The resort district of Manuel Antonio on the south coast in Puntarenas Province is one of the best-known parts of Costa Rica, popular and safe, with lots to see and do. Visitors enjoy pristine beaches and lush jungle, thick mangroves and countless waterfalls, much of it within Manuel Antonio National Park. The biodiversity of the flora and fauna is not just a catchphrase here: Expect monkeys, sloths, coati, armadillos, deer, iguanas and so many exotic birds like toucans and macaws they will seem commonplace.
The town of Quepos is the hub, with its own airport if you don’t plan to drive the three hours south from San José. Lots of little red taxis can get you from point A to B. When you’re not lying in a hammock or sipping a fruity drink at one of the numerous beach bars, you’re out sailing and snorkelling, hiking or ATVing through the jungle, kayaking or boating – maybe even skydiving! Excursions can also include a visit to the Greentique Wildlife Refuge to see its butterfly atrium and crocodile lagoon, or to Tortugas de Isla Damas to assist with the release of baby sea turtles.
