Manuel Antonio
From Wikitravel
Manuel Antonio is in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica due to its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. The area that is Manuel Antonio stretches from the town of Quepos and then along an approximately 8km road up a mountain and then back down, finishing at the entrance of the Manuel Antonio National Park and the beautiful playa espadilla . The road to the beach and park is surrounded either side by a large number of hotels and restaurants, offering the visitor a large selection of places to stay and eat.
[edit] Get in
From San Jose, Manuel Antonio can be reached by either bus or plane, via the airport 5 min outside of Quepos Shuttle bus companies like Interbus and Fantasy Bus also run trips about twice a day between this area and other popular places all around Costa Rica.
[edit] Get around
Buses run up and down the mountain every 30 minutes during the day stopping at many places along the way. Cost is approximately $0.40. Taxis are also readily available at approx $6 from Quepos to Manuel Antonio. Scooters and cars can also be rented by those who feel a little more adventurous.
[edit][add listing] See
A must-see is the Manuel Antonio National Park as well as the beautiful beaches. Don't miss the monkeys crossing the road in the afternoons or the spectacular sunsets which can be seen from many of the restaurants and hotels along the road.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Oceans Unlimited, (On the Manuel Antonio road heading out of Quepos), ☎ 2777-3171, [1]. Scuba diving and snorkeling tours. PADI gold Palm dive center offering a full range of courses Varies. edit
The list of activities in Manuel Antonio is endless. Some of the most popular activities include trips to the park and zip-lining and snorkeling.
Park Tours Guides can be found very easily around the entrance to the park from early in the morning. Prices per person can be around $25
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling[2] There are around 15 local dive sites as well as offshore sites in the Manuel Antonio area. Sites vary in ability and wildlife and Try Dives for those that have never been before are also available. For those that want to stay above the water snorkeling and coastal tours with whale watching are also available. Depending on the season humpback whales can be spotted near shore, and dolphins feeding is a regular occurrence during the afternoons.
Avoid the sunset tour. They claim they sail on the sail boat and do snorkeling but they just run the engines and the water isn't clear. It's a huge rip off.
Zip-lining[3] [4]. A large number of canopy tours are available in this area. They involve zipping through the trees at high speed and are thoroughly enjoyed by all. Depending on the company, some tours also involve rappels and Tarzan swings so are not recommended for those of you that have an aversion to heights.
White water Rafting [5] Two rivers are near Manuel Antonio, the Naranjo and the Savegre. Depending on the season the rivers will vary in strength and speed from a Class II - III during dry season up to a Class IV during wet season. The Naranjo tends to be the faster river with a particular stretch further upstream known as El Chorro sometimes reaching a class V even during the dryer months.
- H2O Adventures, (25meter East of the Catholic Church in Quepos), ☎ 2777-4092 (info@h2ocr.com, fax: 2777-4094), [6]. edit
Horse-back Tours A variety of tours are available both along the beach and to some of the local forest areas and waterfalls. Most companies provide a selection of different tours that you can choose from
Mangrove tours Take a trip through the mangroves checking out some of the incredible wildlife.
Spice Tour Check out the local Vanilla farm and get to sample some of the amazing products produced by Villa Vanilla.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Check out the large selection of souvenirs and gifts being sold along the beach and by the entrance to the park
[edit][add listing] Eat
The great kabobs and steaks at La Cantina
Take in the incredible sunset and soak up the great atmosphere, whilst enjoying a mix of American and Tico food at Aqua Azul
Tapas and beers with style at Salsipuedes
Excellent 2-for-1 happy hour right by the beach at The Marlin
Nachos and that famous view at Barba Roja
Good value and a large menu at the famous El Avion
Very tasty Italian cuisine at El Gato Negro
Great food and decent menu at Dos Cocos El Meson across the street from The Marlin.
- Billfish Sportsbar & Grill (Byblos Sportsbar at Billfish), Main Road to Manuel Antonio Park (3 Kilometers from Quepos on Left), ☎ +506-2777-0411, [7]. 6:00pm to Midnight. Billfish Sportsbar & Grill is a favorite for watching International Sports are their large screen TVs. Offering the usual Sportsbar fare, as well as dinner specialties fresh off the grill, its the perfect casual nightspot. Located next to the Byblos Casino, it is one of the few places to enjoy nightlife in Manuel Antonio. Monday night is Ladies Night!! $3 & up. edit
- Sunspot Bar & Grill (Makanda's Sunspot Restaurant), Main Road to Manuel Antonio Park (Turn right at Cafe Milagro and follow signs), ☎ +506-2777-0442, [8]. 11:00am to 10:00pm. One of Manuel Antonio's few award winning restaurants, Sunspot Bar & Grill offers International and Local Specialties prepared on the grill. Using only the freshest and finest ingredients, Sunspot and it's adults only ambience is the perfect choice for fabulous sunset views or that special Romantic Escape!! $5 & up. edit
- Bistro Restaurant & Pizzeria (Byblos Bistro Pizzeria), Main Road to Manuel Antonio Park (3 Kilometers on Left), ☎ ]506-2777-0411, [9]. Bistro Restaurant offers Italian and International Specialties in a casually elegant poolside atmosphere. An excellent location for monkey sightings, it is known for the best brick oven pizza in town. Take out orders gladly accepted. $3 & up. edit
- El Mirador, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort (Manuel Antonio), ☎ 506-2777-2777 info@arenasdelmar.com, [10]. El Mirador hangs over the Espadilla Beach with its white sand beaches and the sparkling Pacific Ocean and overlooks the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park. Gorgeous sunsets can be enjoyed along with fantastic fresh lobster, squid, sea bass, and other delicacies at this authentic full-service Costa Rican fusion restaurant. edit
- Playitas Restaurant and Bar, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort (Manuel Antonio), ☎ 506-2777-2777 info@arenasdelmar.com, [11]. Situated next to Arenas del Mar’s secluded white sand Playitas beach, guests can choose their favorite drink or cocktail of the day and enjoy the sound of the waves and the sea breezes. We offer light but elegant foods just steps away from one of the world’s most spectacular beaches, surrounded by rain forests with white faced monkeys chattering, Howler monkeys bellowing and above, and sloths lazing in the trees. edit
[edit][add listing] Drink
Enjoy a cocktail at sunset on the beach or at either Aqua Azul or Barba Roja to soak up the spectacular views.
Monday night ladies night at Byblos bar
Tuesday and Friday Night live salsa and good drinking at Bambu Jam
Friday Night ladies night at Sargento Garcia
Saturday Night, party into the early hours at Barba Roja
The disco in Quepos is open most nights until about 5am.
- El Mirador Bar, Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort (Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica), ☎ 506-2777-2777 info@arenasdelmar.com, [12]. Serves a great variety of natural and Costa Rican style drinks such as horchata made with rice, milk, cinnamon and peanuts or a refreshing agua de sapo that combines the flavors of lime, ginger and cane syrup. Or try a guaro mojito prepared with aguardiente, typical Costa Rican liquor made with sugarcane. Also has a long wine list and organic shade grown coffee. edit
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Huge number of hotels and hostels to choose from. For those that are budget minded remember that the hostels in Manuel Antonio can fill up so it's good to ring in advance. These are Costa Linda and Hostel Vista Serena. A larger number of cheaper accommodations are available in Quepos.
Around the Easter and Christmas period, vacancies can be hard to find so it is wise to book ahead. A large number of houses and apartments are also available to rent and many come with personal chefs as well.
Some of the bigger hotels in the area include
- Hotel Parador
- Cabinas Espadilla
- Hotel Vela-Bar
- Si Como No,
- La Mariposa,
- Coste Verde (with a unique suite crafted from a scrap Boeing 727 jet fuselage),
- Gaia,
- La Mansion,
- Hotel Arenas del Mar [13],
- Issimo Suites,
- Mono Azul,[14],
- Hotel Makanda by the Sea (Makanda by the Sea Hotel), Main Road to Manuel Antonio Park (Turn right at Cafe Milagro, follow signs), ☎ +506-2777-0442, [15]. checkin: 2:00pm; checkout: 12:00 noon. Hotel Makanda By the Sea contains 12 acres of wildlife sanctuary, 100 meters above the ocean. Villas and studios are located throughout botanical rainforest gardens with views over the sixty mile coastline. $200 night. (9.24.10.30N,84.9.40.50W) edit
- Byblos Resort & Casino (Hotel featuring private jungle bungalows in Manuel Antonio-Quepos), Main Road to Manuel Antonio Park (3 Kilometers past Quepos on Left), ☎ +506-2777-0411, [16]. checkin: 3:00pm; checkout: 12:00noon. Three star accommodations in jungle style lodgings. Free wifi. $110 night. (9.39673418751348,-84.15355682373047) edit
- Arenas del Mar Hotel, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (Road to Manuel Antonio National Park take right at Hotel Mariposa), ☎ 506-2777-2777 info@arenasdelmar.com, [17]. checkin: 2pm; checkout: 11am. Rooms with views of Manuel Antonio National Park, a spa, two restaurants featuring local, Costa Rican-fusion cuisine, access to two pristine beaches, a private reserve and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and community development. Located within 11 acres of primary and secondary rain forest home to wildlife such as White Face Monkeys and sloth. Sustainable features of the hotel include the use of electric cars on property, a private reserve, solar panels to heat hot water, the use of biodegradable cleaning products, etc. edit
[edit] Contact
[edit] Get out
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