Manuel Antonio National Park Facts
- The park was discovered by the Spanish Explorer Ponce de Léon in 1519. He is best known for his futile search for the Fountain of Youth, but at least he found the second best thing: Manuel Antonio!
- Manuel Antonio is the smallest of Costa Rica’s 161 national parks. Despite this, it welcomes 150,000 visitors per year, making it one of the most popular.
- The park was created after the local community pressured its government to put the land under protection from encroaching foreign businesses.
- The park is named after a conquistador who is buried there.
- Most of the time, the park is referred to as a combination of lowland rainforest and beach habitats. However, the park also has a mangrove estuary.
- You can surf at Manuel Antonio National Park! The best surfing is a couple miles south and north of the main beach, Playa Manuel Antonio.
Weather in Manuel Antonio National Park
You can expect the park to be warm no matter the time you visit, temperatures average in the low-to-mid 80’s (high 20’s Celsius) year round. As is the case in most of Costa Rica, packing a poncho is never a bad idea because there is always a slight chance of rain. You can expect the most rain, however, in August through October. January through February are the driest months in Manuel Antonio.
Manuel Antonio National Park Animals
- Some of the animal highlights in Manuel Antonio National Park include:
- Two and three-toed sloths
- Iguanas
- Pacific land crabs
- White-faced monkeys
- Squirrel monkeys
- Howler monkeys
- Coatimundis
- Raccoons
- Chestnut-mandibled toucan
- Pelicans
- Magnificent frigatebird
- Mangrove hummingbird
- Basilisk lizards
- Red-eyed tree frogs
- Parrot snakes
Crocodile Bridge
Also, if you want to get a look at some crocodiles, one the best spots to do so is the nearby “Crocodile Bridge.” This bridge, which runs over the Tarcoles River, is known for the unusual number of large crocodiles which gather there. Locals suggest that the crocodiles are able to get so large because they feed on any unlucky cows that wade too deep into the water.
Over the year, the bridge has become a well known tourist attraction, with plenty of restaurants nearby. We recommend grabbing a freshly cut coconut and having a drink while you enjoy (or at least, try to enjoy) the view.