MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

Manuel Antonio is a small national park in the Central pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of our country, just south of the city of Quepos, Puntarenas, and 132 km from the national capital of San Jose.

In 1972, following the purchase of properties that made foreigners in the maritime area of Manuel Antonio, the entrance that gives access to the beaches there, it was blocked because these new owners put a gate lock to anyone who wants to pass. A group of youths in the area sought government help to regain access to beaches, as well as the government was expropriated to foreigners and declared a national park.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small island biodiversity within an area subject to different activities such as agriculture, livestock and high tourism development. It is one of the most beautiful national parks scenic in the country. It is the wilderness area that receives much national and international tourism. It has around 5 beaches and a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean in Serrucho trail.

PUNTA CATEDRAL was once an island off the coast. Over the years, sedimentation filled in a bar of sand, connecting it to the mainland. The locals call this stretch of white sand beach Tombolo. It protects lot a flora and fauna. The typical beach vegetation, excel the manglar, primary and secondary forest.

The fauna is varied, they have distinguished 109 species of mammals and 184 birds. Among the most outstanding, we find the raccoon, little toucan, white-faced monkey, the marmoset monkey, and the sloth bear.

The park has three management programs:

Environmental Education Program contributes to the development of environmental awareness.

Protection Program, maintain the minimum level of physical and biological changes of human origin in the park.

Management Program, which involved local communities and public and private agencies in planning and developing the area.

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