Manuel Antonio National Park

We started our expedition visiting Manuel Antonio National Park. It is filled with wildlife even though it is one of Costa Rica smallest parks. It is located on the Pacific coast and near an attractive beach. Manuel Antonio offers an incredible selection of birds, mammals, reptiles and other species that we were able to enjoy as we walked along the trails.

Our first encounter was with troops of Mantled Howler Monkeys. Typically loud and lazy, these Howlers were on a mission as they dashed through the canopy foraging for their early breakfast. Howling and jumping from one branch to another over the trail gave us a great display of aerial acrobatics.

In total, eight different species of mammals including White-Tailed Deer, Crab-Eating Raccoons, Agouti, Long-Nosed Bats, Three-Toed Sloths and Two-toed Sloths, delighted us all morning. At the end of our walk, we had time to enjoy the tropical warm waters, breeze, sand and sun as we took a dip in the local beach near Manuel Antonio and submerge in a state of relaxation.

While relaxing at the beach, we were interrupted by a small troop of White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys. Traveling around the ground to cross an open area, we observed these animals up and close, as they show us the true definition of monkey-like behavior.

In the end, we had to say goodbye. We returned to the ship and navigated towards our next destination. During the afternoon, we enjoyed a well deserved siesta. After dinner, we had a presentation about Costa Rican history and the four corner stone’s that the country is built on. The corner stone’s are Democracy, Equal Distribution of Wealth, Education, and the most important Conservation. It is because of these four factors that we can say in Costa Rica, Pura Vida! Sit back and enjoy the ride.