Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica’s smallest protected area and was the last place we visited on this expedition. It has a limited area, surrounded on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by palm oil plantations. From all the reserves in the very long list of national parks that preserve Costa Rica’s natural heritage, this is the must visited of them all. We discovered here that nature can coexist with development, if development is done the right way.
During our walks we had a chance to appreciate the smart look of the White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, the well camouflaged feathers of the Common Potoo, and the tremulous call of the near endemic Black-hooded Antshrike, among many other sightings.
The shade of the tropical trees that flanked the beach protected us from the intense sun rays of the dry season. A delightful afternoon found us watching many families enjoying the soft sand and warm waters of the beach. Like us, local Costa Rican families are celebrating holidays, as are families from all around the world.
We are satisfied to be ending our journey here, in a place where the abundance of wildlife seems too good to be true. An entire week in Panama and Costa Rica brought us close to marine birds; humpbacks whales; colonial towns and the modernity of the Panama Canal; the colorful water of Coiba Island Marine National Park; the roughness of Corcovado National Park; and the abundance of Manuel Antonio National Park.
Every single stop contributed to a rising crescendo of memories and feelings that will remain in our minds for many years.
Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica’s smallest protected area and was the last place we visited on this expedition. It has a limited area, surrounded on one side by the Pacific Ocean and on the other by palm oil plantations. From all the reserves in the very long list of national parks that preserve Costa Rica’s natural heritage, this is the must visited of them all. We discovered here that nature can coexist with development, if development is done the right way.
During our walks we had a chance to appreciate the smart look of the White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, the well camouflaged feathers of the Common Potoo, and the tremulous call of the near endemic Black-hooded Antshrike, among many other sightings.
The shade of the tropical trees that flanked the beach protected us from the intense sun rays of the dry season. A delightful afternoon found us watching many families enjoying the soft sand and warm waters of the beach. Like us, local Costa Rican families are celebrating holidays, as are families from all around the world.
We are satisfied to be ending our journey here, in a place where the abundance of wildlife seems too good to be true. An entire week in Panama and Costa Rica brought us close to marine birds; humpbacks whales; colonial towns and the modernity of the Panama Canal; the colorful water of Coiba Island Marine National Park; the roughness of Corcovado National Park; and the abundance of Manuel Antonio National Park.
Every single stop contributed to a rising crescendo of memories and feelings that will remain in our minds for many years.
