Spotlight : Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Every 26th day of the month, I'm going to "spotlight" one of my favorite places. It may be far away or up the road, but somewhere I've thought worthy enough to go back through photos and type up a few words. A friend recently asked me for Costa Rica recommendations, so perhaps it could serve another purpose aside from a trip down memory lane for me. I could talk for days about any of these places, so if you're interested in more recommendations, please don't hesitate to ask!

It only makes sense to come out of the gates for my first spotlight post with a real winner and arguably my most favorite place on our planet earth. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, is la creme de la creme. The standard for which all other tropical destinations strive to be. This tiny little place, located on the Central Pacific coast, has more natural variety in its pinky than other countries have in their entire body (figuratively speaking). More than 5% of the world's biodiversity can be found in Costa Rica- although it's only the size of Rhode Island- because of its latitude and variations in elevation.

I went to Costa Rica in 2009 for an internship at an impoverished school and to travel around the country. I loved each of the 10+ cities/towns I visited in their own ways, but (although my blog is sprinkled with a little bias) Manuel Antonio has that little extra something that pushes it to the top. Resorts and hostels, candlelit tables and street food, it's not one or the other. Every corner has its own personality, from surfer/hipster beach towns to mountainous rain forests.

Manuel Antonio is so nice, I went there twice. The first visit I stayed with some friends at Wide Mouth Frog, a fun and funky hostel in neighboring Quepos (recommended to us for budget travel to this area) and the second visit I stayed with my mom at Arenas del Mar, an incredible beach resort on the quiet end of the main beach in town, Playa Espadilla.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is the country's most iconic landmark. It's a bit touristy, like any amazing attraction would be, but for good reason. I've always described Manuel Antonio National Park as a zoo without enclosures. Spending just a few hours walking through the park you can see all of Costa Rica's famous critters (see photos below). I highly recommend hiring a local guide to explore the park. I've experienced the park with and without a guide, and having one made all the difference to learn more and point out things you might have missed otherwise. If you go in the morning, you'll have plenty of time to walk around, then spend the afternoon on one of the beaches inside the park (take a picnic, no food is sold inside).

Map at the park entrance

Bamboo grows abundantly all over the country

When I took this picture I couldn't tell why this white-headed capuchin monkey had
a lump on it's back, then I zoomed in on the photo and about fell to the floor.

Surprisingly small toucans

Smiley sloth

There are a handful of beaches inside the park.
This is the most popular, Playa Manuel Antonio.

  

Around Manuel Antonio

Of course the park is the main attraction, but you could also have a nice visit to Manuel Antonio and never even go to the park (but that's just crazy talk). The town is stretched along Playa Espadilla and hotels and restaurants back up into the hills, which make for the best sunset views. Many people who travel to Costa Rica plan to horseback ride, go on a canopy tour or "ziplining," hike to waterfalls, surf, relax on the beach, eat great seafood, etc. and all that can be done in or around Manuel Antonio. 

Shops along the main stretch of town


That's no butter knife

Horseback riding to Tocori Falls

With some friends at the base of Tocori Falls

"Sodas" are little informal food stands or restaurants that sell snacks and whatnot


One of the rooms at the Wide Mouth Frog

My mom walking along Playa Espadilla back to Arenas del Mar during my return visit
(she's not lost, everything is tucked in the trees)


View of the pool and beach at Arenas del Mar (there are only 38 rooms)

At my favorite restaurant, El Avion (no website = no link),
they turned a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane that was shot down
over Nicaragua in the 1980s into a bar.
The restaurant is built around it with some of the best views in town.

So that's that. My first spotlight post! The famous saying in Costa Rica is pura vida which literally means "pure life," and is evident in the happy people and easy living. Although tourism has significantly increased over the past 15 years, the country takes their land seriously and are cautious when it comes to over development. My house there had a poster that said, "Costa Rica: No artificial ingredients." So true. 

[photo source: Mrs. WRCIV]