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Manuel Antonio National Park Tours & Travel
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations for a reason: it is a perfectly preserved natural zone, offering everything from astounding biodiversity, easy and rewarding hiking trails, to picturesque tropical beaches where the jungle juts right up to the sea.
Manuel Antonio is one of the most biodiverse parks in Costa Rica, and in the world! It has 346 species of plant, 180 species of bird, and 109 species of mammals. These numbers exclude the various kinds of reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic animals one can also find within the park.
These numbers are also significant, in part because of the fact that Manuel Antonio extends far out into the Pacific, including several coral reefs and 12 different islands.
Going on a wildlife tour in Manuel Antonio National Park is highly reccommended, as your guides will be familiar with most of the animal's favorite haunts within the relatively small park, and be able to point out anything notable with their experienced eyes. One of the main wildlife attractions in the park is the red backed squirrel monkeys.
The park is one of the few places in the world where you can see the critically endangered squirrel monkey in the wild, as the squirrel monkey is only native to Costa Rica’s pacific coast.
Unlike many of the other national parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio’s trails are clearly marked and very well groomed. While the main trails in the park tend to be crowded, if deviate from the path to the primary beach, you will soon find yourself alone.
Although Manuel Antonio is a small park, it has its share of popular hiking trails. Because of how flat the park is, most of these are physically easy walks, and very accessible.
One of these paths is to Cathedral Point, a small forest connected to the mainland by a very thin land bridge. Other popular trails include the Waterfall Trail (which leads to a small waterfall), the Sloth Trail (which has the best chances for seeing sloths), and the trail to Playa Gemelas (a gorgeous and isolated beach). Going on a hiking/walking tour of Costa Rica and Manuel Antonio will guarantee that you are able to get out on these trails.
There are tons of animals in Manuel Antonio National Park, so you are guaranteed to something on any visit. Some of the most commonly seen animals include white faced capuchin, spider, and mantled howler monkeys, which will be begging for handouts at the entrance to the park and the popular beaches.
Coatis, raccoons, and two and three-toed sloths are also among some of the most common mammals spotted. Iguanas, basilisk lizards, and the famous red-eyed tree frog are also commonly seen in the park.
Some common birds you are likely to see include brown pelicans, amazon parrots, toucans, and multiple kingfisher species.
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the top snorkeling destinations in Costa Rica. Within the park some of the most popular spots include the southwest side of the beach, where there are rocks all along the bottom. This spot is extremely accessible (you basically walk right up to it!), and although there isn’t a lot of coral, there are still plenty of fish.
For the more ambitious snorkeler, you can swim a bit farther out in the Playa Manuel Antonio to seek out a fishing boat wreck, or turn your attention to the neighboring beach of Playa Espadrill Sur to explore a tide pool. Besides these three spots, however, you will need a guide with a boat to take you to Manuel Antonio’s coral reefs and islands, where you can see much larger fish and other underwater creatures, such as dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. If you are lucky, you may even see a migrating humpback or pilot whale.
Our Guide & tour leader-Johnny [Villalobos] made this trip the best we have experienced; with his expertise, knowledge & general manner. Superior to simi...
This was our second Exodus trip and again, we were not disappointed. An itinerary which covered many different ecosystems, plenty of wildlife, pleasant travel comp...
This was our first Exodus trip, which, to be honest I viewed with some trepidation, as I walk with crutches, and so wondered how it would be. I cannot praise Exod...
An excellent taster of the country. Well planned with good locations Meeting the owner michael Schnitzler of esquinas lodge. Such a wonderful work, he is passinate...
This trip was one of the best holidays that my wife and I have ever taken. . Costa Rica is a beautiful country but the attention to detail provided by Exodus and t...
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