Manuel Antonio National Park, National park in Quepos Canton, Costa Rica
This coastal reserve covers nearly 2,000 hectares of land and more than 25,000 hectares of ocean along the Pacific shore, linking several beaches with dense rainforest. Narrow paths wind through the greenery to rocky headlands and quiet coves separated from the mainland by low vegetation.
Coastal residents founded the protected area in 1972 to stop construction and preserve the forest. Over the following decades, marine zones were added and visitor rules introduced to safeguard wildlife and beaches.
The name honors Manuel Antonio Chaves Quesada, an 18th-century colonial settler. Signs at the entrance and along trails indicate where visitors can swim, hike, or observe animals from a safe distance.
Entry tickets are sold only through the SINAC online system, and the grounds open from Wednesday to Monday between 7 AM and 4 PM. Guests should arrive early because afternoon weather often turns unpredictable and daily visitor numbers are capped.
Three of the country's four monkey species live here alongside both native sloth types. Visitors can often spot all five in the trees along the main trails during a single morning walk.
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Costa Rica spans 19,700 square miles (51,100 square kilometers) between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, offering photographers a concentration of varied landscapes within a compact area. The country maintains over 30 national parks and protected areas, including Arenal Volcano, whose...
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