Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
The first day of our voyage began with an early start, disembarking onto the first beach inside the Manuel Antonio National Park. Once we had the park ranger’s permission – and tickets – we hopped on our Zodiacs and landed on the soft white sand. This park is one of the most visited in the Costa Rican park system, as it is of easy access and with amazing and inviting white beaches. Both Ticos (as Costa Ricans are called) and foreigners come every day to enjoy not only its beaches, but the trails and its very assertive wildlife. This park is any visitor’s dream come true! We are not the exception… Two species of sloths, two species of monkeys, agoutis, coatis, deer, bats, birds galore, a few reptiles, and a large array of plants welcomed all of us into their home.
We divided into two groups: one took the more difficult walk, the Cathedral point trail – also known as the stair master of the rainforest – and the second group decided to take a flatter path called the Sloth Valley trail… No personal allusions!! Both walks delivered as expected!
Back on board for lunch, many decide not to go back out, but a few decided to go back to the beach, and a few others decided to go horseback riding! These few took a small van and ventured into the towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos for a ride in the rainforest. The tide range surprised most everyone, as for today it was 14 feet of difference between the low and the high tides. Wow, what a difference! Now we understand why we call these "wet landings". Our Zodiac drivers proved today why they do what they do. Hurrah for them!
We will cruise for the most part of the evening heading towards a destination that has all of our staff and crew members very excited! We are moving to the southern side of Costa Rica, first to the South Pacific Costa Rican sea mound and later to Corcovado National Park.
The first day of our voyage began with an early start, disembarking onto the first beach inside the Manuel Antonio National Park. Once we had the park ranger’s permission – and tickets – we hopped on our Zodiacs and landed on the soft white sand. This park is one of the most visited in the Costa Rican park system, as it is of easy access and with amazing and inviting white beaches. Both Ticos (as Costa Ricans are called) and foreigners come every day to enjoy not only its beaches, but the trails and its very assertive wildlife. This park is any visitor’s dream come true! We are not the exception… Two species of sloths, two species of monkeys, agoutis, coatis, deer, bats, birds galore, a few reptiles, and a large array of plants welcomed all of us into their home.
We divided into two groups: one took the more difficult walk, the Cathedral point trail – also known as the stair master of the rainforest – and the second group decided to take a flatter path called the Sloth Valley trail… No personal allusions!! Both walks delivered as expected!
Back on board for lunch, many decide not to go back out, but a few decided to go back to the beach, and a few others decided to go horseback riding! These few took a small van and ventured into the towns of Manuel Antonio and Quepos for a ride in the rainforest. The tide range surprised most everyone, as for today it was 14 feet of difference between the low and the high tides. Wow, what a difference! Now we understand why we call these "wet landings". Our Zodiac drivers proved today why they do what they do. Hurrah for them!
We will cruise for the most part of the evening heading towards a destination that has all of our staff and crew members very excited! We are moving to the southern side of Costa Rica, first to the South Pacific Costa Rican sea mound and later to Corcovado National Park.
