Costa Rica “Manuel Antonio”
Manuel Antonio just may be the most visited beach in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio Beach, is also, really, 3 beaches. I will be offering a description of the three beaches bellow. If you are going to travel to Costa Rica, I strongly suggest visiting Manuel Antonio. How can you go wrong with visiting a place that claims there are still more Monkeys than people.The Public Beach
Although this is the ugliest of the three beaches, it is still more beautiful than most beaches in Costa Rica. It is a long sweeping beach, with all but one hotel located on the beach. This hotel is a 2 star at best, and is mostly used by locals due to the low cost of staying there. My favorite part of chilling at the public beach is that I can rent a chair and buy some drinks and snacks while I relax (both of which are not possible inside the national park).
1st Beach Inside the Park
When you enter the national park, you will embark on a path that takes you to the first beach located on your right hand side. This is my favorite of the three beaches. What I like most about this beach is that very few people decide to spend their day there, as they move on to the furthest beach. I also love the constant waves that show up on this beach.
2nd Beach Inside the Park
It should take you no more than 10 minutes to get to the second beach (from the entrance of the park), and when you do you will be glad you spent the $10 to get in. This U shape beach curves perfectly and the sand is as white and pristine as it gets. The park closes at 3pm, so make sure you get there early. The sun sets East of this beach, so you wouldn’t be missing much. If you want to catch the sunset, I strongly suggest going for drinks at a local restaurant or bar set on top of the hill.
A lush rainforest, smooth beaches and sport fishing, all in a relatively unspoiled environment, draw travelers to the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. The region’s “dry” high season runs from December through April, with its “green” wet season the rest of the year, so plan accordingly. While not totally engulfed by tourism—yet—the area caters to travelers with hotel packages, plenty of tour operators and abundant ocean-view rooms and restaurants.
Manuel Antonio is among the top travel destinations in Costa Rica. The Manuel Antonio National Park is a joy to explore, both by yourself or with a guide, and the nearby town of Quepos provides additional amenities and services to those choosing to visit this part of Costa Rica’s western coast. The peak season for Manuel Antonio Costa Rica travel is between the months of December and April, and between the bars in Quepos and the disco near Manuel Antonio beach, there is plenty of exciting nightlife. The main road between Manuel Antonio and Quepos is where you can find a plethora of choices for a Manuel Antonio hotel, as well as various shopping outlets selling souvenirs, beachwear and English-language publications. The six-block center of Quepos offers restaurants, galleries, shops and cafes and can be a great place to hang out when you are not enjoying Manuel Antonio National Park. As the beaches here are part of the overall draw, you may be thinking of finding a Manuel Antonio hotel on one. While there are some choices for beachfront hotels here, the nicest hotels are generally found on the hillsides.
More and more Manuel Antonio luxury hotels seem to be springing up in the area, and among the best is the Star La Landia. It offers four options for bed and breakfast style suites, and might be ideal for a romantic getaway. Another of the top Manuel Antonio luxury hotels is the Makanda by the Sea. Boasting one of the park’s best restaurants and offering in-room spa and massage treatments, the Makanda’s studios and villas provide elegant space and utility. One of the more interesting Manuel Antonio luxury hotels would have to be the Hotel Sí Como No. Among the plentiful facilities here is a state-of-the-art movie theater, which plays English-language movies. You can choose from a nice standard room to a deluxe room or suite, and if you come during the offseason, you can expect lower rates, which is true of most, if not all of the area hotels.
If you prefer a mid-priced Manuel Antonio hotel, worthy candidates might include the Villas Nicolás, or the Hotel Verde Mar. Staying true to its name, Villas Nicolás offers villas, and large ones at that. Nestled on a jungle hillside, the terraced villas here offer some nice balconies, some of which feature chairs and hammocks. The Hotel Verde Mar offers rooms of varying size, some of which are pretty far from the main reception area. Guests here can enjoy the hotel’s private rainforest trails, and the 3 hillside pools provide bathers with excellent ocean views. The Hotel Plinio is another moderately-priced Manuel Antonio hotel that you might consider, as rates here are generally a bit lower than the aforementioned establishments. The Hotel Plinio has a popular restaurant, and the campground nearby offers fire pits, showers and bathrooms.
Those looking to save money on Manuel Antonio Costa Rica hotels will find a nice collection of low-priced options, including the Hotel Quepos and the Cabinas Pedro Miguel. It is important to note that the budget hotels found near Manuel Antonio Park are generally priced a bit higher than they are in other parts of the country, especially during the high season. The Hotel Quepos is surely one of the lower-priced Manuel Antonio Costa Rica hotels, and it is located just across the town’s main soccer field. Its clean and comfortable rooms provide good bang for your buck, and the hotel’s friendly staff goes a long way to make your stay here more enjoyable. The Cabinas Pedro Miguel hotel is located on the main road between Quepos and the park, across from the Hotel Plinio. It offers just 16 units, among which the best are the second floor choices. Further down the road, the Cabinas Vela-Bar also offers good room choices for budget-minded visitors.
With a Manuel Antonio hotel for pretty much any budget, spending some time here during a Costa Rica vacation is ideal for just about anyone passing through. Vacation rentals are also becoming more available here, with options both luxurious and moderate. With the town of Quepos nearby, the area offers some lively nightlife during the peak months, and in February, the month-long Festival de la Mar is responsible for concerts, festivals and parades. You can drive to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica from the airport in San Jose, and the trip takes about 3 hours. Or, you can take a 30-minute flight to Quepos from the capital, if you prefer. Daily buses from San Jose make their way to this part of the coast, and you can also find routes leading here from other coastal hot spots, such as the province of Puntarenas, or the city of Dominical.
Getting from San Jose to Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio may be Costa Rica’s best-known tourist destination, but it is also about three and a half hours away by car from the international airport in San Jose. There are several choices for getting from one point to the other, and regardless of what method you prefer, you are sure to enjoy a unique travel experience. There is no doubt that Manuel Antonio is a great vacation spot that offers an impressive variety of activities for people of all ages and inclinations. With careful planning, you can solve many problems and truly enjoy your visit. For the most part, you’ll avoid the crowds if you plan your trip from April through November, rather than during the peak months. If that isn’t possible, at least remember that families and young people from San Jose flock to the beach on weekends.
By air
Since it only involves a 20-minute flight that leaves frequently from the airport, this is the quickest way to reach San Antonio. It is also the favorite method of travel for high-end tourists who plan on staying at the resort’s four-star hotels and visiting its luxurious spas. Some travelers tend to become anxious since the planes are quite small, and the amount of luggage they can store may also be limited. Those who choose this option will land in Quepos, which is serviced by Grupo Taca and Sansa Airlines, and go onto Manuel Antonio by cab from there.
By Bus
Any visitor who has a strong desire to experience the country’s culture will find that taking the bus is the best choice for them. The fares are very reasonable, and the express bus, which leaves from the Coca Cola terminal, will also get you there in three and a half hours. You won’t need a reservation, the bus leaves three times daily, and you will enjoy the both ride and the scenery.
By Car
If you are the adventuresome type and like to set out on your own, you should probably rent a car in San Jose. As a rule, driving in Costa Rica is not a problem, but you will notice at once that the roads aren’t as clearly marked as they are in the United States and other countries. Because the road to Quepos is bumpy and wildlife from the rainforest crosses the road, you will want a car with four-wheel drive. The ride is very picturesque, and you can visit rainforest “lookouts” and small restaurants along the way.
Leaving the airport and getting on to Highway1 can be tricky. Once you do, you will be heading west and exit at the sign that reads “to Alajuela.” First, you will looping back toward the airport, and when the road splits, take the exit for San Ramon, which is on the left. Leave Highway 1 at the Atenas sign, continue until you reach Orotina and exit when you get to the Jaco sign. (There will be no more turns until you arrive in Manuel Antonio.)
By Private Transportation
While this may be the most expensive way to travel in Costa Rica, it will also give you peace of mind because you won’t be concerned about getting directions, damaging the car, road conditions, or break-ins, as you will if you rent a car. While the cars might not be too fancy, this is essentially the equivalent to a limo or chauffeur service.
