Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

I think this park is worth visiting, but first…

PARKING MAFIA – Please, please, don't fall for this local mafia.

This is what they do: as you are getting close to the park down the hill, one of them will ask you if you're going to the park or the beach and if you have tickets or tour reservations. It doesn't really matter what your answer is, he will ask you to follow the directions of the guys further down. These guys, who can be only two or six, will stop in the middle of the road and with a whistle direct you to the parking on the right. They don't even tell you how much they are going to charge when you ask, they say keep going to the parking for more information. Once you make that right turn you are at their mercy and will charge you whatever they want for all the “services” they provide. I’ve heard that they charge a minimum of $20-30 plus for “all day parking”.

This is what you are going to do: you have options - (1) if you want to play their game, answer their questions and pretend you're stupid to see how this mafia works, or (2) don't stop and keep going even when they block you, just don't stop. If you run over one or two that's ok, just keep going. But if you run over three or more, then that might be a problem with the locals.

I've heard that they sometimes have a police there too to make sure all tourists follow the rules. Ha!

PARKING – I am not sure about this because some say that the beach parking is free and most say it is not. Either way do not park where anyone tells you to park. Keep going all the way down the street and park in the last parking lot to the left before the roundabout. You will see that it is mostly empty because the mafia have been very successful that day. They will charge you $5 more or less but don't pay more than $6. If it's true that the parking is free, I don't mind paying $5 all day when I pay $25 for 3 hours in DC. I believe that the free parking they refer to is the street parking by the road in front of the beach not the private parking lots.

PARK ENTRANCE – Since I park in the last parking lot, I go through the one that is right by the parking entrance. You will see a lot of vendors not matter which way you go.

PARK TICKETS – Make sure you buy them on their website. It's a bit frustrating, especially on the phone. Please note that it does NOT matter what time you choose, you can enter the park any time. These are their covid hours as local people will tell you. So, don't be disappointed when you can't buy the “time slot” you want.

PARK – If you're a nature lover, you will like it. I can't tell you if it's a must or not, this depends on you. Bring a reusable water bottle as they do not allow plastic bottles.

PRIVATE TOURS – I'm not trying to deprive locals from making a living, but… if you are on a budget like I am, do this on your own. Research and read about the park ahead of time. There's no guarantee that you will see a lot of exotic beauties that day. As you walk through the park, you will see the private tours stopping with a binocular on a tripod and EVERYBODY stops trying to see what they are seeing. Either if you pay for it or not, you will stop too. The other private guides will make the same stop.

BEACH – Yes, if you want a beautiful calm and quiet beach inside the park, stay here. I prefer the public one across the park, it's as beautiful. The waves are fun, is good for people watching, surfers and parasailing, cute dogs, etc. And, yes, a few vendors will try to sell you things, drinks or food but you can decline or check them out. They were polite and not annoying to me. Only you can decide what's best for you.