Manuel Antonio

Be able to swim. The waves are quite powerful and rip tide is a factor even for swimmers. Those who can’t swim shouldn’t go in much if any farther than the hips.

Manuel Antonio was super warm and humid (I just got back, I was there in late March 2007), and during the day it was pretty uncomfortable to be outside. We took a taxi to Manuel Antonio National Park, where the best beaches are. You can even see some wildlife, and we saw iguanas, Capuchin monkeys, and an anteater.

We spent the morning at the lovely beach and I somehow managed to sunburn my shins. I loved wading in the Pacific Ocean, however. I kind of wanted to try surfing, but they didn’t offer it inside the national park so I didn’t.

The public beach right outside the national park is free, offers surfing, and you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas. I didn’t get a chance to go there but it looked nice but maybe a little more crowded than the beaches at the national park.

Don’t miss the street vendors selling fresh pineapple and coconut water. Also don’t miss the shopping on the main strip, mostly for jewelery and wooden craft things. And all the restaurants have happy hour drink specials :D

For anyone that says you can only stay there a few days, they obviously vacation differently than me. We scuba dived, walked through the park, did a couple 1/2 day trips, chilled on the beach and just relaxed. It was perfect and way less commercial than Mexico, Fiji or Hawaii.