Costa Rica is a country whose beauty draws thousands of tourists a year, and it’s easy to see why: this eco-friendly nation has a plethora of remarkable natural resources it strives to protect. Volcanoes, white sand beaches, sparkling coastlines, and dramatic cloud forests are just a few of the many marvels in store for those who decide to visit.
With such a remarkable breadth of activities and scenery, it can be hard to decide where, exactly, deserves your attention. However, there’s one town that stands heads and shoulders above the rest: Manuel Antonio.
In the province of Puntarenas, perched on the Pacific coastline, is Manuel Antonio, which abuts the national park of the same name. It’s about 100 miles, or 157 kilometers, from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose, and only a short drive from the bustling nightlife town of Quepos. Today, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why you should start exploring Manuel Antonio vacation rentals in expectation of your next adventure.
Manuel Antonio National Park is a true gem on the Pacific coast
Beside the town of the same name is the Manuel Antonio National Park, which is bustling with remarkable wildlife species. Here, lucky visitors can see iguanas, sloths, monkeys, and numerous tropical birds, which add a touch of color to the lush green. The park offers a variety of different tours on land and sea, from lecture series, ATV rides, and boat cruises, so that you can experience the majesty of this place from every angle.
The beaches here are second to none
Manuel Antonio beaches aren’t just some of the best in Costa Rica, but in Central America as a whole, which is truly saying something for a region renowned for sparkling sand. One of the most beautiful is the Playa Manuel Antonio, with sparkling white sands that pick up the bright blue of the Pacific Ocean. From the lush green jungle, you’ll step out into an entirely different world, with soft sand and crystal clear water. Here, you can swim, sunbathe, or snorkel, depending on your mood and interests. Regardless of what activities you choose on the Playa Manuel Antonio, you’ll be sure to have an amazing time.
You can embark on amazing adventures against a beautiful jungle backdrop
Manuel Antonio is known as a true beauty of the Central American coastal jungle, but it’s not just the scenery that you can enjoy here: there are tons of adventure trips available that will get your heart pumping and your adrenaline rocketing. If you love watersports, you can try snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, or even white water rafting, but if you’re a landlubber, you can go hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding, and ziplining. There’s truly nothing more incredible than shooting past the thick Costa Rican jungle on a wild river, or flying through the tree canopy on a zipline.
As Manuel Antonio is a well-respected tourist destination, there are numerous travel companies that offer a variety of different activities, which can be tailored to meet your specific needs. If you want a more laid back pace, you can try horseback riding through the forest, but if you’re a hale and hearty thrill seeker, try some of the incredibly long and high ziplines through the Manuel Antonio National Park.
The culture and cuisine in Manuel Antonio is truly fantastic
Many of us want to learn more about the local culture when we visit a new country, and Manuel Antonio has this in spades. Costa Rica’s culture is warm and friendly, which is mirrored in this cheerful tourist town. In nearby Quepos, you can visit a traditional farmer’s market, which takes place every Friday and Saturday all year round; this is the perfect place to try seasonal fruits, traditionally prepared meats, and even preserved jams well known in the area.
Speaking of food, Manuel Antonio is a foodie paradise, with a variety of restaurants serving Costa Rican cuisine. The food of this culture relies heavily on local ingredients, including fruits and seafood, and it will let you truly appreciate the bounty of this Central American country.
Better yet, you can bring all the wonders of Costa Rican cuisine right to your accommodations if you book one of the numerous Manuel Antonio vacation rentals. Some of the private villas, such as Vista Hermosa Estate, have a private chef available, which means you can get world-class cuisine thoughtfully prepared just for you, made with sustainably and locally sourced ingredients. Nothing could be better than getting a true taste of Costa Rica through such exquisite dishes as gallo pinto, casado, or arroz con pollo.
It’s clear that Costa Rica should be at the top of your travel list, and that Manuel Antonio is the perfect base by which to explore all that this charming country has to offer. There are numerous vacation rentals and activities to suit everyone’s tastes and budgets, so there’s no reason to delay! Get started planning your visit to this tropical paradise – you’ll be sipping cocktails on a sparkling white beach in no time.
