Seagulls fly low scanning the ocean for food in a mid-Pacific beach
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PARRITA
Long beaches and African palm trees dominate the landscape in laid-back Parrita. The small town is the favorite hang out of tourists looking to unwind in a stress-free environment and enjoy the gifts of nature without traveling far.
The beach stretches for more than 7 miles (12 km) and is surrounded by estuaries and mangroves teeming with wildlife. Fishing is a major crowd-puller thanks to hundreds of tuna, marlin, wahoo, snook and dolphin fish that swarm about in the surrounding ocean.
Nearby Parrita river is a preferred whitewater rafting site, featuring class II and III rapids. Perfect for beginners, gentle currents run through the river leading you down an extravagant display of giant cranes, ibis, egrets, storks, alligators, caimans and iguanas.
Relax in the sun after a hearty hike at Manuel Antonio National Park.
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PARQUE NACIONAL MANUEL ANTONIO
You don’t have to choose between the forest and the beach because at Manuel Antonio National Park you can have your cake and eat it too! Located three hours from San José, the popular reserve protects 1,685 acres (682 ha) of tropical rainforest lined by blue ocean waters and packed with the most unbelievable animals, birds and plants.
Well-maintained trails lead you to a lookout point offering breathtaking panoramic views of the park and the surrounding ocean. Walk through the forest and you’ll come across cheeky white-faced capuchin, spider and howler monkeys, sloths resting in the trees, iguanas, coati scampers, toucans, parrots, and scarlet macaws just to name a few.
The sun sets over the Pacific and the view can best be enjoyed from the area's peaceful beaches.
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Back on the coast, you have a selection of four white-sand beaches. Most visitors agree that Manuel Antonio Beach is the prettiest of them all, featuring a receded bay, coral reef and soothing tidal pools. Pacific green and olive ridley turtles seem to agree because they pick this location to lay their eggs just like they have for centuries. Traps set during pre-Columbian times can still be seen on the rocks surrounding the beach, but the site is now under careful surveillance to protect the endangered species.
The Pacific meets the park on three sides because it’s located on a small peninsula called Punta Catedral. The former island is now connected to the land by a natural sand bridge. Entrance to the park is limited to 600 people per day in order to minimize human impact on the ecosystem so rise up early like the birds and head to Manuel Antonio.
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