Travel Attractions in Manuel Antonio Corcovado and Tamarindo
In this article you will find information on travel attractions in the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, but also one of the most beautiful and popular ones in the country. The park is 6 kilometres from the town of Quepos. The 6-kilometre stretch of road is lined with hotels and other lodging places. At the entrance to the park is a huge, amazing beach – an enormous strip of white sand and turquoise waters where you can learn to surf.
The park itself has four small and quiet beaches, and around them, everything is green - a forest full of many kinds of animals walking around nearly fearless of tourists. You will see many monkeys, iguanas, birds, crabs, sloths, snakes, and crocodiles. After touring among the animals I recommend staying at one of the beautiful beaches of the park.
In the area between Quepos and Manuel Antonio there are many restaurants, a small tourist market, and some interesting nightlife. From Quepos you can take a catamaran to the bays of the area, where you can sometimes see dolphins and whales. You can also go snorkelling in one of the bays and see many fish.
Another experience you would not want to miss is sailing through a mangrove forest with “Rafa the Monkey Whisperer” as monkeys jump onto your boat and eat straight out of the palm of your hand. Rapa knows each and every one of these friendly monkeys and has even named them all.
Some of the available activities in Manuel Antonio include: Rafting in the rivers, a tour of the park, ATV tiours, Jet Ski, kayaking at sea, horseback riding, cycling along the beaches and nature hikes through the forest.
Villa Vanilla:
Yet another great place to go is Villa Vanilla. Go on a tour to the botanical gardens and spice gardens of a spice farm. You will get to see and smell vanilla, tropical spices, cocoa, herbs, and more. The tour includes gourmet taste-testing of ice cream, cookies and chocolate milk, all made using local plants and spices.
Spices drying
Recommended hotels in Manuel Antonio
4 Star Hotel. Surrounded by rainforest, and with ocean
views. Spa, 2 Swimming pools, 4 restaurants and 2 bars.
There is also a beauty salon, a hot tub and plunge pool.
Each room have air-condition, a balcony, cable TV, a
minibar and coffee maker. Some rooms have free Wi-Fi.
Free parking. Free shuttle service to the beaches.
4 Star Hotel. Swimming pool. Located one kilometer from Manuel Antonio Beach with panoramic views of the ocean and park. The rooms has air conditioning, a desk, fridge, telephone and flat-screen cable TV. Free parking and free Wi-Fi.
5 Star luxury Hotel surrounded by rainforest and wildlife and is 5-minute drive from the coast. Provides transportation to beach area and the national park. Adults-only and family-only areas, each with their own pools. Spa area with a steam bath, sauna and beauty salon. Free parking and free Wi-Fi.
crocodile safari
On the way from Lands in Love to Manuel Antonio I recommend going on a “crocodile safari” –
Jungle Crocodile Safari, Tarcoles - La Barca
a boat ride among crocodiles, birds and mangroves.
Corcovado National Park
Corcovado Nature Reserve is a national park in southwest Costa Rica Pacific coast of the Osa Peninsula . Here comes who wants to see animals in the wild forests that Costa Rica can suggest ,and in the most distant from the crowd .
The reserve area is 424 square kilometers and occupies one third of the peninsula where it is located , Osa . It was declared a national park in 1975 and is considered the largest national park in the country . The park , which consists mainly of a primary tropical forest is close to the shores of the Pacific Ocean and includes rivers and lagoons.
Hotels in Corcovado
The best hotel in the reserve itself is :
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge
The reserve is also a
great camping
Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp
with permanent tents where they could live .
For
those seeking more favorable living conditions better to
stay nearby town of Drake Bay Drake Bay . In any case to
reach the reserve has a small motor boat to sail , even
hotels that are defined within the reserve and any
difference is more a matter of minutes of sailing .
The tiny town several restaurants , grocery stores and
stalls tourism, a variety of dining and entertainment
options it bigger .
Best hotel Drake Bay is without a doubt :
Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
which is located a hundred meters from the beach, in the
woods . The place has cabins , luxurious and
well-appointed with an enchanting view , air conditioned
( very important and rare ... ) , with bathroom and
shower and free high-speed internet .
Aguila de Osa Inn
- another quality hotel near the estuary to the sea ,
has luxurious , spacious rooms with balconies
overlooking the sea and a fine restaurant.
Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a resort town on the shores of the Gulf of Nicoya peninsula in the Pacific Ocean in northwest Costa Rica , approximately 3.5 hours drive northwest of San Jose and three hours west of Arenal.
Tamarindo is famous for its popular surf beaches , suitable for both beginners and more experienced surfers and its ecological tourism . It is very attractive to American tourists. The younger are attracted to the surfing beaches and for the older it is reminiscent of Hawaii fifty years ago before the tourism was developed there.
Recommended hotels in Tamarindo
The best hotel with excelent central location to my opinion is:
4 Star Hotel. Large outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 5 Restaurants, 4 bars, a spa and a casino. Free parking.
Other good hotels:
4 Star Hotel. An apartment complex. The apartments has air conditioning and a balcony. Complete with a dishwasher, the dining and kitchen area also has a microwave and oven. Featuring a shower, the private bathrooms also come with a bath. Outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi.
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
5 Star
luxury hotel. Located 15 min drive from Tamarindo.
Situated on a beach next to Hacienda Pinilla Golf
huge outdoor pool, luxury spa and gym, 5 restaurants and
two bars. Spacious, air-conditioned rooms. Free Wi-Fi.
3 Star Hotel. Outdoor pool, restaurants, air-conditioned accommodation, 500 metres from Tamarindo Beach. Free Wi-Fi.