|
Punta Leona
A private nature reserve and vacation resort with hotel rooms in different categories, located on a beautiful white sand beach. Some of the rooms are up to a 20 minute walk away from the center complex, but there is the possibility of using a shuttle bus around the property.
Playa Herradura
The narrow, dark sanded bay of Herradura has been one of the favorite beaches for Costa Ricans.
Playa Jacó
About 2 1/2 miles long dark sand beach stretching in a long bay. At times, dangerous currents do not allow swimming; there are warning signals on the beach. The town of Jacó has good infrastructure and is very lively with lots of restaurants, bars, discotheques and souvenir shops.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park with an extension of almost 1,800 acres attracts the visitor with gorgeous hiking trails through abundant, tropical jungle which borders white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The evergreen fascinating forest is the home of about 100 species of mammals and 180 kinds of birds. A hiking trail through dense vegetation all around the cape enables you to catch the beautiful sight of 12 smaller islands just in front of it. A splendid combination of nature experience and beach fun.
The seas contain numerous dolphins and, at times, migrating whales are sighted. The dominant trees include black locust (an endangered timber-yielding tree), balsa, monkey comb, bastard cedar and mayflower, among others. The fauna is diverse and some 109 mammal species and 184 species of birds have been spotted. Of particular interest is the beautiful and delightful squirrel monkey, an endangered species now restricted to a very small territory. From the beach, it is possible to see two-toed sloth, raccoons white-nosed coatis, howler and white-faced monkeys, and squirrels. There is a wide range of marine flora and fauna. So far, 10 species of sponge, 19 corals, 24 crustaceans, 17 algae, and 78 fish species have been identified.
Most of the hotels are located on the road between the town of Quepos and the beaches at the national park. An hourly public bus shuttle to the beaches of Manuel Antonio (about 15 minutes) make these hotels an ideal basis for beach lovers as well as for active people (horseback riding, visit of a spice growing farm, canoeing in the nearby river delta with good opportunities to watch crocodiles, hiking and wildlife observation in the national park, etc.)
Entrance fee approx. US $ 8 p.p. The park is closed on Mondays!
>> Tours in and around Manuel Antonio National Park
|
