Story: Manuel Antonio: National Park and Natural Paradise

Manuel Antonio National Park is an absolute gem in the impressive Costa Rican national parks system. Located along the Pacific coast near the banana-shipping town of Quepos, Manuel Antonio is a small park, but so many unique features are packed into this stunning area that I consider it to be one of the must-see national parks of the world. Here the dense jungle comes right up to the beach in many places, allowing bathers a shady refuge from the hot Costa Rican sun. Two and three toed sloths meet white capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and a plethora of birds. This is spot encompasses my quintessential Costa Rican dream.

In order to get to Manuel Antonio, one must pass through the town of Manuel Antonio, a hilly town that offers both funky and luxury accommodations, most of which are situated on rocky cliffs with exquisite views of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the area is hip and modern with a Costa Rican flair. Banana trees grace the roadsides, and sumptuous, colorful flowers are everywhere. Near the park entrance, vendors sell their items in tents and on tables. It is worthwhile to peruse this area; while many are run-of-the-mill tacky tourist items, there can be some real unique finds.

To get into the park proper, one must cross through water. At low tide, there is a small stream through which it is easy to walk, but at high tide, it is necessary to pay a boatman to cross into the park. Once past the park entrance, you are transported into another world. There are three beaches here that seem to be occupied by locals (or Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves) and tourists alike. However, as they never allow more than 600 people in here at a time, it never seems too crowded.

My goal: to find monkeys and sloths. My boyfriend, his mother and I walk along one of the many trails that leads through the thick, lush rain forests where, in places, it is so dark that I have to use my flash to take pictures. We pass the poisonous Manzanillo tree, indicated by a sign warning us not to touch or eat it. I am in awe of the beauty of my surroundings. The music of Antonio Carlos Jobim pops into my head, the perfect soundtrack. We follow a cool, clear stream downhill, cutting through the curtained thicket and find that it leads to a rocky beach where people are swimming and sunbathing. On the beach, the largest iguana I have ever seen crosses my path. My clothes stick to my body because of the oppressive humidity, and I wish that I had planned better and brought my swimsuit.

Despite the heat and humidity, my goal has been set and we must continue onwards. We head back up into the jungle and walk until we see some people stopped on the trail watching something intensely. A group of white capuchin monkeys are putting on a show for their audience, gracefully swinging from limb to limb in a hypnotic dance. My boyfriend's mother, carrying a plastic bag that had previously contained her breakfast papaya, is approached by a monkey. He grabs the bag and tries to yank it from her hands. Being as feisty as a monkey herself, she yanks the bag back and the monkey runs back to join his friends in the tree. Part of my goal is fulfilled. We never did see a sloth at Manuel Antonio, but we did see one later on our trip in the mountains outside of San Jose.

Although we only spend a few hours at Manuel Antonio National Park, the impression it leaves on me is monumental. I dream of going back there and spending several days; laying on the beach, swimming in the sea, finding those pesky monkeys again, dancing to the beat of Jobim, smelling the sweet, fruit-scented air, and just gazing and the magnificence of the surroundings. Manuel Antonio should be at the top of any Costa Rican itinerary. It is a few hours from San Jose, but after all, finding a little piece of paradise should be worth it.