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Manuel Antonio National Park is a small biological island within an area used for different activities such as agriculture, livestock, and tourism development. Part of the forest is a regeneration process due to the fact that in the past the extraction of wood took place in that area.



It is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. It is the wild area that receives the largest number of tourists, both national and international. Another important attraction is the humid tropical forest where endangered species of flora and wildlife live, such as the Titi monkey.



A geographical feature is Punta Catedral. In the past it was an island, but due to the accumulation of sediment, it joined the continental mass, forming a band of sand called Tombolo.



The wild life is varied, 109 species of mammals and 184 of birds can be distinguished. Among the most important are the raccoon, porcupine, guatuza, the 2 and three-toed sloth, the white-faced monkey, the congo, the titi monkey, a species in danger of extinction, due to the destruction of their habitat and for being used as pets.



In the area you can frequently observe birds such as the toucan, the pelican or buchon, the guaco, the fisher hawk, the green kingfisher and the water rooster. It is possible to observe lizards, snakes and countless insects.



The main environmental problem of the park is the deficient organization of the tourist development that causes the massive influx of visitors in the area, causing pollution of the sea. On the other hand, large-scale mono-agriculture causes damage to the land and sedimentation of the oceans. The garbage and the food that the visitors give to the animals, are the problems that occur in the area.



There are three programs for park management. The Environmental Education Program, whose objective is to contribute to the development of an environmental awareness among the population of neighboring communities.



The Protection Program, which aims to maintain a minimum level of physical and biological alterations of human origin, provide protection for visitors and staff and ensure compliance with conservation laws.



And finally, the Administration Program, where local communities, public and private organizations participate for the development of the area.











This wildlife area is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, in the Province of Puntarenas. Located 157 km south of San José by road and 7 km south of the City of Quepos. Created by Law Decree No. 5100 on November 15, 1972. It has an area of ​​682.7 hectares of land and 55,000 hectares of sea area.





Manuel Antonio National Park is located in the zone of very humid tropical forest. Protects areas of primary forest, secondary forest, mangroves, and beach vegetation, as well as marine environments.



The most common species of flora are the guacimo colorado, the pilón, the marine cedar, the guapinol, the black guapinol, endangered timber trees such as the milky, the madrono, the ash tree and the ceiba. In the secondary forest you can find raft, mico comb, guarumo, guacimo, capulin blanco and garocho. The mangroves cover approximately 18 hectares, and it is constituted by 3 species, red mangrove, button and ladybird.



In the beach vegetation you can find the manzanillo, a tree with a milky substance and poisonous fruits, the almond tree, the savanna oak and the coconut.

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