Fruit vendor, Manuel Antonio National Park.
First in a series of Costa Rica reports. Please see update below.
April, 2006. Before we could explore the wondrous natural beauty of this unique Central American country, we spent a night in the built-up urban zone north of Costa Rica's main airport.
After a hotel stay in Alajuela, we caught a mini-bus out of the capital, San Jose, and headed west through mountains to Puerto Quepos on the Pacific Coast. Situated just down the highway from Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park is both a nature reserve and a major attraction for travellers.
Between the park and Quepos is the tourist zone, an area feeling considerable development pressure. The many hotels, restaurants, rental shops and vendors notwithstanding, one can find jungle serenity by following the beach (Playa Espadilla) into the park and getting on to one of the many hiking trails. You can spot wildlife such as monkeys, frogs, sloths, lizards and an amazing variety of birds or, instead, go find a deserted cove for some secluded swimming in the warm choppy waters.
Playa Espadilla, where it meets the park.
UPDATE, February 25: The Costa Rican government is threatening an imminent closure of the park due to sanitation problems. The story is here. We witnessed nothing "appalling" during our visit, although we were troubled by the blurred distinction between park and resort area. Let's hope a crackdown brings some ecological sanity to this lovely place.
Hit the link for more Manuel Antonio pictures. Next Costa Rica report: Ojochal, Playa Ballenas & Golfito.
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This post subject to minor edits at any time.
Copyright, Michael Farrell, 2009
