Tag: Manuel Antonio Park

Posted on by

Fauna & Flora – Chapter 2: The Beach almond tree

Fauna & Flora – Chapter 2: The Beach almond tree

You saw it many times, relaxing on Manuel Antonio’s beach, or walking at Parador Nahomi, the beach almond tree is very recognizable & beautiful.

From its scientific name “Terminalia catappa”, the beach almond tree is a common,  & always green found exclusively along the sandy coastline. It is an introduced species native to India that grows wild along many Costa Rican beaches. The tannins that are released from the foliage of the almond tree & fall to the ground, prevent the development of other plants under this tree. The wind, the sun, and the salt of the sea cannot damage this robust tree.

The beach almond tree is not found inside the forest because the darkness of the undergrowth does not seem to allow its survival. The flowers are pollinated by many insects. The “almond” of the tree has little to do with almonds, as we know them. They are edible to humans, both in flesh and seed. Depending on the tree, the taste may vary and there are trees with excellent almonds. Experts see great potential for the development of an important food source for humans. The various macaws already use it as an important source of food, but also the two-toed sloths, bats & squirrels. In Manuel Antonio, it is a common tree to be able to observe the two-toed sloths resting during the day.

The beach almond seems to have also medical benefits: The leaves have anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects, scientifically proven.

Now you know everything about this majestic tree, you may think of it differently while enjoying being in its shadow at the beach!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Test: Which adventure is made for you?

Which adventure is for you?
In Costa Rica for a few days or more, you are looking for things to do during your stay. The thing is, there are so many options that you cannot decide which activity you should do. Here’s a test to help you find the perfect tour!
1- What would describe you most?
  • I love the local experience, discovering the culture & the typical food. In my travel, I want to meet & share with other people & discover more about the country.
  • In that case, you should look at activities like chocolate tours, spice tours, or coffee tours. Available for family, you can discover more about Costa Rican culture while enjoying a great moment.
  • I am an adrenaline fan, I am always looking for exhilarating experiences. I am hardly afraid and I love to surpass myself.
  • There are many ways to get your adrenaline dose here in Costa Rica. Go to question 2 to get a more precise result.
  • I am an animal lover, I have a long checklist of species I want to see here. I love to chase them in their natural habitat & learn more about their habits.
  • Costa Rica has unique & amazing wildlife that you can discover during your stay here. There are many ways to discover wildlife, if you are more attracted to marine life, go to question 3. If you are looking for if you prefer staying on the land, go to question 4.
  • I want to discover new things, live new experiences. I want to enjoy myself by doing something I couldn’t do normally where I live.
  • As we said, so many activities are available for the people coming here. Find the one that suits you best by going to question 5.
2- What do you like most?

Ocean & beaches

Rent a jet ski for a few hours or a paddle or surfboard, these are the best activities for ocean & adventure lovers. Of course, you can also take a scuba diving tour (if you have a license) and discover the world under the waves.

Fly

Did you try skydiving already? Free Falling with a stunning view of the sea and the jungle is really an amazing experience. You can also try parasailing, For up to 3 people, you will be flying over Manuel Antonio Park and the beautiful blue ocean!

Jungle & forest

We just talked about flying, what about flying over the treetops and between the highest trees of a primary rainforest? Try Zip Lining, and discover the jungle from above.

Mountains, rivers & waterfall
The best way to get adrenaline shots: canyoning, rafting, waterfall rappelling… The list is long but we are sure you will love them all!

3- What is your favorite way to see marine wildlife?

By boat or kayak

By taking a whale watching tour or a Damas Mangrove experience you will certainly see a lot of animals and also live great moments!

Snorkeling

Many tours offer snorkeling as it is the easiest way to see the underwater wildlife. You may meet colorful fishes, corals & maybe even a turtle if you are lucky!

Scuba diving

If you have a license, scuba diving is an awesome way to see the marine wildlife up close. You may even see incredible things you couldn’t discover otherwise: sharks, huge shoals of fishes, and breathtaking seabeds.

4- How do you want to see wildlife?

In their natural habitats, in a National Park, or in a protected area.
In that case, you might probably want to take a guided tour to increase your chances to see wildlife even more. You can visit many places like Manuel Antonio, Corcovado & even the jungle at night!

In a specific area where you can see them up close and discover the work of a local association helping wildlife.
Animal sanctuaries would be a perfect solution for you to get close to awesome animals like sloths or monkeys. Associations rescue injured & endangered animals, they keep them in the sanctuary until they can eventually be released to the wild. You can visit those sanctuaries & discover the backstages of this rescue while seeing the animals from very close.

5- What do you like the most?

Learning to do new things

You can try to learn to surf, the Pacific Coast is perfect for surfing & the area of Manuel Antonio is great for beginners! You can also enjoy the ocean while paddle boarding and try to keep your balance. Never driven an ATV before? It’s really easy, don’t worry about it and let’s drive to a beautiful waterfall, crossing local villages and beautiful landscapes.

Discovering Costa Rica while enjoying a fun activity

Horse Riding is a nice way to discover new places & live an unforgettable experience. Zip Lining, as it is available for almost all ages, is one of the best activities to see the forest from a unique point of view. Fly through the treetops, you may even spot some monkeys from there!

Enjoy your time here with your friends, family, or companion

The catamaran tour is a perfect mix of relaxation & adventure. You will get drinks on the boat, a delicious meal, a place to relax & to perfect your tan. But you will also get to snorkel and enjoy the slides. You can also book the afternoon tour & admire the beautiful sunset from the catamaran, sounds great right? If you want to pamper yourself, you can also take a treatment at the spa, a nice way to recharge the batteries.

We hope you found the perfect tour for you after this post. If you need more information, please feel free to send us a message at info@manuelantoniopark.com and we will be glad to give you more information.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Things To Do When it Rains

Things To Do When it Rains

If you’ve ever been to Costa Rica, you may have noticed it rains, sometimes a lot. Don’t let that stop you from the vacation of your life! Here are some suggestions for what to do when it rains.

1. ATV or White Water Rafting

Go on an adventurous tour! Going on an ATV tour is very fun and you usually end up wet and muddy by the end anyway, so don’t let a little rain stop you. Another option is white water rafting, go flying down a river going around rapids with your closest friends, and having the time of your life! Book the ATV Tour here.

2. Go to the Spa

What’s a better way to relax than to get an amazing massage, facial, or even a yoga class at the Raindrop Spa right here inside Manuel Antonio Estates! The massage rooms open up to a beautiful view of the rainforest so you can relax even more listening to the melodic sounds of the animals and the rain. You can check out all the spa has to offer here.

3. Read a Book

Another great thing to do during the rain is to catch up on some reading. It’s a great way to relax and unwind while looking out into the beautiful rainforest.

4. Find a New Cafe and Sip some Java

There are so many charming coffee shops around Costa Rica, find one and enjoy a yummy, warm coffee while waiting out the rain. Emilio’s Cafe in Manuel Antonio is a great place. It’s located in the plaza right next to Playa Biesanz road.

5. Embrace the Rain

Grab your umbrella and rain boots and don’t let the rain stop your exploring! There are lots of critters that come out in the rain and you can have a fun time spotting different types of frogs and more!

6. Take a Nap

Being on vacation can be hard work! Usually, it rains in the afternoon here so that might mean you are getting up early and adventuring all morning! We like to use the afternoon rains to take a well-deserved snooze.

The rainy season usually goes from about May-November with the heaviest months being September and October, but there is still plenty to do during that time! Don’t let the rainy season hinder your vacation!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Fauna & Flora – Chapter 1 The Leafcutter Ant

Fauna & Flora – Chapter 1 The Leafcutter Ant
Facebook Instagram

Fauna & Flora – Chapter 1 The Leafcutter Ant

You will see them a lot here in Costa Rica and in Manuel Antonio Park. The leaf-cutter ants are more amazing than you can even imagine!

Organization

They are following a very specific social organization, ruled by Queen Ant. There are four castes established in the colony: minims, minors, workers & warriors. A mature colony is composed of 7 million ants, mostly sterile female workers. All the ants in the colony are daughters to the Queen Ant. The Queen leaf and is one of the largest in the world and can be 2 inches in size & can live for 20 years. During her life, the Queen and will put on millions of eggs & every year. But she will lay only once a year, about 50 000 at once (from May to June in Costa Rica).

Farming

They farm a special type of fungus in the anthill underground, mulch chewed from leaves bits stripped from specific plants & trees. They use freshly cut plants, saliva & feces to grow the fungus, and protect it from pests & mold which could damage their precious food. You may think they feed on the leaf they bring but they actually eat certain parts of that fungus! And they have been cultivating this fungus for a long time: at least 23 million years. There is a mutual symbiosis between the two species: they cannot live without each other. The two are so connected that every colony starts with a fungus and an ant. The new Queen will take a piece of fungus from where she was born and use it to start her own colony.

Oldest society on the planet

Leaf-cutter ants are really easy to spot: they trace large & clean trails through the tropical rainforest ground, carrying cargo. These ants are very useful for humans too. Indeed, the anthill is formed by the accumulation of material extracted from internal cavities, and the waste area is a high-quality organic fertilizer that can be used for human farming! Their society & way of leaving has survived for tens of millions of years, the ants are one of the most revolutionary on the planet. Next time you will walk around in the jungle, don’t forget to look down at one of the most exciting & interesting species on the planet!

Facebook Instagram

Have a Question?

Feel free to reach out and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have.

Recent Posts
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Get your Uber for the beach!

Get your Uber for the beach!
Uber has arrived on the Pacific Coast, destinations as Liberia, Nicoya, Manuel Antonio & Jaco are now Uber friendly! You can go to the beach easily and at a cheap price. Now, because it is a very new destination, the driver/customer ratio will not be as high as in San Jose, but it is just a question of time and more will show up to the area. For Manuel Antonio, public transportation is still well developed, and you can take the bus that comes every 20 minutes and takes you from Quepos to Manuel Antonio Park, with many other stops along the way! The ride is very cheap (335 colones or less than $1).
Posted on by — Leave a comment

5 reasons you should do a Manuel Antonio Park guided tour

Manuel Antonio Park Guided Tour

You just arrive at Manuel Antonio, or you are planning your stay there and you definitely want to do the National Park. Manuel Antonio Park is one of the most beautiful Parks in Costa Rica and it offers you the opportunity to see many animals in an easily accessible area (there is a path specially made for persons with reduced mobility). It is the smallest in Costa Rica but has a wide variety of tropical plants & wildlife.

Making your researches about the Park, you found out there are two ways to discover the Park: doing it on your own or taking a guided tour. Here is why you should choose option two.

1 – You will see more animals

The guides are certified experts, they know the animal habits and every corner of the Park. You may be able to spot some of them by yourself, but you will miss many of them, hidden in the heights or too small to be seen by yourself only.

2 – Get to know everything about them

Your guide is a knowledge fountain, he will know from the location to their food habits and even the slightest detail of every species. These animals are really special and interesting, and some of them have unique specificities, do not let the opportunity to discover more about them get in the way!

If you book a guided tour with an experienced & bilingual naturalist, be sure he/she is certified by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

3 – See the wildlife more closely

Every guide will have with him/her a high-powered spotting scope and they will adjust it for you so you can see the animals from afar. A two-toe sloth with her baby high in the trees? No problem, with the scope you will be able to see them as if they were next to you! Even the smallest bats, camouflaged on a branch, you will see them easily.

4 – Be able to take great pictures

By using the telescope, you will be able to take beautiful pictures of your tour and of the animals, you have seen. The lent is adapted for smartphones camera, spot the wildlife, and capture the moment without having to zoom x200 and get a pixelated picture.

5 – Benefit from all their advice & tips on the area

Our guides are locals and they know the area very well. If you are looking for a great beach, or a delicious restaurant they will recommend you the best places to go. Also, they are really friendly and make you feel comfortable during the tour and do everything they can to make your experience amazing!

Convinced? Book your Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour HERE & enjoy your stay!

Pura Vida!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Off-road adventure in a hidden part of Manuel Antonio National Park: direction Playa Rey

Playa Rey

From Quepos, take road 235, and then join the 34 direction Dominical. After you cross Rio Naranjo, you will go through a small village called Llamoron Boca Naranjito and there will be a road on your right. Then you just have to keep going on this dirt road until Playa Rey (you can go with a normal car, but we recommend you a 4×4, especially during the rainy season…).

This area is part of Manuel Antonio National Park and you may see animals on your way, mostly birds like herons, egrets, and many shorebirds. The landscapes are typical, wild, and very green. It is really a different way to discover the area, off from the typical path. Playa Rey is well known for being a perfect spot for surfers. The breaks are super clean left and right which perfectly synchronize with large swells. Also, it is a wide and very long beach, if you go further you may find the Playa Savegre which is a beautiful place to see too.

Be careful if you go close to the river, many crocodiles live there… On your way, if you want a place to eat great typical food, at a very good price, we recommend that you go to the Restaurant called Club El Roncador. It is a familiar restaurant, open from 7 am to 10 pm every day.