Manuel Antonio National Park

General information

This wilderness area on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the province of Puntarenas, is located 157 km (98 miles) south of San Jose by highway and 7 km (4.5 miles) south of the city of Quepos.
The park was established on November 15, 1972. Its area encompasses 687 hectares (1,700 acres) of land mass and 55,000 hectares (135,905 acres) of marine reserve.

The Quepos Indians from which the name of the city of Quepos comes once inhabited this region.
With the arrival of the Europeans, the region was turned into a cultivated cropland that was later purchased by the United Fruit Company. Foreigners who prohibited the local people’s entry acquired the area that makes up the park today
This precipitated the formation of a pro-national park committee that convinced the municipal and national authorities to declare this area a national park.

Location

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small biological oasis weighted down by the pressure of many and conflicting local enterprises such as: agriculture, livestock and a highly developed tourism. This national park contains some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

This humid tropical forest is home to many endangered species of flora and fauna.
Once, much of this area was logged using a system called selective extraction to cut high quality lumber without clearcutting. Now, these areas are undergoing the forest regeneration process.

Flora and fauna

Manuel Antonio National Park is located in a Humid Tropical Forest life zone. It protects primary and secondary forests, mangroves, beach vegetation and marine resources.
The most characteristic species of flora in the primary forest are the Luehea seemanii, bully tree, cedar, Terminalia oblonga, black locust an endangered tree, cow tree, Alibertia edulis, Rain tree, and silk cotton tree.

A mangrove swamp that covers 18 hectares (44.5 acres) is made up of three species: red mangrove, buttonwood mangrove and white mangrove.
The beach vegetation consists mainly of Hippomane mancinella, which produces a milky extract, latex and poisonous berries, the almond, mayflower and coconut.

Within the wildlife, some of the most common but amazing species are the raccoon, white-nosed coaties, agouties, the two-toed sloth, white-faced capuchin monkeys and squirrel monkeys (a subspecies of the park, which is an endangered species due to the destruction of its habitat and its exploitation as a pet).
In this area you can also observe birds such as the Emerald Toucanet, Brown Pelican, Laughing Falcon, Black-collared Hawk, Green Kingfisher and the Northern Jacana. Iguanas, snakes and thousands of insects also abound.

Climate

The park is located in a region of high precipitation and temperature. The average annual rainfall is 3.875 mm (151 inches).
The dry period is from January through March while the rainiest months are August through October The average annual temperature is 27°C with a minimum of 20ºC.

Outstanding sights

In addition to the flora and fauna, one of the main features of this area is the overwhelming beauty of the following attractions:

* Espadilla Sur Beach: Extends between the park’s northern limit and Catedral Point. It has a long wide beach during low tide, great for strolling or sunbathing. And though surfing can be quite strong, it poses no real threat to swimmers.

* Escondida Beach: Is a small beach that can be found south of the administration buildings. Because it is required to wade through some areas bounded by steep cliffs, beach accessibility depends on tides. Please inquire at the park office about when you should enter.

* Catedral Point: Is an interesting geological phenomenon. It once was an island, and with the accumulation of sediments, over the time, it joined the continental landmass forming a sandy strip known as tombolo. The interior boasts primary and secondary-growth vest and excellent lookout points from which to view the various elands off the coast, Blanca Beach (White Beach), and the exquisite turquoise sea.

Regulations

* If you need help or have questions, please ask the rangers; they will kindly help you.
* All the living things, plants and animals alike, share this planet with you. Please respect them. : Enjoy the peace and natural sounds of the forest. Do not play radios or make loud noises that might disturb the tranquility you will find here.
* Please keep to the trails. The signs are for the benefit of all, do not deface or destroy them.
* This area is a natural preserve. We invite you to observe, enjoy and take as many pictures as you like. But please do not remove plants, animals, stones or other materials as souvenirs.
* Please collect your garbage and deposit it in the appropriate containers.
* Do not feed the wildlife. They can suffer serious health problems if they eat people’s food.
* In spite of its biological diversity, many animals living in Costa Rica are hard to observe because of their migratory or reproductive habits, because they are nocturnal or because the forest is too dense to see them clearly. Move quietly and sharpen your observation skills in order to better appreciate the richness of this area.
* All protected wildlife areas have rules that regulate resource protection and visitors’ activities. This park operates under these rules for public use and all visitors must respect them.

The Costa Rica National Park System protects more than 25 % of Costa Rica