Stories from Paradise

Manuel Antonio enjoys one of the most coveted locations on the Central Pacific — a place that balances convenience with adventure for travelers looking to disconnect. A big part of why visitors fall in love here is the coastline itself: white sand and turquoise water, with a variety of beaches, each offering a different setting and a different experience.

There are around five beaches in and around Manuel Antonio, each with its own character — different sand, tides, and waves — so there’s something for everyone in the family. Whether it’s a morning walk along the shore, a picnic with loved ones, or sunset cocktails, there are countless ways to make the most of your stay.

For many visitors, sunset is the highlight. It’s one of the most striking scenes in the country, and people return year after year to watch it — feet in the sand, or from the comfort of their own villa.

Beaches in Manuel Antonio

Most of the beaches in Manuel Antonio are tucked inside the National Park, accessible only to park visitors, while others are open to the public year-round. The west-facing coastline means nearly every beach offers some version of the sunset — though the best views depend on the time of year and which beach you choose.

Within Manuel Antonio National Park

Outside the National Park

Other Nearby Beaches

Where to Watch the Sunset in Manuel Antonio

Beyond the beaches, there are plenty of spots to settle in for a drink and watch the sunset roll by. Ocean and sunset views are one of the area’s defining draws — the moment when everyone pauses their day and gathers to watch the sky fill continued…

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…

Nature lovers can rejoice with wildlife sightings and many outdoors activities, even in non-coastal locations.

There’s plenty of reasons why Costa Rica’s high-season for tourism tends to start after mid November all the way to April and early May. Most tend to focus on the fact that those in the Northern hemisphere look to flock out of frigid temperatures into the warm and cozy vibes of tropical paradise, but there’s more to it than that physiological response. Costa Rica’s upcoming dry season also offers unparalleled natural phenomena within the country’s blessed ecosystem.

From the transition time of late November until the full-blown dry season and summer times of January, the lush, rain-drenched landscapes of the previous months transform into a sunlit paradise. While some might yearn for the vibrant verdant of rainy days, this season unveils very unique manifestations that attracts nature lovers, photographers, and birdwatchers from around the globe.

The shift in climate creates striking changes, especially on the Pacific coast, where rivers and streams diminish, leaving behind temporary ponds and mud puddles. These shrinking water sources become bustling hubs of activity, drawing an incredible variety of waterfowl. The phenomenon, often called the “puddle frenzy,” is a captivating display of nature’s resilience and adaptability. Flocks of wood storks are among the first to arrive and as water levels continue to drop, other species such as jabirus, white ibises, and herons of all kinds take over.

This natural spectacle is a feast for the eyes and lenses of wildlife enthusiasts. Photographers can capture remarkable interactions between species, from the graceful movements of egrets to the strategic maneuvers of night-herons as they take their nocturnal shifts.

Despite its continued growth in terms of international investment and tourist development, one of Costa Rica’s main building blocks in terms of its global branding comes from its commitment to ecology and preservation. From renewable energy projects to conservation efforts, the country is constantly at the forefront when it comes to environmental consciousness.

One of the latest examples comes from a landmark moment in the country’s wildlife conservation project, as in May 2024 Costa Rica finally closed its two state-run zoos. The move involves relocating approximately 250 animals from the Simón Bolívar Zoo in San José and the Santa Ana Conservation Center to a rescue center in Alajuela.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), this initiative underscores Costa Rica’s goal of preserving wildlife in their natural habitats, moving away from confinement and exhibition to a more organic involvement with the animal’s endemic environments. The fauna, including jaguars, ocelots, caimans, crocodiles, spider monkeys, and sloths, underwent preliminary health checks before being transported. The relocation was a carefully coordinated effort, with animals placed in portable cages and escorted by police to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, known as Zoo Ave. This center will now serve as their new home, offering a more natural and suitable setting for their rehabilitation.

This decision aligns with both national regulations and international conservation agreements. The government made the resolution to close the state zoos two years ago, aiming to ensure a better quality of life for the animals. The closure of these zoos, some of which had been in operation for over a century, has been met with widespread celebration among animal rights activists.

The prestigious Travel and Leisure magazine has recognized the country’s unquestionable growth and international allure with this coveted acknowledgement.

Costa Rica, renowned for its commitment to sustainable tourism and breathtaking natural beauty, has been named Travel and Leisure’s 2024 Destination of the Year. This prestigious accolade, previously bestowed upon iconic destinations like Italy, Japan, and Australia, reflects the nation’s dedication to a sustainable future and its profound connection with nature.

Travel and Leisure, the most prestigious tourism magazine in the world, painted a vivid picture of Costa Rica’s allure, from its white-sand beaches against the backdrop of a lush rainforest to the astonishing elemental force of the volcano national parks. Natural beauty, incredible biodiversity, and laid-back lifestyle were all some of the main highlighted features of the country.

All this recognition doesn’t come in a vacuum, however, as Costa Rica’s dedication to ecotourism has been a pioneering force for the concept of eco-lodges and has set global benchmarks for sustainable travel practices. More than 50% of Costa Rica’s landmass is now covered in lush rainforests, a testament to its successful efforts in reversing deforestation trends, which started in the 1970s.

As of 2023, Costa Rica is on track to welcome between 2.3 and 2.5 million tourists by air, breaking previous records and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The country experienced a remarkable 16.4% increase in tourist arrivals during the first nine months of the year, with North America remaining as the primary source of tourists. This tourism boom is bolstering a national economy essentially based around this industry, with approximately 154,930 individuals working in tourism-related jobs as for the first half of 2023.

What this shows is that beyond Travel and Leisure’s continued…

A joint effort between Costa Rica’s Institute of Electricity and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration looks to expand the country’s renewable energy options.

Costa Rica’s international image has always been linked to its unparalleled natural allure. From its paradisiacal beaches to its lush rainforests and mystic volcanoes, this small Central American nation shines as one of the world’s main ecological bastions. In recent years, this green abundance has gone beyond its role as a scenic backdrop for unforgettable tourist experiences and become more central to the country’s strategic planning, particularly its commitment towards clean energy generation.

The country has been a pioneer in renewable resources since its hydroelectric plants became its main power source in the first half of the 20th Century, and given its incredible natural conditions, it’s no surprise to see other alternative energies becoming a big part of the nation’s future plans. Recently, the historic Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) has joined efforts with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) to analyze the potential eolic energy generation in the country’s North Pacific region.

Both institutions are conducting studies that will serve as a foundation for future electricity production from wind power. The idea is to collect data about oceanic, socioeconomic, and environmental information that could potentially help with the development of infrastructure that makes the most out of these conditions. It is projected that these studies will be concluded by November of this year.

As part of the research tasks, the meteorological conditions of the region have been carefully evaluated through a monitoring system using buoys and satellites.

Travel & Leisure, the prestigious US-based magazine highlights the country’s wonderful summer weather, and wide array of potential activities.

Costa Rica is a fabulous destination basically year-round, but it’s no surprise that the country’s high-season begins around the months of November and December, up until April. The reason is twofold, as this is where the country’s summer season begins, offering fresh breezes in December, and wonderful sunny days throughout the next months. The feared tropical rains only start popping up around May, so your outdoor activities should be safer if you decide to visit Costa Rica during this stretch.

Coincidentally, Costa Rica’s high tourist season is in great part due to the winter months in the Northern hemisphere. As the great cities of Europe and North America begin their descent towards freezing temperatures and layers and layers of clothing, people in the tropics are still rocking shorts and a tank top. Such a contrast makes a nice escapade towards warmer latitudes a common vacation plan for many

Taking all these into account, it makes perfect sense that Costa Rica appears as one Travel & Leisure magazine’s 11 best destinations in the world for January 2023. Travel & Leisure magazine is one of the globe’s leading travel publications, based in New York but read in most parts of the anglophone world as an important reference.

The magazine’s rationale behind Costa Rica’s placing comes in great part due to this small Central American nation’s renowned natural diversity. From adventurous mountain experiences, to paradisiacal beaches and ecological resorts, there’s basically something for all kinds of tourists.

The ticos’ qualification means an extra enticement for those who arrive in the country during november and december of 2022.

As the final whistle blew to finalize the game between Costa Rica’s football national team and New Zealand’s, the whole Central American nation felt a powerful roar of happiness and excitement. Once again, the ticos will be a part of soccer’s biggest tournament, qualifying to the edition of the World Cup that’ll be played in Qatar from November 21st to December 18th.

Naturally, this fills the hearts of most Costa Rican citizens with joy and pride, as their soccer team has steadily become a constant fixture in the tournament ever since the early 2000s. But qualifying to a World Cup also means a huge boost for a country’s economy and social life. Restaurants see important rises in attendance while the games are on, usually promoting thematic offerings linked with the tournament, while retailers see a huge increase in TV and audio equipment sales; everybody wants to experience the thrills of the World Cup in the best way possible!

As in most Latin American countries, soccer in Costa Rica is lived intensely, and in recent years the ticos’ celebrations have been well-documented internationally. Since the national team’s improbable success at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they advanced to the quarter finals until eventually losing in penalties to the Netherlands, congregations around San Pedro’s La Fuente de la Hispanidad have been a given whenever the Costa Rican squad reaches an important landmark.

If you’re thinking oftraveling to Costa Ricaduring winter in the northern hemisphere, you might also get the unforgivable experience of seeing a country fully synced to a sporting continued…

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday celebrated during a great time of the year. The foliage outside changes colors, your friends and family gather around and travel for the celebration. Holidays like Christmas and New Years are right around the corner and everyone is in a celebratory mood. Everything is a go, everything feels like a great occasion; its a celebration to get together, enjoy those we love and be thankful for all that we’ve got. Thanksgiving is so beloved that it’s certainly one of those holidays that other cultures have embraced and are now celebrating around the world. Costa Rica is no exception. Thanksgiving is truly wonderful, but is it really…? Here are 3 reasons why Thanksgiving is better in Costa Rica than it would be at home.

Less slaving away in the kitchen

No one likes cooking large family meals when they’re on vacation, so most likely this would be one of the first if not the first Thanksgiving that you are not slaving away cooking every single signature dish for this particular holiday. You can choose one of two great options: a) get an in-house chef service. Treat yourself to a personal chef cooking for you and your party. You can choose to get a traditional Thanksgiving dinnerorcompletely change the setting and the tradition by going a whole other direction like a tropical seafood dinner. Or b) you can go and enjoy the traditional turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie and much more at one of the many local restaurants that serve the indulgent Thanksgiving foods on this day.

You will skip the “annoying relative” questioning

It’s about time you have a boyfriend, isn’t it?

Situated in the Central Pacific Coast,Manuel Antoniois home to one of the world’s most beautiful national parks. This protected area garners more than 600,000 visitors every year who are looking for the ultimate tropical paradise: white sand, warm waters, and astounding natural landscapes.

TheManuel Antonio National Parkspans over 1,983 hectares of land and 55,000 hectares of sea surface. Exuberant rainforests embedded between towering mountains meet the sea in a setting that is the home of more than 109 species of mammals and 352 species of birds. Universal hiking trails, paradisiac beaches, and myriad wildlife sightings characterize any visit to this conservation area. Continue reading to know what to expect when visiting theManuel Antonio National Park.

Beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park

Lookout Points at Manuel Antonio National Park

Other Attractions at Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonioalso features other bodies of water including the mangrove swamp and a small waterfall. The swamp is a combination of sweet and salty water that spans over 18 hectares and showcases three different species of halophytes. Moreover, the waterfall is a phenomenon that happens only during the green season.

There is also a site called  “La Trampa” (The Trap) which can be found on the right side ofManuel AntonioBeach, next to Punta Catedral. Archeological remains form a circle that can be appreciated during low tide, which legend says was used by the indigenous people to capture fish.

Services at Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antoniooffers universal trails with signs, which are easy to follow and enable children of all ages and people with disabilities to enjoy the beauty of the site. There are essential services like potable water, showers and dressing rooms, and restrooms.

How many of your vacatiosn days did you use in the last year? If you live in the United States, chances are the answer to that question is somewhere around half of them. Which means you could be taking paid time off to hang out in Costa Rica right now.

And Costa Rica is a pretty sweet place to be, whether you go for its unrivaled ecotourism opportunities, from watching sea turtles nest to ziplining through the rain forest; its 1,000 miles of coastline on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, and the spectacular beaches and surf that go along with it; or its 50 national parks, representing the nation’s unprecedented commitment to preservation and protecting a full 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Not that anyone really needs convincing, but here are 30 images of Costa Rica that will inspire you to take your vacation time and put it to better use in the months to come. Here’s to restoring our work-life balance, one epic trip at a time.

RED-EYED TREE FROG

Costa Rica is small, just under 20,000 square miles—about the size of two Vermonts. And yet, this country that accounts for just .1% of Earth’s land area harbors 5% of its biodiversity. Costa Rica’s tropical mountain chains, rain forests, and various islands are home to species both highly endangered and more common, such as the red-eyed tree frog seen above.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN BEACH

Bordered by the Pacific to the west and the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica has no shortage of beaches. The best part is that, no matter what time of year you visit, if conditions on one coast are less than ideal, all you continued…