Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
Looking into an incredible sunrise we found Punta Catedral. We could hear the sound of the waves that softly touched the sides of the cliff. This unusual formation is a Tombolo that consists of an island being connected to the main land by a sedimentary sand bar. This narrow strip of sand formed only throughout the last fifteen thousand years.
Manuel Antonio is amongst the smallest in the National Park System of Costa Rica. This wonderful nature preserve was waiting for us to take two different options. Some took the long walk while others enjoyed the flat walk with great sightings of different animals such as the two and three toed sloths. The three species of primates found in the park were roaming around our groups on the different walks. The white faced capuccins came close to the beach looking for food, while the howler monkeys seemed to want to sleep all the time while they digest the leaves they eat. The squirrel showed amazing skills as they moved in the treetops. Agoutis and many species of birds were spotted along the way.
After a great week of watching wildlife a few just decided to sit under the shade to relax and enjoy the white sand beaches of this piece of heaven.
After an exiting and relaxing morning we got back on board to have a delicious lunch and navigate along the coast. Terns, gulls, spotted dolphins and even a humpback whale were spotted from the outer decks.
We arrived at the dock by sunset. Dinner was served in the calm bay of Herradura. We closed a week of magnificent places from Panama to Costa Rica. I know that we will all remember the journey in the patch of heaven of Central America. The land of the natural wonders.
