Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP PICKS: KIDDY FUN IN MANUEL ANTONIO
Buy a wildlife picture book and make a game out of spotting animals.
Teach your kids how to read a map and use a compass to navigate.
If your older children have an adventurous streak, take them rafting.
Cool off by splashing in the gentle surf at Playa Manuel Antonio.
When in doubt, even the fussiest of tykes love playing in the sand.
Tours
Hiring a guide costs US$25 per person for a two-hour tour. The only guides allowed in the
park are members of Aguila (a local association governed by the park service), who have
official ID badges, and recognized guides from tour agencies or hotels. This is to prevent
visitors from getting ripped off and to ensure a good-quality guide. Aguila guides are well
trained and multilingual (French-, German- or English-speaking guides can be requested).
Visitors report that hiring a guide virtually guarantees wildlife sightings.
Information
Visitors who drive themselves will be accosted with parking touts as they approach
Manuel Antonio Village; the charge is usually US$3. There have been reader reports of
break-ins and thefts, so, as anywhere in the country, never leave anything in your car. Note
that the road here is also very narrow and congested, so it's suggested that you leave your
car at your hotel and take an early-morning bus to the park entrance instead, then simply
walk in.
The park entrance is at the end of the road that forks northeast before you arrive at the
beach roundabout. The ticket window is on the left side of the road; count your change
carefully to ensure you've been given the right amount back. Here you can hire naturalist
guides to take you into the park, see Tours,
Click here
,
for more information.
The ranger station and
national park information center
( 2777-0644)
is just before
Playa Manuel Antonio. Drinking water is available, and there are toilets, beach showers,
picnic tables and a refreshment stand. There is no camping and guards will come around in
the evening to make sure that no one has remained behind. The information center keeps
woefully unpredictable hours.
