MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

Perhaps Costa Rica's first major tourist attraction, Manuel Antonio National Park remains a favorite for Costa Rica vacations.

Prior to its expansion in 2000, this was one of the smallest of the Costa Rica National parks, only about 682 hectares(1,685 acres). Many web sites and guide books still incorrectly say it's that size but now it is about 1,620 hectares (4,014 acres), 50 acres of which are along its beaches.

There is no city called Manuel Antonio but the upland areas around the park are now filled with hotels and resorts, many of which are very luxurious---and pricey.

Quepos is famous for its fabulous Costa Rica marlin fishing, click.

When you travel Costa Rica, plan on a four hour trip by car or bus from San Jose.

Despite the distance and its still diminuitive size, about 150,000 people visit here each year. Open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., only 600 visitors are allowed into the park from Tuesday-Friday and 800 on Saturday and Sunday (it's closed Mondays).

December through March is the heart of the tourist season so you'll find larger crowds and often more expensive hotel rates.

If you come during the green season (when it rains more frequently in the afternoons), you can often find the best hotel rates and more privacy on the beaches. Don't be put off by this time of the year because almost every day will be sunny and warm, except for possibly some rain in the late afternoon or evenings.

The week between Christmas and New Years and the week leading up to Easter (called Santa Semana in Costa Rica) are the busiest weeks of the year and advance hotel reservations are a must.

Its often crystal-clear waters, good for snorkeling, and white beaches are among the ecologically best of the Costa Rica beaches and have the distinction of being designated among the most prestigious Costa Rica Blue Flag beaches, click.

And, in a testament to its very special qualities, Costa Ricans voted Manuel Antonio one of Costa Rica's Seven Wonders, click,

the only beach in the country having that honor.

The park has four lovely beaches, each having a different personality: Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondido, and Playita.

Probably the prettiest (and the one most often seen in photos) is Playa Manuel Antonio, a crescent-shaped soft white sand beach with a small coral reef, perfect for snorkeling.

Where once there was a small island just offshore, there is now a land-bridge separating Playa Manuel Antonio from Playa Espadilla which contains a nice hiking trail.

Many folks wade or swim in the Park's four beaches but be careful about your children or you swimming in Playa Espadilla because there are no lifeguards and sometimes there are dangerous rip tides.

Click here to learn what to do if caught in a rip tide on Costa Rica beaches.

When you visit Manuel Antonio on your Costa Rica vacation, make it a point to check out the ancient sea turtle traps carved out of stone by pre-Columbian Indians. At high tide, turtles could get over the rocks but became stranded inside when the tide went out.

I'm fascinated by sea turtles and, like many others, extremely distressed by their plight today, despite Costa Rica's determined efforts to preserve them.

Where once there were millions, today they are seriously endangered, click to learn more about sea turtles.

Manuel Antonio Fishing, Surfing, and More

Sure, you can sit on the beach, maybe snorkel a bit, but you're going to be missing out if you don't take advantage of the area's many attractions on your Costa Rica vacation, like horseback riding, white-water rafting, surfing at Manuel Antonio

and more, click.

The area in and around this park has abundant wildlife in its surrounding forests and you're likely to see squirrel monkeys or white-faced monkeys in the trees---or stealing your unattended food, camera, purse (you get the idea).

Speaking of stealing, never leave anything in your car or unattended on the beach because wherever tourists congregate so do human (and monkey) thieves.

And, though they're really cute and endearing, be aware that it is illegal to feed monkeys and you can be ejected from the Park by doing so.

There are also lots of hiking trails but for the best wildlife viewing, ask where to find a local guide (he won't charge too much).

Carara National Park

La Cangreja National Park

Los Santos Forest Reserve

Cerro las Vueltas Biological Reserve

Pájaros Island Biological Reserve

Peñas Blancas Wildlife Refuge

Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge

Punta Leona Wildlife Refuge

Puntarenas Estuary Wetlands

Playa Blanca Marine Wetlands

When you travel Costa Rica, take a few days to explore the many beaches and things to do here on your Costa Rica vacation.

Go to Costa Rica Parks Vol.3, click here

Go from Manuel Antonio Park to Costa Rica Vacations homepage here