Manual Antonio National Park

  

      Yosemite was the world's first national park. A century later, the country of Costa Rica established its first national park, Manuel Antonio National Park. It is also Costa Rica's smallest national park. Wild animals abound in the 16,900+  land acres and sea life is extraordinary in the 135,900+ acres of the marine area. This is eco-preservation at its finest for the entire 152,800-acre area of Manuel Antonio National Park is dedicated to conservation, research, and eco-tourism.  

   Considered one of the most beautiful parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park has a rare combination of rainforest, coral reefs, and pristine beaches. These beaches are considered the most stunning in the country. 

  The beaches are lined with lush jungle, abundant with wildlife. There are plenty of sloths,

iguanas 

the rare squirrel monkeys,

 along with white white-faced monkeys, 

 The beaches are right on the edge of the jungle.

 Since it was established in 1972, Costa Rica's first national park has been a travel writer's dream. 

Feature articles in leading magazines describe in great detail Manuel Antonio National Park as one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. 

They highlight its beaches with stunning photographs alluring readers worldwide to discover Manuel Antonio, National Park. And discover it they have. The most visited tourist site in Costa Rica? Manuel Antonio National Park.

The park allows only 600 per day to enter on weekdays and 800 to enter on weekends. The national park is open from 7:30-4:00, limiting the numbers to around 66 folks per hour. 

  

     With all this in mind, we were very excited to go. At 7: 15 we walked to the entrance and arrived promptly at 7:30 when the gates were to open. There was already a long line to get in! Our fearless guide, Pedro, navigated the crowd, talked to the guard and we were one of the first ones to enter. 

Pedro led us on some wonderful hikes 

and we barely scratched the surface of all there is to see!          

One especially memorable sighting was that of this tarantula outside his hole and then watching him rapidly retreating into his den.

We saw white-faced Capuchin monkeys at every turn. Many were hanging out high in the trees.

Some were swinging in the trees while others were sitting watching us as we watched them.

We hiked through the park trails

and then decided to sunbathe on the stunningly beautiful beach. I swam in the warm, clear Pacific Ocean waters and did not want to leave! 

It was absolutely beautiful and oh so peaceful!

Later on, we explored the area 

and hiked over to another beach which was secluded.

We honestly felt as though we had the entire beach to ourselves!

Late in the afternoon, as we walked back to the park exit, we marveled at the vibrant colors of the flowers.

 

            

It was hard to leave Manuel Antonio National Park. On our way walking back to our hotel, we saw this anteater crossing the street! 

   Dinner that evening was at a world-famous restaurant. It was in an old airplane perched on a cliff high on a mountaintop. 

   It was the El Avion Restaurant and it is a "must-see it to believe it" experience! El Avion boasts of having the best sunset view in all of Manuel Antonio and it certainly did live up to its reputation!

El Avion restaurant is a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane famous for its 1986 involvement in the CIA/Iran Contra scandal. El Avion has converted the aircraft into a two-level bar and restaurant which have been built in, around, and above the plane. 

   This old airplane, perched on a mountain cliff, provided great ambiance, with wonderful drinks, delicious food, and a spectacular sunset to mark the end of a glorious day in Manuel Antonio!