Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica Beach Hotel by Gaia

Manuel Antonio National Park is famous for its natural beauty and great biodiversity, and is the area's main attraction. Some background on the park and its inhabitants. Though it is Costa Rica's smallest national park of (684 hectares) it represents the last patch of original lowland forest in the central pacific coast. Its main attraction lies in its two pristine beaches which are graced with white sand, gentle waves, a long slope into transparent blue water and a tall evergreen forest that grows right down to the high-tide mark. The varied environment includes primary forest, secondary forest, mangrove swamp, lagoons and beach vegetation.

To date, 346 species have been discovered here, including 109 species of mammals and 184 birds. It is also possible to see two- and three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), coaties (Nasua narica), howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), and white faced monkeys (Cebus capucinus) . Researchers working in conjunction with Jardín Gaia have produced a complete catalog of the animals in Manuel Antonio. Look at thecomplete catalog of animals (table, 7KB), or the complete catalog of birds (table, 31KB).

The most remarkable species is the beautiful squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedi citrinellus), the only endemic sub species of primate of the country and in great danger of extinction.

The marine animals and plants are very diverse. In the six main sea habitats 10 sponge species, 19 coral, 24 crustaceans, 17 seaweed and 78 fish species have been identified.

The best snorkeling is during max high- or low-tides. The park offers three interesting geomorphological features: the sand bar at Cathedral Point, the blow hole at Puerto Escondido and the sea caves along Serrucho Point. Twelve islands lie off the coast, almost all without plant cover, and constitute an excellent refuge for sea birds and an important nesting site for the Brown Booby (Sula leuchogaster) and Brown Pelican (Pelicanus occidentalis).

Humpback whales can be spotted along the islands mainly from December through May during their migration to breeding areas off the California coast.

Content quoted courtesy of: Jardín Gaia

Address:

Carretera Quepos - Manuel Antonio, Km. 2.7, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica