Stories from Paradise

Why Visit Manuel Antonio During High Season?

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most popular locations, and dry season, December through April, is when it shines brightest. This tropical paradise, where the jungle meets the sandy beaches of the Pacific Ocean, can be ideal for families, couples, group traveling, and solo experiences. This small town allows beaches, restaurants, and activities to be only a few minutes away, allowing a seamless, very complete high-end experience in Costa Rica.

The beauty of the National Park is accessible to people from all backgrounds and fitness levels, thanks to the different paths and ranger stations located throughout. Outdoor activities can be personalized and accessible, with tour operators specialized in all-level excursions, accessibility accommodations, and flexible scheduling.

Did you know?Manuel Antonio receives over 150,000 visitors during high season, and for good reason. This is when nature shows its best side, and conditions are perfect for outdoor activities.

Perfect Weather: Sun, Breeze, and Pura Vida

The high season climate is simply spectacular. Days are sunny and warm, perfect for spending hours at the beach without worrying about sudden rain. Average daytime temperatures hover around 85°F, with constant ocean breezes keeping things comfortable. Humidity is moderate compared to the green season, making the heat much more bearable.

Every day is an opportunity to visit pristine beaches, observe unusual animals, or simply unwind in your ocean-view vacation rental. With beautiful weather, you can plan days packed with activities, since a day with a clear, bright sky is a valuable opportunity you should take advantage of in Costa Rica.

Located on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio blends natural beauty with sophisticated travel. Famous for its vibrant national park and diverse wildlife, the area also features an array of beaches for all tastes. Manuel Antonio transforms typical beach vacations into rich adventures, offering sunny shores within a secluded rainforest paradise.

Each one of these seven distinctive beaches holds its special charm, promising unforgettable moments for every visitor.

A Natural Playground of Biodiversity and Comfort

Being one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park attracts an abundance of tourists due to its accessibility and stunning natural beauty. With more than 100 animal species and almost 200 bird species, this ecological gem is home to an incredible selection of wildlife.

Along with the comfort of close-by accommodation, visitors can take energizing hikes through the rainforest trails, swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters along perfect beaches, and easily spot all kinds of plants and animals in their natural habitat. The park’s distinctive blend of abundant wildlife and convenience makes it a favorite spot for even the most adventurous of travelers.The region is popular due to its well-developed infrastructure, diverse dining options, high-end rental choices, and visitor-friendly services. Manuel Antonio is an easily accessible getaway in one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful coastal regions, thanks to its ideal location, just a three-hour drive from San José.

High-End Accommodation in Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio is still a top attraction, drawing in more than 150,000 tourists a year, many of them from the United States. The area features a variety of upscale accommodations, including luxury resorts, private villas, and boutique hotels, all seamlessly integrated with the surrounding tropical continued…

Luxury and Adventure

Imagine arriving in Manuel Antonio and stepping into your luxurious rental—a private sanctuary that offers not only exquisite comfort but also an unparalleled gateway to the best experiences this Costa Rican paradise has to offer. Tailored for discerning travelers, your stay combines refined elegance with access to adventure, relaxation, and authentic local culture.

Manuel Antonio: The Most Sought-After Destination

Manuel Antonio is a bustling Costa Rican destination that provides an alluring combination of amazing scenery, a wealth of wildlife, and exhilarating experiences. You’re in for a treat if you’re considering a trip here.

Your Curated Luxury  Manuel Antonio’s Itinerary

Morning: Awakening in Luxury

Wake up in a villa that has been elegantly designed and offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean or lush greenery. As the warm morning light warms you up for a day of exploring, savor your morning meal on your own patio. With your luxury rental as your starting point, you’re in a great position to enjoy unique exclusive one in lifetime experiences.

Mornings: Exclusive Tours of Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park

Take a private tour of Manuel Antonio National Park to begin your journey. Even while the park’s well-known white sand beaches, including Espadilla Sur, draw large numbers of tourists, Manuel Antonio offers a variety of beaches in which exclusivity stands.

Discovering Abundant Wildlife

A professional guide in your own vehicle will show you the park’s many flora and fauna, from leisurely sloths and playful monkeys to a spectrum of tropical birds, along the secret trails, remote bays, and exclusive viewpoints.

With 200 bird species and 108 mammal species, this tropical jungle offers tourists the opportunity to see monkeys, toucans, continued…

Beyond its beautiful backdrop, Costa Rica’s coastline has established itself as a thriving hub for tourism and investment ever since the first adventurous backpackers reached the shores in the late 1970s. With different degrees of surfing and vacation amenities, eventually marinas became a strategic development. The marinas that stretch along the Pacific coast have become important pillars for each of this community’s economic and tourism sector, ranging from luxurious yacht docks to vibrant commercial areas, condominiums, and high-end residences. Costa Rica’s marinas are transforming the coastal landscape by welcoming the most demanding of anglers, and also creating hubs for local visitation.

One of the standout examples is Marina Papagayo. This marina opened in 2009 and quickly became a cornerstone of the Peninsula Papagayo resort community. Its prime location in a naturally protected harbor at Bahia Culebra makes it an ideal spot for both luxury yachts and sport-fishing vessels. With its proximity to the Guanacaste International Airport, it offers unparalleled convenience for visitors, enhancing its appeal as a premier destination. The marina’s robust infrastructure, including 180 slips and plans for expansion, underscores its role as a key player in the region.

Moving down the coast, Marina Flamingo is another beacon of development, officially reopening in 2023 after years of dormancy. Originally the first marina in Costa Rica, its revival has breathed new life into the booming Flamingo area. The marina now features 90 slips, with plans for significant expansion, and offers a comprehensive range of amenities, including villas, restaurants, and even a medical clinic.

Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Herradura Bay stands out as one of the most lavish, world-class destinations for anglers and tourists alike.

Beyond the many natural wonders that bless Costa Rica, the country is also an important historical site for many indigenous groups and their rich cultures. Many of the artifacts from these pre-Columbian communities have been discovered over time in archaeological research but given the colonial nature of 20th Century expeditions, plenty of these treasures were exported to museums and collections in the United States and Europe.

Just recently, Costa Rica has welcomed back a trove of 395 archaeological artifacts, safeguarded in diplomatic premises across Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington DC. These items journeyed back home, marking a significant moment in the country’s cultural restoration efforts in recent years.

Among the returned artifacts are pre-Columbian relics crafted from stone and ceramic. One of the most notable is a remarkable stone sphere measuring approximately 65 centimeters in diameter, alongside metates, jade stones, polychromatic vessels, human and animal figurines, and stone tools. Some of these pieces had been held in diplomatic offices for up to a decade. While most were willingly surrendered, others were confiscated by US authorities and subsequently handed over to Costa Rica through diplomatic channels.

The repatriation endeavor was made possible through collaborative efforts between the Parque Metropolitano La Libertad Foundation and the National Museum of Costa Rica, as well as economic backing from the Cultural Agreements Fund of the United States Embassy. All came together under the banner of the project titled “Management and Dissemination of Pre-Columbian Assets Safeguarded in Costa Rican Diplomatic Premises in the United States.”

Costa Rica’s commitment to reclaiming its cultural heritage extends beyond this recent example. Since 1986, the country has repatriated a total of 3,560 archaeological artifacts from various countries across the Americas continued…

Costa Rica’s Independence Month tends to be a great spotlight for the myriad of national customs and traditions that make this small Central American nation such an alluring setting. Most of the time, Costa Rican identity is constructed around the iconography imported from the Nicoya Peninsula and the agricultural history of the country, which merits their acknowledgment but aren’t the only kind of expressions the ticos know about.

ThePacific coastlinestretches way beyond the Northern province of Guanacaste, boasting in Puntarenas a captivating tapestry of experiences and traditions that’s underrepresented in the national consciousness. For example, architectural enthusiasts will have a hard time finding better examples of Victorian coastal buildings than Puntarenas, with its iconic pier and many prominent houses from the earlier half of the 20th Century. This comes in conjunction with the older colonial buildings from the 19th Century, which are mainly seen in churches and cathedrals in the Spanish fort-like construction.

In terms of music, Puntarenas boasts a blend of folk colonial music intertwined with the Colombian cumbia and the “tambito generaleño” from San Jose’s Southern communities. It’s very tropical in texture and blends perfectly with the festive aura that permeates the summer carnivals and colorful parades.

Perhaps one of the ticos’ favorite reasons to visit Puntarenas is experiencing its culinary delights, which mainly revolve around seafood. Combining pre-Hispanic indigenous diets, Spanish colonial cuisine, and immigrant contributions. Ceviche is the area’s signature dish, featuring diced fish, chucheca, or shrimp marinated in lime juice, mixed with onions, sweet pepper, cilantro, and salt. It’s served cold with crackers, boiled green plantains, or “patacones.” Variations may include vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, Tabasco, or mayonnaise.

Building from a storied tradition and the current victory lap of Costa Rican cinema internationally, the recently signed legislation is a way to dynamize local economies

The misty mountains and dead forests around Turrialba, the moon-like, barren lands at the top of Irazú’s viewpoint, the dense and uncharted jungles and diverse national parks of the Central and Southern Pacific, and the paradisiacal beaches of the Gold Coast are just some of the many cinematic sights that can be found in Costa Rica. After all, the country’s reputation as a natural oasis comes precisely from its wide array of settings within a relatively small area. Many different experiences can be had in Costa Rica, be it as a thrill-seeking adventurer, or simply as an exotic background for your rest and relaxation.

This fact has been taken into account by Hollywood on different occasions, using the ticos’ blessed corner of the Earth to represent untamed wilderness in Ridley Scott’s 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993), Robert Rodriguez’s Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams (2002), and M. Night Shyamalan’s After Earth (2013), just to name some of the higher profile features filmed in the country.

Additionally,Costa Rica has been of particular note on the international festival landscaperecently, with productions from tico talent like Valentina Maurel’s Tengo Sueños Eléctricos (2022),  Nathalie Alvárez’s Clara Sola (2021), and Antonella Sudassassi’s El Despertar de las Hormigas (2019) playing and awarded in some of the world’s premiere audiovisual showcases like Cannes, Berlinale, and Locarno, among others.

Recently, a 2021 law was approved to make the most out of this historic period of visibility, and bring more international investment to the country.

A growing initiative looks to expand the accessibility of the country’s many tourist attractions.

Costa Rica’s main draw as a destination comes from the cohesive experience it offers visitors worldwide. True, this Central American oasis boasts a wide variety of ecosystems and kinds of experiences, but they’re all framed within the same nationwide commitment towards innovation and sustainability.

It’s no secret that the country profits from its reputation as one of the best places to be in the whole world, a fact that comes not only from its lush tropical marvels, but also its forward-thinking planning and robust social security network. Every year, this small nation shares the top spots of green development, eco-sustainability and overall happiness, solidifying its place as a dream destination for those seeking a change of pace in modern life.

One of the latest developments in Costa Rica’s never-ending search for optimization in the tourism industry is an initiative to make the country’s natural allure more accessible. Costa Rica’s Accessible Tourism Network has the objective of providing alternatives so anyone can enjoy the stunning beaches, waterfalls and forest trails, no matter their condition.

Through a multi-axis project that intertwines education, information and revision, this network has rapidly positioned Costa Rica as an international leader in the area. Just recently the country was awarded a recognition in the Sustainable Social Tourism Summit.

The project works as a main directory where accessibility is the main focus, highlighting tours, destinations and providers that offer a more inclusive experience. The network also works towards an strategic alliance with the UNED to specialize young professionals in accessible tourism.

During the 2010s Costa Rica became Central America’s hotspot for international shows. Its well-recorded sociopolitical stability,cultural affinity to US culture, and status as one of the globe’s main sustainability ambassadors, made the country the best suited destination to represent the region in the biggest pop stars’ world tours. It all started with hard rock luminaries Iron Maiden and Metallica, but soon Gen-X favorites like Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters and Green Day followed suit, and by the mid-decade classic rock legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney and Roger Waters,  and young effervescent stars like Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran, where all part of Costa Rica’s healthy roster of year-long mega-spectacles.

Naturally, all that stopped in 2020 with the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic and its heavy toll on the concert industry. Slowly but steadily, local venues began to open again, and by March the concert agenda finally started to get crowded once again. Just in these first couple weeks of 2022 big name artists like Bad Bunny, Coldplay, Ex-One Direction Louis Tomlinson and Karol G have all confirmed dates, and the expectation is for many more to be announced in the coming months.

One of the main advantages Costa Rica has in the booking department is how easy the pitch is to lure international stars. Coldplay, the band that’ll kickstart the country’s comeback as Central America’s concert hotspot, decided to open their tour here, and that gave them extra time to relax and explore many of the nation’s breathtaking natural attractions.

The pandemic has changed life for us all in many ways, from the way we travel to the way we shop and socialize. Since the pandemic started, Costa Rica has been working hard to prevent the spread of the disease from large vaccination campaigns (with so far 67.21% already vaccinated[1]) to migration of certain services into online systems. Restrictions for driving and business operation times have also been imposed, currently restricting cars to drive one day during the weekdays and one of the weekend days, and for driving and places only being able to do so between 5am and 9pm. Driving restrictions do not apply for rental cars. So what do you do on a Friday now?

Don’t worry! There are still many things to do in the area that will allow you to enjoy the local scene, gorgeous views and overall beauty that makes Manuel Antonio the magnificent place that it is. Here are a few of our favorites places to hit this coming Friday:

Farmers Market

One of the nicest things to do on a Friday afternoon is to visit the local farmers market. It’s held in downtown Quepos and you can go as early as 3pm. Here you can spot many tropical fruits and vegetables that are endemic to Latin America, and the best, they taste incredible! Forget the bland flavors of the fruit you might have encountered back at home, here you can find the fruit freshly picked and naturally ripened, it will be like nothing you have ever tasted before.

The produce is available depending on the season, and so even when having visited the market before, you might encounter on your next visit a continued…

It’s a November to remember! On November 1st, Costa Rica reopened to the world. Come enjoy our beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and spectacular wildlife. Experience Costa Rica with your family or social bubble, in one of our luxurious, fully equipped private villas. Take advantage now of our discounted prices and come see why a vacation to Costa Rica is on the bucket list of travelers worldwide.

In addition to ourvillas in Manuel Antonio, we can arrange private transportation from and to the airport, private chef services and private tours, to ensure an amazing and secure experience. Now is the perfect time to leave the dark days of 2020 behind for our sunshine and blue skies. Costa Rica awaits you. We invite you to see for yourselves whatPura Vidais all about.

Don’t forget to check thetravel requirementsand ourFAQsection. And if you still need help from us pleasecontact us, we are here to help you!