trees. There are times when you dont want your average hotel and you want a place to call home for the next week or two. The guys working security did a good job to make sure nobodys car was blocked in and the lot had plenty of room for us to exit. There are tons of maps and signs throughout the park. juice). The animals and birds who live here will be one of the highlights of your visit, depending on what you spot! You can bring your original passport or bring a photocopy or photo of the passport ID page. There are buses that go to the national park. North of Manuel Antonio are two of our favorite small less know natural areas. Other species including lineated woodpeckers (carpintero lineado), barred wood creepers (trepapalos), red-capped manakins (saltarn cabecirrojo) are even harder to spot, and a good guide is indispensable. You will walk on a bridge over a little river with a large sign showing you where to go. You can read about our adventures in Manual Antonio National Park here, or if you are travelling to Arenal, we have a post about our experience here. This included peoplestanding in the middle of the street, waving at me, yelling at me, some even tapping my car. disponibles alrededor de la entrada del parque por, Les plages et les sentiers l'intrieur du parc sont ouverts de, Les billets ne peuvent tre achets qu'en ligne, et votre numro de passeport est requis pour We did the Manuel Antonio National Park tour and had a great experience. Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest yet most heavily visited national park in Costa Rica. When you enter the park, you must have the barcode or the reservation number and your passport. The smallest and most visited of Costa Rica's much-admired national park system, a single day in Manuel Antonio brings you straight to an abundance of the natural elements which convinced you to travel to the country in the first place. The main park entrance is located almost about 1.5km (almost a mile) inland, at the end of the road that leads off perpendicular to Playa Espadilla at the corner featuring the popular Marlin Restaurant. We are also just 3 miles from Manuel Antonio Beach and National Park. Services include onsite tourist information, booking of tours, transportation and selling tickets, and assisting with travel arrangements. The area unique atmosphere, and many activities so everybody can find what they were looking for. There are bathrooms at the entrance of the national park and inside the the national park at 3 different points. They currently are selling 3000 park tickets a day so if you are visiting December through April, June, July and August, please make sure you purchase park tickets well in advance as they WILL sell out if you wait until last minute! ), these are common in the park, especially along the beaches and you might see the tiny green apples on the ground. As for how much they charge, they offered me and my 2 friends $20 USD per person for a 2 hour guided walk. Welcome to Manuel Antonio Park Costa Rica, http://www.adventure-inn.com/promo/manuelantonioestates, 5 reasons you should do a Manuel Antonio Park guided tour, Important environmental places for tourism in Quepos, Costa Rica, a climate success story in the world (FRANCE 24 Espaol), Fauna & Flora Chapter 2: The Beach almond tree. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs, was once an island but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. You can bring food like prepared sandwiches and fruit in sealed bags/containers. Paradise beaches. Only you and your guide. ), and stunning beaches to enjoy. We got right back into our car and continued down the road where we found free parking. Continuing south (35 miles, 58 km from Quepos) youll reach Rancho Merced National Wildlife refuge, and Marino Ballena National Park. Well,heres what they arent telling you you absolutely do not need a tour guide to enjoy the park. So if youre staying at a hotel on a hill and want to take the bus, there are lots of bus stops you can wait at. For a more relaxing day, pick just one or two trails. So abundant are the riches of Costa Ricas Central Pacific coast, that he might have found his fabled fountain had he gone ashore and explored the region. Youll walk about 5 minutes to the entrance and it is well-signed here so you wont get lost! As far as viewing wildlife, I was able to see every creature the guides were pointing out. Best Beaches: Playa Espadilla, Playa Biesanz, and the beaches inside Manuel Antonio National Park Best Manuel Antonio Rainforest Activities: A guided hike of Manuel Antonio National Park, Kayaking in the Isla Damas Mangroves, witnessing nocturnal wildlife on a Jungle Night Walk, Sea Kayaking, Catamaran cruise. If youre just heading to the beach and doing the main trail, sandals are okay. The town is built on a hillside and is full of wildlife I think Ive seen almost as many animals like sloths, monkeys, and toucans in town as I have in the national park! The park is filled with rainforests, mangroves, and beaches. The water is calm here and a gorgeous shade of turquoise blue. No trails are necessary for some other interesting walks in the park. If youre going to the beach while youre here, make sure to have a bathing suit, towel, and sunglasses. This strip connects Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur and you can walk the Sendero Punta Catedral all the way around for beautiful views. It can rain here (even in the dry season), so also pack a light rain jacket. The park is simple to get to and close to the small town of Manuel Antonio, so its easy to base yourself in the area for a few days. If youre visiting in rainy season, make sure you have a waterproof backpack or backpack cover. I will say that if its your first time in the park or its really important to you to see a variety of Costa Rican wildlife, a guided tour is the way to go. Youll have the extra perk of an experienced guide to show you around and make sure you get the most out of your time here. 1-866-853-9426 Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica at only 1,983 hectares or 4,900 acres. We saw a couple Howler monkeys, raccoons, and sloths on this path. While it isnt a huge park, its the perfect size to explore in a day. The tour company will take care of it all for you. What a guide charges is a whole different thing, in addition to the Park fee. The tour is $86 USD per person and includes lunch and transportation. See, On the tour, they will go in small groups of 8-10 passenger maximum. Guided tours are available at $65 for adults, $50 for children. You start at Playa Manuel Antonio and you can go either direction since its a loop. Please note: This post was published in 2016. Your bags are searched when you enter and any food or snacks you packed will be taken away. With the establishment of Manuel Antonio National Park in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Sometimes the park is not as busy and they won't mind. The bus costs 335 colones one way per person and leaves every half an hour or so starting at 530 AM until 930 PM. Yes, kids will have a great time at Manuel Antonio National Park! Punta Serrucho is a piece of land with a rigged coastline that guts out. Onthis catamaran tour, youll pass by the national park, small islands and get the chance to swim in the bay or go down the waterslide attached to the boat! If you dont do the other trails, this one is pretty short so you can wander over there to check it out if youre short on time or arent interested in hiking the rest. Our Manuel Antonio Estates management team is comprised of knowledgeable and experienced real estate and property management professionals fluent in English, German, French, and Spanish. Check out our hotel recommendations at the end of this Manuel Antonio National Park guide! Manuel Antonio is the most popular National Park with Ticos. You will see two parking lots, one on your right and one of your left. There are beautiful walking trails, lots of wildlife (including the adorable squirrel monkeys! Manuel Antonio Estates is walkable or a quick taxi ride to the town of Quepos for grocery shopping, dinner, visiting Marina Pez Vela or just hanging with the locals. All trails are well marked and there are signs and maps everywhere so you wont get lost. Tours are usually 2 hours long for the guided walk and they give you the option of going back to your hotel or you can stay at the park to explore more of it on your own. The park receives approximately 151 inches (3,900 mm) of precipitation a year. When you book, youll select the day youre visiting. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica for hiking, wildlife and beaches. If it doesnt, youll need to purchase a ticket in advance, just like if youre coming on your own. Everyone must start leaving by 330 PM. . Feel free to reach out and were happy to answer any questions you may have. One reason for this is the unspoiled beaches that lie within easy walking distance of the entrance station. Semi-private shuttles are available between most destinations in Costa Rica, in comfortable air-conditioned mini-vans, with door-to-door service from and to most hotels, for $45-$60 per person approx. This is just for guiding service, does not include park ticket or anything else. Lauren works full-time in supply chain management for a global food company. If you say that you are going to Manuel Antonio, the security guys will offer to take you on a tour. The admission fee is $18.08, children from 2 to 11 years old pay $5.65. This sprawling area filled with tons of biodiversity and natural beauty is often called Costa Rica's best national park . Manuel Antonio National Park is in Manuel Antonio in the Central Pacific in the Puntarenas province, 170 kilometers (105 miles) from San Jose. Another way to see the national park from a different angle is with a boat or snorkeling cruise. Get Exclusive Costa Rica Travel Tips and our Free Travel Guide Straight to You! Punta Catedral used to be an island but over time, it united with the continental landmass by way of sediment and sand build up. Directions to Ticket Booth: From the parking lot next to Hotel Manuel Antonio, walk past the hotel to Beach Trail. This is mostly because of the animals like monkeys and raccoons who like to dig into peoples bags and steal food. Hiring a naturalist guide is just that only a guide. Related read: Dont stop your adventure at Manuel Antonio National Park! If you want to observe a particular animal, tell the guide and he will make it come true., Through their telescopes the guides will take incredible photos of the flora and fauna of the Park., We had a great tour with Beatriz, amazing guide will keep you engaged throughout the tour and we saw. The drive from Manuel Antonio to the national park is 10 minutes and possibly even shorter, depending on where your hotel is. boissons gazeuses, jus de fruits, etc.). Only a few parks in Costa Rica are handicap friendly (Cahuita and Carara) and this is one of the nicest ones Ive seen! For detailed pricing and bookings visit: Domestic flights cost between $75 and $95 and there are 5 daily direct flights available between Quepos XQP and San Jose SJO. Sloths are also common in the park both two-toed and three-toed sloths. The buses run about every half hour from 5:30 am until 9:30 pm and will take you through the town of Manuel Antonio and close to the park entrance but not right to it. Youll find soft sand to sink your feet into and lots of room. I recently went on, Manuel Antonio National Park How-To: Parking, Tickets, and Pack List, This error message is only visible to WordPress admins, Quepos and Manuel Antonio Overview, Costa Rica (Plus Nauyaca Waterfalls), First Long-Haul Flight: Lufthansa Economy. We drove up to the park entrance and found an all day parking spot in a dirt lot 1/2 a block down on the right from the park entrance behind some shops. If you want a more personal experience, I highly recommend a private tour, especially during high season. Just make sure to use mosquito repellent. Cash and credit card are accepted. I did see a couple of the poison dart frogs on the way so you might see something too. They will try and sell you overpriced tickets, tours and parking kilometers away from the entrance. This is very important. Below is a map of where the parking lot is located. Other reptiles and amphibians including jesus christ lizards (chisbala), big-headed anoles (galleguillo), leaf litter geckos (gallego de hojarasca), smoky jungle frogs (rana ternero), and a symbol of the rainforest, the red-eyed leaf frog (rana calsonuda) abound but are more difficult to find. Youll head to the bus station in Quepos or you can wait at a bus stop along the hill in Quepos if youre staying at a hotel there. Because its best to come in the mornings, you can easily spend an entire day here. They will take care of you from the minute they pick you up to the minute they drop you off. NOTE: starting May 4 2021, Tickets must be purchased ONLINE BEFORE getting in line for the entrance! The park is surrounded by such a beautiful area too, that we love hanging around here for a few days to explore. There are literally hundreds of different types of animals, birds, insects, and reptiles you can spot!
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