Manuel Antonio National Park

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Manuel Antonio National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
The park is well known for sights of natural beauty similar to the above
Location	Costa Rica
Nearest city	Quepos
Area	4,014 acres (16.24 km²)
Established	1972
Governing body	National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)

Manuel Antonio National Park, in Spanish the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, is a small National Park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 132 km from the national capital of San José. Established in 1972 with an area enumerating 4,014 acres (16.24 km²) (the smallest of any Costa Rican national park), it is the destination of as many as 150,000 visitors annually and well-known for its beautiful beaches and hiking trails. It is famous as well for being a very gay-friendly and oriented area as well.

1 Beaches
2 Biodiversity
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] Beaches

One of the park's beaches

Four beaches are contained within the limits of the park: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Escondido, and Playita. With their large light sand berms, it is easy to see why they attract beach goers of all ages. The first is separated from the second by a "tombolo", or natural land bridge formed by sand accumulations. Visitors may enjoy a roughly hour-long hike from Espadilla to the top of Punta Catedral (100 m). Both Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur contain tidal pools and offer the possibility of snorkeling. There are good chances that while hiking you will see monkeys and other animals, but please do not feed the animals, especially the monkeys, as there have been problems with this in the past.

There are no lifeguards and precaution must be taken, as riptides occur.

Similarly, tourists are ordered to vacate the park before 16.00 (4:00 P.M.) every day, on the basis that the incoming tide cuts off the park's exit and allows the entry of crocodiles into the area.

[edit] Biodiversity

Although Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park, the breath taking beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 6.83 km² is unequaled with 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds.^[1] Both Three-toed and Two-toed Sloths (perezosos) are a major feature, as are the Mantled Howler Monkey, Central American Squirrel Monkey, and White-headed Capuchin Monkey (feeding them is strictly prohibited). Spiny-tailed Iguanas, Green Iguanas, Basilisks, Coatis and many snake and bat species are also common in the park. Included in the 184 bird species^[1] are toucans, woodpeckers, potoos, motmots, tanagers, turkey vultures, parakeets and hawks. Dolphins can be observed there, as well as the occasional migrating whale. Scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking provide great opportunities to experience the tropical wildlife that enriches Manuel Antonio, arguably one of the country's most beautiful and protected costal areas.

A monkey in the park	A panorama of another beach in the National Park	A White-Headed Capuchin at a beach in the park	White-headed Capuchin Monkey
Mantled Howler Monkey howling	Mantled Howler Monkey	Central American Squirrel Monkey	Central American Squirrel Monkey
Three-toed Sloth	Hoffmann's two-toed sloth	Male Ctenosaur/Black Igauana	Basilisk Lizards fighting
Sunset by the Park