About Manuel Antonio
On the Central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio has the best of what Costa Rica has to offer. Abundant wildlife, white sand beaches, lush jungle and of course superb vacation rental villas.
With stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean the breezy road that leads from the town of Quepos over the hill to Manuel Antonio National park has attracted first-class restaurants, luxurious vacation rentals, elegant villas and hotels. The road descends until it reaches a series of half-moon, jungle-clad beaches that are located both inside the park and along the stretch of coastline by the park. These attractive beaches are popular amongst locals and tourists and offer possibilities for surfing and kayaking.
Despite being the smallest national park in Costa Rica, the 682 hectares of Manuel Antonio National Park contain an abundance of rare and exotic animals including sloth, agoutis, coatis, 200 species of birds, howler, capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Making their home amidst the almond trees, leafy rainforests, mangrove swamps and rocky outcrops of the park these animals are best spotted early in the morning.
A whole day can be quite easily spent exploring the numerous trails that cut through the humid tropical jungle of the park. However, in order to appreciate the full magnificence of the area, visitors should head up to Cathedral Point, a lookout affording incredible views over the islands of the park and the Pacific Ocean. Formerly an island, Cathedral Point is joined to the mainland via a tombolo formed over thousands of years.
Located 7km from Manuel Antonio National Park lays the town of Quepos. Previously used to export bananas, this small port town was once home to the Quepoa Indians - a sub-tribe of the Boruca, famed for their beauty and fighting skills. Now, despite looking slightly run-down, Quepos has some very fine restaurants, bars, shops, a flourishing sportsfishing industry, friendly inhabitants and a decent nightlife.
In terms of villa rentals in Manuel Antonio, the focus generally tends to be on high-end luxury, however there are also some mid-range options to be found. The best villas for rent have stunning views of the Pacific ocean, and there are also a few beach front villa options. There are various villas in the area which are perfect for intimate romantic getaways or honeymoons, coming fully staffed and with romantic touches such as jacuzzi's. Many of the Manuel Antonio villas are also perfect for larger groups coming for spring break or sportsfishing trips, with many being able to accommodate up to 20 people.
