The central pacific coastal town of Manuel Antonio is widely regarded as one of Costa Rica's most pristine areas. From being known as the home of the infamous Manuel Antonio National Park, where monkey sightings are a near guarantee, to boasting the country's best sportfishing, to world-renowned surfing, to its vibrant night scene, full of tropical drinks and salsa dancing, this small, intimate gem of a village draws visitors from clear across the world.
Visit www.manuelantoniocostarica.com for more information.
About Manuel Antonio
Upon arrival, one must pass through the sister town of Quepos, which lies peacefully at the bottom of the hill that links it to Manuel Antonio. Quepos is authentic Costa Rica, where the locals reside, build families and own businesses. The hill to Manuel Antonio is dotted with a plethora of quaint hotels & restaurants, providing an unmatched panoramic view of the ocean and accompanying beach.
While Manuel Antonio certainly has its fair share of tourism, beaches remain calm and complacent & the area is characterized by a pleasant mix of local tradition and modern amenities. Like most of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio's economy is tourism based, and therefore tourists are quite welcome by native Costa Ricans, who are known to be some of the friendliest people of Latin America. The national slogan of "Pura Vida," or "Pure Life," serves to reinforce this notion, which roughly translates to a work hard, play hard mentality.
Among the many popular tourist activies available, outdoor adventure tops the charts of must-dos while in Manuel Antonio. "Tours" offering ATVing, ziplining through the rainforest, jet-skiing on the ocean, snorkeling & diving and kayaking are all highly-recommended and sure to add a little excitement to any vacation. And even while logging some sun-time in the sand, dolphin & humpback whale sightings are known to occur from time to time.
After the sun sets, be on the look out for the 2 for 1 happy hours, which are quite common. While dining out, many restaurants are characterized by an open-air ambience, with the lush greeneries of the flora and fauna accompanying you from behind glassless windows. One of Manuel Antonio's most notable restaurants, El Avion, is easily recognizable by its architecture: The restaurant is a converted airplane! (Read the history of El Avion at: http://www.costaverde.com/avion01.htm) Obviously seafood here is a specialty--be sure to try the ceviche.
After dinner, salsa & merengue music fills the air. Some Manuel Antonio restaurants clear their tables & form a makeshift dancefloor; others, such as the famous Discoteca in Quepos are for serious dancers only. The disco keeps its doors open until the wee hours of the early morning, and is a common place to go at the end of the night.
Overall, thanks to a wide number of diverse attractions, Manuel Antonio is an ideal location to bring the troops, come with a significant other or even fly solo. If the latter appeals to you, many single travelers opt for Spanish lessons; it's a great way make friends from around the world (and have someone to go to dinner with) while brushing up your language skills. I recommend Academia de Español de Amore (www.academiadamore.com), located on the hill in Manuel Antonio.
