Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio National Park Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
While Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest in the parks system at 683ha/1687ha, it is definitely one of the most popular. The park features attractive ocean views, hiking trails and diverse wildlife and tropical beaches. Created in 1972, Manuel Antonio protects this attractive landscape from the hotel development that has overtaken much of the surrounding area.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Several hiking trails lead through the forest and separate the beaches. There is a mangrove area and many scenic views of the Pacific Ocean from the trails. During low tide on one of the beaches, a semicircle of rocks is revealed that was arranged by pre-Columbian natives and believed to be a turtle trap.
All the trails in the park present opportunities to spot mammals such as white-faced monkeys, sloths, agoutis, armadillos and coatis. Lizards, snakes and 350 species of birds are also present in the park. Monkeys are very commonly spotted. Snorkelling is also popular off a coral reef (visibility is a bit cloudy) where marine life can be spotted.
An evergreen littoral forest is found just inland from the coast and contains several plant and tree species, including the manzanillo (little apple) tree that has poisonous sap and fruits. The park is under pressure from extreme visitation and the rangers often limit the amount of people hiking on a particular trail.
All the trails in the park present opportunities to spot mammals such as white-faced monkeys, sloths, agoutis, armadillos and coatis. Lizards, snakes and 350 species of birds are also present in the park. Monkeys are very commonly spotted. Snorkelling is also popular off a coral reef (visibility is a bit cloudy) where marine life can be spotted.
An evergreen littoral forest is found just inland from the coast and contains several plant and tree species, including the manzanillo (little apple) tree that has poisonous sap and fruits. The park is under pressure from extreme visitation and the rangers often limit the amount of people hiking on a particular trail.
