Pura Vida! Manuel Antonio

In our TripAdvisor search for the best attractions on the Pacific Coast, we’d found a well-ranked guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. The 683 hectare reserve is listed as one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world with a combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. The smallest national park in Costa Rica, it is home to 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds as well as numerous flora, fauna and marine life. We were excited by the chance to catch a glimpse of some monkeys and were thrilled when our new pals Sam and Paula decided to tag along.

Sam & Paula (our surrogate parents from Oregon)

On Tuesday morning, we woke early and took in another delicious ‘tipico’ breakfast at La Colina’s poolside restaurant. We enjoyed huevos (eggs), gallo pinto (the national dish of rice and beans flavored with onions and peppers) and fresh fruit to the morning music of songbirds and cicadas. Our tour guide, Edgar from Manuel Antonio Expeditions (www.manuelantonioexpeditions.info), met us in the hotel parking lot and the four of us piled into the Yaris to start our National Park adventure. 

Just down the winding hill from our hotel, flanked by jungle and a mile and a half of white, sandy beach sat the vibrant tourist town of Manuel Antonio.  The town is a typical tourist’s haven, cram-packed with tiny storefronts boasting colorful pareos, ceramics, woven bracelets and trinkets. There are also several open air cafes, bars and eateries with local seafood on the menu. Across the main street, you could hear persistent whistles and shouts beckoning from the beach – locals make a living selling freshly tapped coconuts, jet ski rentals, surfing lessons, parasail trips and renting umbrellas to shade gringos from the scalding Costa Rica sun.

Downtown Shops and Cafes

Manuel Antonio's Public Beach

Cash for Coconuts

We weaved our way through the busy main drag to a parking spot, careful to avoid hitting locals, tourists and dozens of stray dogs. Following Edgar to the park gates and past the throngs of other visitors, we counted ourselves lucky to be on such a small, personal tour!  

Before we even began our hike, Edgar spotted an iguana up in the trees and pulled out his scope so we could have a better look. During our 3 hours with Edgar, we were impressed by his knowledge of Costa Rican flora and fauna as well as his love for the job and sense of humor. His keen eye and quiet patience allowed us to get candid photos of the 2- and 3-toed sloth, a few playful monkeys, and many exotic birds and insects.  

Funky White-Faced Monkey

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The Fungus Among Us

Triumphant Tropical Trees

Sunning Iguana

The thick forest of Manuel Antonio grows right up to the ocean’s edge and our leisurely walk led us to 3 pristine, secluded beaches within the park.  We stood for quite a while marveling at Costa Rica’s Long Island, a giant rocky cliff just off the coast, inhabited by thousands of gulls and pelicans. 

Surrounded by Nature

Protective Plants - Closing Up When Touched

Pelicans on the Point

After the tour, we thanked Edgar for a wonderful experience and parted ways with him. He was off to his second job, working afternoons at a nearby resort hotel. The four of us stopped at the corner grocery for beers, yogurt and granola and took a break in the shade. 

Then, making the most of our daily admission fee, we changed into bathing suits and made our way back to one of the quiet beaches in the park. We spent the afternoon talking work and travel, playing in the waves and watching tiny crabs make their way across the hot sand. We took care not to sit under the shady Manzanillo trees that lined the beach. We had fair warning that touching the toxic bark or the sap could actually burn your skin!

Sandy Seclusion

There's an Iguana on my Beach Towel!

Creepy Crawly Crabs