Can anyone tell me is the first bech the nicer of the 2 beaches? Is this the one that you sometimes read about the monkeys come to play?
Also is there a waterfall at the end of one of the trails in the park? Thanks!

Take a guided tour of the park. There's no way we would have seen all the wildlife if we hadn't had a guide. We saw monkeys at both beaches we walked to inside the park. One beach had a large group of monkeys that were harrassing the beach goers - stealing bags and running up a tree, then throwing the non-food items back down at the people. Pretty comical...but then again, it wasn't our stuff they were stealing! Didn't see a waterfall but we didn't go down all the trails either so doesn't mean there isn't one. We enjoyed the beach outside the park - rented chairs and umbrellas, had an iced bucket of beer delivered, pura vida.

Playa Manuel Antonio inside the park is the nicest beach - the kind of classic pretty beach you think of with nice sand and pretty water. We saw a lot of capuchin monkeys inside the park; most of them seem pretty tame and unafraid of humans. We hired a guide to take us through the park. We could have done it on our own, but we would have missed seeing some wildlife - never saw a waterfall.

As volcanogirl says, Playa Manuel Antonio is the nice, calm beach within the park. It is often called the 3rd beach - but I think that includes the public as Playa MA is the second beach you come to within the park. It is the calmest beach. There are no restaurants or places to buy food, rent chairs etc within the park.
On our web page we have pictures of both Manuel Antonio Park beaches and the MA Public beach.
http://mycondocostarica.com/Manuel%2...nal%20Park.htm

Pura Vida,
raquel

http://mycondocostarica.com/Manuel%2...ic%20Beach.htm

Yes monkeys come to the beach - they are the capuchin monkeys, like the one Ross had in the early episodes of Friends. And as Pegoode says, the have become very bold and will actually open the zippers of bags, rummage for food and just throw away the rest. In other parts of the MA area you can often see the mono titis or squirrel monkeys.

I have never come to any waterfalls either in the park.

Hi, we're arriving in MA on a Friday afternoon, and staying Saturday, Sunday and departing Monday...when should we go to MA park to avoid the crowds?

I know weekends are worse but we can't help the timing.

Thanks!

WE always get to the park early in the day....by the time it's 1:30 when crowds pick up we're ready to head back.

As mentioned, the 2nd beach you reach once "inside" the National Park is called "Playa Manuel Antonio"(aka Playa Blanca, aka Beach #3) It's the calmest for swimming, very pretty, racoons, coatis, deer & cheeky capuchins will try to raid your backpack for food(resist feeding them!)

As far as I know, the park is closed on monday

Annie is right. So though you say you are leaving on Monday, don't leave it till Monday morning even if you leave MA later in the day or you'll be out of luck.

I'm interested in the replies to this post as well since I'll be in MA in July.

Not to hijack flycatcher's thread, but..quick question related to the beaches inside the park versus outside the park...

We are staying at Buena Vista Villas and have access to the beach at Tulemar. We are taking several children and thought they'd do "beach time" there instead of while we're inside MA. Do you think they'd prefer the beach inside the park, Playa Manual Antonio (a/k/a beach #2)?

I'd plan for the Park swim also even if only to cool off.

Tulemar's little darker sand beach is cute and certainly a bonus for the property. But, it can't hold a candle to Beach #3 inside the Park, definately plan for a swim there.

Dana,

We're staying at Tulemar next week, I'll compare the two beaches and post when I get back after the 26th.

IMO the beaches outside the park can not compare to those inside, especially the "middle" one.

We had a small beach at the base of our hotel, and it couldn't really compare to the one inside the park. Also MA can be quite hot and humid, so if you're hiking in the park, it might be nice to have your bathing suit so you can take a dip.

how far of a walk is it between the beaches in Manuel Antonio? thank you for all the conversation!

Not that far.....
You walk for approx. 3-5 minutes on the main public beach, wading across a little river to get to the pay booth.

The booth is at the start of Pretty Beach #2, you can choose to walk on the beach itself or on the jungle path in behind. Approx 10 minutes from pay booth to Very retty Beach #3(aka Playa Manuel Antonio).

The beach Volcanoe girl is speaking of is Biesanz Beach, more of a local beach with the odd tourist sprinkled in. We love this little gem. Take the Road towards Hotel Parador/ Makanda/Mariposa etc. to get to it.

The main public beach is great for bodysurfing, watching locals, close to the restaurants etc. It's a big, long, darker sand beach but has lots of character.

Walk towards the opposite end of the public beach(away from National Park), you eventually reach some rocks, a smaller beach is here, sometimes referred to as the gay beach. Just before these rocks on the right is a small road, this actually leads you to Biesanz and makes for a nice hike(1 hour total).

Great information everyone. Thanks. We'll definitely plan on a swim while at the park. Do we need to wear our suits or are there places to change at the park?

Nina - have a great time. I look forward to hearing about your trip when you get back.

Ignore my question about a place to change in the park. I just read on another thread that not only are there restrooms for changing, but there are even showers.

Dana,

The bathrooms at the park are very very basic. Also the shower is outdoors. I guess you can chagne there, but don't expect the comfortable change rooms you see at North American beaches or swimming pools.

raquel

Can anyone suggest which morning would be better to visit Manuel Antonio, on a Saturday or Sunday morning?

No, I can't go any other days, I'll only be in MA Sat, Sun and Monday and the park is closed Monday.

Thanks!