Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio is seven kms south of Quepos. (For detailed directions to the National Park from the Farm click here.) Within the National Park's 682 hectares are both the primary and secondary forests, the mangroves and the islands. There are 109 species of mammals, 184 species of sponges, crustaceans, algea, and all kinds of fish. The twelve islands in this park make home for many kinds of birds.

The park has 4 beaches and various hiking trails.

Be prepared to wade across the shallow Rio Camaronera in order to enter the park. In the morning during high tide little row boats can take you across (100 colones pp.)

Quepos

There is little of interest to see in town, but it has some of the best bars in the country. If you are planning to do any organized activities in the area, you will find a lot places for that in Quepos. Here are a few of them:

• Outward Bound, 777-1222 (1-800-676-2018)
• Canyoning Tours, 777-1924
• Outdoor Expeditions, 777-0100
• Lynch Tourist Service, 777-1170
• Estrella Tours, 777-1286
• Iguana Tours, 777-0850 email
• Alacran Surf Tours, 777-1721
• Costa Rican Dreams, 777-0593
• Blue Fin Sportfishing, 777-1676

Parrita - Rainmaker Adventure Retreat

This attraction is 26 kms from Villa Vanilla Farm, located north of Quepos. This is a 540-hectare private reserve that gives home to a 250meter aerial walkway though the rainforest canopy. A half day tour costs $65.

• Rainmaker, 777-0777 ext.201

Carara National Park

This is a highly recommended destination either on your way to us or leaving us. The National Park is located between Tarcoles and the bridge over Rio Grande de Tarcoles. This park is famous for having three types of forests: a tropical humid forest, a pre-montane tropical forest, and a montane rain forest. You have a very good chance to see some of the following animals in this park: scarlet macaw, american crocodile, great anteater, ocelot, spider monkey, great curassow, fiery-billed aracari, and black and green poison arrow frog. After you bought your ticket at the admission office we recommend you hike on the Sendero Laguna Meandrica trail. To get there drive north to the bridge and park near the police "station". Then walk back about 500 ms to the entrance of this trail. (The parking for the trail itself is not very safe.) Make sure that you wear hiking boots (the trail might be muddy), and have plenty of insect repellent on.

Entrance fee: $6
Open: 8am - 5pm
Guide: $20 pp.