Damas Island Mangrove
The Mangrove is an ecosystem that deserves attention and care. Many generally do not know the importance of its function and that the mangrove represents a natural water treatment plant due to the plants and trees that live in this habitat, such as the characteristic mangrove. Another characteristic of this environment is the diversity of birds that it has, from Herons; raptors; Ibis, and the beautiful Kingfisher. You can see mammals such as Anteaters, monkeys, and sloths…
Without a doubt, a great option to complement your stay in Manuel Antonio.
You can enjoy the following tours in this beautiful place:
Damas Island Kayak Tours
Damas Mangrove Boat Tours
Damas Mangrove Paddle Board
The path from Beach to Beach in Manuel Antonio (Reto Mae)
Although there is no specific signage for this trail, many people walk it daily. Of course, it is better to do it accompanied by a certified guide to help avoid risks. Along the walk, you can enjoy both the mountain and the different beaches that intersect. You can start from Quepos and finish at Espadilla beach, next to the National Park itself. However, to do it more comfortably due to the state of the route, it is a better option to start at La Macha beach and finish at La Vaca.
Beaches around Manuel Antonio
Biesanz: a beach that is necessary to access by car or taxi due to its distance. It is accessed by a beautiful and quiet path. Once there you can rent a kayak or paddle board for hours. This beach stands out for its calm waters. You will hardly ever see it with high waves; it is more like a natural pool. Its landscape view and the clarity of its waters are also remarkable.
La Vaca: one of the quietest beaches in the area; you will rarely see many tourists as it is usually frequented by locals. It can be easily reached by foot and is recommended so you can have the full experience. On this beach, you can swim very close to the curious pelicans that frequent its waters.
La Macha: another quiet beach worth visiting, frequented by both locals and tourists. It can be accessed both by car and by foot, however by foot is most recommended. On this beach, the white sand is combined with the large rocks that are found on the shore itself.
Playitas: the beach is known for surfing excellence. What makes this beach stand out is not its size, but its coconut palm trees and its large influx of surfers. It must be accessed with 4×4 due to its relief and unevenness. However, walking to Playitas from Espadilla is as simple as reaching the end of the beach. This route is much easier and less polluting.
Espadilla: Is perhaps the busiest and most well-known beach because it is attached to the National Park. It also has more restaurant services; transportation; etc. It stands out for its span and abundance of wild fauna. You will be able to see different monkeys, the occasional camouflaged sloth, and even curious toucans.
Nahomi Park
Nahomi Park is located at the end of the Quepos Malecón, past the Marina Pez Vela marina. It is a space that encourages physical activity since it has fixed sports equipment and kayak rentals, and you can also simply swim on the beach. Nahomi Park is a good option to explore and enjoy the sunset.
El Salto Waterfall
The access to the waterfall is not easily recognizable. However, it is another option to get to know a waterfall near the municipality of Quepos. You will have to be careful as it is an area not frequented often. You may easily come across animals such as snakes. If you don’t want to risk it, hire a local guide.
Animal Recovery and Rescue Shelters
Although Manuel Antonio is a beautiful place to visit it is important to keep in mind that sometimes, animals have accidents both due to human negligence and their naivete. That is why in the surroundings of Quepos there are many wildlife recovery and rescue shelters. We recommend visiting and supporting their efforts.
We recommend the Wildlife Sanctuary Tour
American Quarter
Said Quepos neighborhood consists of a group of 52 buildings with heritage declaration that were built in the 40s of the last century. It presents a special environment due to its authenticity and cultural value. It’s representative of the banana cities and the socio-economic development of the regions of the country used by the Compañía Bananera during their banana exploitation in the Costa Rican Pacific. It is also representative of the labor forces that, after leaving their energies on the plantations, forged the foundations of the national economy.
Palm tree
Upon leaving the municipality of Quepos, you’ll notice a striking number of African Palm plantations, from which the well-known palm oil is extracted. Knowing that it is not something to be proud of due to the environmental imbalance it represents, it is equally striking to learn about this type of palm tree and see the beauty of its fruits.
Villanueva, Naranjito and Esquipulas
Just 15km from Quepos there are 3 municipalities that stand out for their surroundings since they are part of the foothills of the mountains closest to the Pacific. It is easily accessible by bus from Quepos to enjoy other landscapes and possibilities such as bathing in the waters of the Naranjo River or hiking to Esquipulas, which are a part of the Camino de Costa Rica, a pioneering hiking project that crosses the country coast to coast.
