Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park Costa Rica is located on the pacific coast, 7 km south from the town of Quepos, between Damas and Matapalo. It is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica, but because of its stunning beaches, beautiful trails through the lush rainforest, easy accessibility and a superb range of wildlife, it is one of the country’s most visited parks (probably competing with the Poás Volcano National Park for the top 
position).
The creation of Manuel Antonio was a triumph for the local conservation, because the area had been in private hands for a long time, although the public has always been allowed to use the beaches. In 1968, the land was bought by an North American, who put up fences and gates to keep the public out. After vandalism by locals, the local council ruled that the road must remain open and access to the beach should not be restricted. The land was then bought by a French man, who planned to develop the land as a resort. In October 23rd, 1972, the area was expropriated by the government and declared a national park, with additional land added in 1980. Today, the park protects a beautiful remnant piece of the tropical forest that once covered a wide variety of marine life.
This is definitely one of the most exuberant places in Costa Rica, with spectacular white sand stunning beaches fringed by thickly forested green hills, a magnificent setting with islands offshore with sanctuaries for marine bird species, fascinating jungle blended with a network of trails and a welcoming and abundant wildlife. There is a huge variety of things to do, like walking the park’s easy trails, whitewater rafting, ocean cruising, horseback riding, fishing, sea kayaking, just to name but a few. And the volcanic-sedimentary cliffs rise steeply from the shoreline, providing scenic views and hiking trails.
The park has four lovely beaches, each with its own personality: Espadilla Sur (South Little Sword Beach), Manuel Antonio Beach, Puerto Escondido Beach (Hidden Beach), Gemelas Beach, and Playita Beach(Small Beach). The prettiest is Manuel Antonio Beach, a small scimitar of coral-white sand with a small coral reef. It’s separated from Playa Espadilla Sur by a tombolo – a natural land bridge formed over the years through the accumulation of sand – tipped by Punta Catedral (Cathedral Point), an erstwhile island now linked to the mainland. The hike to the top of Punta Catedral is 100m along a steep and sometimes muddy trail with various viewing points in route, giving superb views of the offshore islands, which takes about an hour from Espadilla Sur Beach (also known as the Second Beach). This is covered with water at high tide, to enter the reserve it may be necessary to wade through this water. At low tide it isn’t a problem, but at high tide it can be a meter and a half deep. Check with the rangers about the state of the tide. In the same manner be careful with the Capuchin Monkeys, who will steal food and anything else that they can get in their hands. Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach offer tidal pools brimming with minnows and crayfish, plus good snorkeling, especially during dry season, when the water is generally clear.
There are trees of interest in the park, such as the the Gaupinol Negro, an endemic species that is in danger of extinction; the Cedro Maria, which produces a yellow resin used as a traditional medicine; the Vaco Lechoso, which exudes a thick white latex that also has medicinal properties, and the Manchineel tree (Manzanillo), or “beach apple”, common along the 
beaches. The Manchineel is highly toxic and possesses a sap that irritates the skin. It’s tempting apple like fruits are also poisonous. Avoid touching any part of the tree. Also, don’t use its wood for fires; the smoke will irritate your lungs.
At Manuel Antonio national park you will find red, white and brown mangrove forests. Offshore a number of small islands provide nesting sites for sea birds, including the Brown Pelican, Anhinga and the Magnificent Frigatebird. In the inland forest, rich in wildlife, all four species of monkeys – Howler, Spider, Capuchin and Squirrel or Titi – can be seen. Even though it is illegal to feed the monkeys, insensitive people still do it. Note that if you’re caught, you may, quite rightly, be ejected from the park. Recent studies have found a worrisome increase in heart disease and heart failure among the local monkey population. Unfortunately, the animals are much more prone to rises in cholesterol than humans, so please do not leave food lying around. Also Olive Ridley and Green turtles occasionally come ashore at Manuel Antonio Beach.
Other mammals often seen in Manuel Antonio National Park are the Two and Three-toed Sloths, coaties, raccoons, marmosets, ocelots, toed anteaters, pacas, iguanas, millions of colorful little crabs, river otters and spectacled caimans in more remote riverine areas. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded, such as the Green Kingfisher, Laughing Falcon, Lineated and Red-crowned Woodpeckers, Blue-crowned Motmot, Rufus-tailed Hummingbirds, various tanagers, Tyrant Hawk-Eagle or Black Hawk-Eagle, Gray-headed Chachalaca, Slater’s Antbird, Toucans, Scarlet Macaws, Bananaquit and Red-legged honeycreeper.
The popularity of Manuel Antonio has brought its own difficulties. With over 150,000 visitors a year comes the problem of overuse. At one stage the park authorities considered closing the park completely, to let it recover from the pounding of many feet. Eventually it was decided to close the park on Mondays 
and limit the number to 600 a day. It is essential, therefore, to arrive early, before the quota has been reached.
The climate is hot and humid. Some rain can be expected even in the dry season, which is from January to February. There are no accommodations within the park and no camping is allowed, but there are a lot of hotels in the vicinity to suit all pockets.
Getting to Manuel Antonio National Park:
From San Jose take the Pan-American Highway north passing through Atenas up to Orotina. Take the Tárcoles-Jaco-Quepos-Manuel Antonio exit. Once in Quepos go further for 7 km (4.4 miles) to Manuel Antonio National Park. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway (route 27), taking the same exit to Tárcoles / Jaco / Quepos / Manuel Antonio and following the same directions until you get to Manuel Antonio National Park. The Caldera trip takes about 3 hours from San Jose while the other takes about 4.5 hours.
There is another route from San Jose through the Cerro de la Muerte. Drive south on Pan-American Highway for some 135 km (81 miles) to San Isidro. Continue 37Km on a winding, mountainous road to an intersection where you meet the coastal highway. Take the exit to your right onto the coastal highway heading towards Quepos and go further for 7 km (4.4 miles) to Manuel Antonio National Park. The whole journey takes between 4 and 5 hours.
From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south on the Pan-American Highway to Puntarenas. From there, take the new Caldera Highway (route 27) and take the exit of Tarcoles/Jaco/Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Once in Quepos go further for 7 km (4.4 miles) to Manuel Antonio National Park.
By bus
Take a bus from the route San Jose – Quepos / Manuel Antonio, which takes about 4 hours (Transportes Morales, +506 2223-5567).
You can also take a bus from the route San Jose – San Isidro de El General, which takes about 4 hours, (MUSOC, +506 2222-2422) and then take another bus San Isidro de El General – Quepos, which takes about 1.5 hours, (Transportes Blanco, +506 2771-4744) and then go to Manuel Antonio National Park, which can take about 15 minutes.
By plane:
You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Quepos Airport, either with Sansa or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Manuel Antonio National Park, which takes about 15 minutes.
Location: Pacific coast, 7km (4 miles) south from the town of Quepos, district: Quepos, canton: Aguirre, province: Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Zone postal code: 60601.
GPS Coordinates: 9.389633,-84.147428 (9°23’22.68″N, 84°08’50.74″W)
Size: 682ha (1685 acres)
Altitude: sea level to 50m (160ft)
Schedule: from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Monday.
Manuel Antonio National Park Telephone: +506 2777-5185 / +506 2777-5155
Fax: +506 2777-4122
Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC) Telephone: +506 2416-7878
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Facebook Profile: www.facebook.com/parquenacional.manuelantonio
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