One of the stand-out attractions for people taking holidays in Costa Rica is bound to be its wildlife and natural scenery and there is no better place to experience both of these than the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Established in 1972, the nature reserve may be small but it certainly has a lot to offer those visiting the country on adventure holidays, with a host of walking trails and beautiful beaches just waiting to be discovered.
If you want to include a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park on your Costa Rica adventures then you will need to plan ahead as visitor numbers are limited to help protect the area and the creatures that call the park home.
Before you begin exploring the rainforest and beaches in the reserve, you may want to pay a visit to the ranger station, where you will be able to find out about the various animals that you could spot during your time in the park, as well as picking up maps of the trails that lead you through the jungle.
One of your primary reasons for visiting Manuel Antonio National Park is likely to be to see some of the exotic creatures that live here and you may also want to consider hiring a guide to make sure that you don't miss anything.
As you walk through the rainforest, be sure to keep your eyes on the tree canopy as you look for monkeys. There are various species that live here, including the white-faced capuchin, howler and squirrel monkeys.
But primates are not the only things that are hiding in the trees - if you are lucky you may be able to spot a sloth or an iguana resting on one of the branches.
Manuel Antonio National Park is also a haven for birds, with toucans and macaws among the most colourful feathered residents of the area.
The nature reserve's boundaries also extend to include several islands which serve as breeding colonies for a number of seabirds, such as brown pelicans, ahingas and frigate birds. Male frigate birds are easily recognisable due to the bright red pouch on their chest.
If you want to have a good chance of spotting some of these birds then you should head to one of the park's four beaches.
Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur are the two largest and most popular beaches to visit. Each boasts beautiful white sand fringed by the vibrant green of the rainforest, while the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean laps at the shore.
You may want to extend your search for wildlife to the sea, in which case you should make sure that you bring your snorkelling equipment. There is a small coral reef just a short distance off Playa Manuel Antonio where you will find vibrant and colourful corals and fish.
But if you would like to get an overview of some of the coastline in the Manuel Antonio National Park then you should take the walking trail that leads to Serrucho Point. Once you have climbed to the top you will be rewarded with stunning views across the ocean and the islands just offshore.
The cliffs around Serrucho Point are also worth a visit because they have been eroded over the years into a host of sea caves.
Meanwhile, Cathedral Point - which is where Cathedral Island joins the mainland - is another must-visit location if you are seeking spectacular views during your visit to the park.
Due to the restricted visitor numbers, you are bound to enjoy getting back to nature here and if you take the time to walk along the coast and explore you will come across secluded coves and beaches in pristine condition.
Although you cannot stay overnight in the park, it is easily accessible from the nearby town of Quepos, which is located just 5 km away.
You should also remember that there are no restaurants or shops in the nature reserve, so make sure you pack some lunch - as well as other supplies such as sun cream and swimwear - if you intend to spend an entire day in the park.
A trip into Manuel Antonio National Park is bound to be a highlight of any Costa Rica holiday, so make sure you plan ahead and add this attraction to your itinerary.
If you are planning adventure holidays, why not take a look at what holidays in Costa Rica have to offer? Get in touch with TrekAmerica for more details about Costa Rica adventures and the destinations you can visit in the country.
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