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Manuel Antonio National Park, in Spanish “Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio”, is a small National Park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 132 km from the national capital of San José. Established in 1972 with an area enumerating 4,014 acres (16.24 km2) (the smallest of any Costa Rican national park), it is the destination of as many as 150,000 visitors annually and well-known for its beautiful beaches and hiking.
Although Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's smallest national park, the diversity of wildlife in its 6.83 km² is unequaled with 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds.[5] Both Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth and Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (perezosos) are a major feature, as are three of Costa Rica's four monkey species — the Mantled Howler monkey, Central American Squirrel Monkey, and White-headed Capuchin monkey. Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, Green Iguana, Common Basilisk, White-nosed Coati and many snake and bat species are also common in the park. Included in the 184 bird species[5] are toucans, woodpeckers, potoos, motmots, tanagers, Turkey Vulture, parakeets and hawks. Dolphins can be observed there, as well as the occasional migrating whale. Scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking provide opportunities to experience the tropical wildlife that enriches Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's second most visited park behind the Poas National Park[citation needed] which lies very close to San José, the country's largest urban area. The park's popularity has led to development of the surrounding areas, with environmental impacts to nearby forests and beaches.
Beaches
Four beaches are contained within the limits of the park: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Escondido, and Playita. With their large light sand berms, it is easy to see why they attract beach goers of all ages. The first is separated from the second by a "tombolo", or natural land bridge formed by sand accumulations. Visitors may enjoy a roughly hour-long hike from Espadilla to the top of Punta Catedral (100 m). Both Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur contain tidal pools and offer the possibility of snorkeling.
There are no lifeguards and precaution must be taken, as riptides occur.
Similarly, tourists are ordered to vacate the park before 16.00 (4:00 P.M.) every day, on the basis that the incoming tide cuts off the park's exit and allows the entry of crocodiles into the area.
Many visitors pass through a stream to enter the park, although currently this entrance to the park has been closed because tests from the government's water company (AyA) have shown it to be highly contaminated with fecal coliforms. This contamination is due to the lack of sewage treatment and the dumping of raw sewage into the stream by local businesses and residents.[2] In addition, the beach where many hotels and restaurants are located at the entrance to the park (Playa Espadilla) contain large amounts of gray water and sewage runoff. Currently visitors must enjoy the beaches inside and close to the park at their own risk.
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