Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The Beauty of Manuel Antonio

This is a photo taken at Manuel Antonio Park, one of Costa Rica's most beautiful national treasures, and my favorite destination in this tiny Central American country. I wish we had something nearly as beautiful as Manuel Antonio here in Puerto Rico. During our Arenal Volcano tour, a fellow American traveler had recommended it to us and I am so glad we took his advice! We had a wonderful time hiking, laying out on the beach and seeing quite a few monkeys. Although this park is extremely popular with tourists, they actually do arrive by the busloads, it is still relatively unspoiled.

For those planning to visit Costa Rica, and interested in visiting this gorgeous park, I would recommend you to spend at least two nights in Manuel Antonio. Although the park is not huge, there are a few trails with some spectacular views and the beach is really pretty. If taking public transportation from San Jose, it'll take about 4 hours, and there will be quite a few stops along the way. There are also express buses available. The bus station is located in Quepos, a nearby town, where visitors can find a wide array of affordable dining options and accommodations. Just so you know, the park is closed on Mondays and please do not feed the animals!

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