After hearing some of the reviews about how crowded the MA park can get, I am wondering if there are other areas near MA to spot wildlife and do some hiking. I have also heard to avoid less crowded beaches drive south towards Dominical is this true.

We liked Dominical well enough that we never went on to Manuel Antonio as we had originally planned. The few beaches that we saw/walked on there were pretty devoid of people in May. However, though pretty enough, I don't think they were necessarily great swimming beaches. The one I remember was shallow for some distance. . . But there are at least two reserves here to hike and see wildlife - Hacienda Baru, which has lodging and other activities, and another farther south the name of which I always blank on. The road south from Dominical is wide and paved and without much traffic (though in rainy season, its bridges often go out). If its primarily hiking and wildlife you're interested in - you'll like this area. Don't think of it as a day trip from MA though as the road between MA and Dom is terrible - dirt and very bumpy. Would take you quite some time to do the relatively short drive. If you're interested in staying in Dominical check out Pacific Edge and also Hacienda Baru.

A nice area to hike (not on the beach though..) is http://pliniopark.com/ The views from the Plinio Tower are fabulous and definitely take your camera! Lisa in Manuel Antonio

I seem to be one of the few who didn't care for MA and regret spending 3 days there. The park was nice, but only because of the beautifull beaches. The rest of the town and area was to touristy for me, including the area that you have to pay to park, if you have a rental car, to get into the park. If you like nice hotels, decent food and the standard vacation atmosphere, MA works well, but if you want real CR, go somewhere else.

Matapalo is half way from MA to Dominical and will have much less tourists. I've heard good reports of Matapalo but haven't been there. The drive from MA to Domincal took us 1hr and 45Min of bumpity bump. Traveled dry season in a Carolla. Now I believe a bridge is out and 4WD is advised to cross a shallow river. About 30 min south of Dominical on the fine new road is Nat Pk Manuel Ballena near Uvita. Very few tourists on this beautiful palm lined beach with the mountains rising from the coast. Finca La Merced is just north of there and has some nice trails. We did a horse tour and saw beautiful forest but not many animals. One monkey and a toucan. Hacienda Baru with nice trails and beachjust north of Dominical may be good for animals. Deffinately birds.

Hi Lisa !!! I have to do that hike from Plinios !

We needed a 4wd to cross a shallow river between MA and Dominical in late November. At that time the road had been recently graded - it was actually fairly smooth and a pleasant drive. We saw only two other people on the 3 km Baru beach during our stay - both fishermen. During a tour there we saw everything we had seen at MA and more - monkeys, sloths, snakes, etc. MA was like going to the zoo, with little groups of middle-aged tourists clustered around guides with telescopes every few meters or so. The guides communicate by radio so when one spots something the others are informed and a crowd gathers. It was actually quite comical.