Manuel Antonio National Park | Manu Villas and Spa Costa Rica

Manu Villas is located about 30km or 18 miles south of the Manuel Antonio National Park. Since the new coastal highway is finally completed that means only a short 30 minutes drive to the National Park entrance.

Established in 1972 Parque Manuel Antonio is the country's smallest with only 680 hectares (1,680 acres) but also one of the most popular National Parks in Costa Rica with more than one million visitors a year.

Visiting the park, one is treated to an abundant diversity of wildlife. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio.

The views from the hills overlooking Manuel Antonio are spectacular, the beaches (especially those inside the national park) are idyllic, and its jungles are crawling with howler, white-faced, and squirrel monkeys, among other forms of exotic wildlife.

The Manuel Antonio National Park entrance fee is US$10 per person. Children under 12 free. Hours: 7am. to 4pm. Closed on Monday.