 Location
Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica is just south of Quepos on
the Pacific Coast, 132 kilometers from San José. The park is
situated in an area that has high precipitation and heights. The
three primary beaches of the park are Playas Espadilla Sur, Manuel
Antonio and Puerto Escondido. Costa Rica. The mouth of the Rio
Naranjo forms the southern border of the park.
Climate
Manuel Antonio National Park receives annual precipitation of 3.875
millimeters on average. The summer months are January, February and
March. Summers are hot and humid. The winter months are August,
September and October.
Key issue
Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica, is grappling with major
environmental problem of monocultures that destroys the ground and
sedimentation in the sea. Further, garbage and other food material
that visitors carry along with them to feed animals is also posing
a threat to scenic surroundings of the park. As a result, the park
is littered with plastic bags and non-biodegradable items.
However, to minimize the effect, the authorities have envisioned
The Environment Education Program, to contribute an environment
consciousness among the population of the neighboring communities,
besides tourists.
Flora and Fauna
Manuel Antonio National Park rests in the zone of the very humid
tropical forest. The tourists enjoy the thick canopy of primary
forest, secondary forest, manglar, besides the beach vegetation and
sea environments.
The flora species that is commonly found in the forest include
the guácimo Colorado, the pilón, the cedro maría,
the guapinol, the guapinol negro, the árbol maderable endanger
extinct, the lechoso, the madrono, the cenizaro and the ceiba. In
the secondary, you can find the balsa, the peine de mico, the
guarumo, the guácimo, the capulín blanco and the garocho.
The manglar covers approximate 18 hectares and consists of mainly
mangle Colorado, botoncillo and mariquita.
Beach vegetation of the park comprises the manzanillo, tree that
has milk sustain and poisonous fruits, the almendro, the roble
sabana and the coco.
 The park
is also a sanctuary to a wide variety of species. There are 109
species of mammals and 184 of birds. The most important ones
include the raccoon, porcupine, the guatusa, the sloth of two
fingres, the sloth of three fingers, the whiteface monkey, the
Congo monkey and the mono tití specie.
Tourists also enjoy and get delighted with migratory bird
species like the tucanillo, the pelicano o buchon, the guaco, the
gavilán pescador, the martín pescador verde, and the
water rooster. The park also houses a variety of reptile species
namely lizards and snakes, besides innumerable insects.
Facilities
Manuel Antonio Ranger Station, situated in the vicinity of Quepos
Costa Rica offers every facility for national and international
visitors. It has drinking water and restrooms. An extensive network
of trail system passes through the park. The Sendero Serrucho
offers a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean.
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