Manuel Antonio National Park
Our last day of our trip through the wonders of Panama and Costa Rica started anchored close to Costa Rica’s most visited National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park! We arrived before the park had opened and took advantage of this early arrival. Two options were offered to explore this park. One was a long hike to Cathedral Point and the other option was a hike through an interesting trail known as “Sloth Valley Trail.” On shore, we were welcomed by a troop of white face capuchin monkeys, well known to be “the tool masters“ of the park for their ability to use tools to help them get food or to defend themselves from possible predators. They approached us to see if we were going to leave something unattended that could be of good us to them.
The hike to Cathedral Point revealed that it is a wedge-shaped piece of land that used to be an island that now is connected to the mainland by a neck of land known as a tombolo. Tombolo is a deposit of sand that builds up over thousands of years and finally connects an island to mainland. Through its trails, we enjoyed the beauty of a lush forest, home of big families of agouties, chestnut back antbirds, howler monkeys and many others. As we approached the “Sloth Valley Trail,” other animals began to show up too. A big two toed sloth, which are more active at night, decided to show us that he could move fast through the branches to reach his food. Spiny-tailed iguanas were sunbathing, being imitated by several visitors to the park that also know that this place has beautiful beaches to enjoy. Raccoons, agouties, Jesus Christ Lizards, Common Potoos, Lesser night hawks, Spurrels flying frogs and many more animals showed up to give proof that the parks holds in its limit a big example of biodiversity.
We spent the rest of the day on the beach hoping that we would not leave. We made memories of the past seven days we have shared together enjoying everything from the advanced technology used in the Panama Canal to the big efforts being done to protect the remains of the rainforests of Panama and Costa Rica. Our journey has ended, but we know that the paradise of Panama and Costa Rica will remain in our hearts and minds forever!
