Monkeys and more at Manuel Antonio National Park

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During these days living the Tico life, I did take a day to be a total tourist and headed to the Manuel Antonio National Park, the most visited park of the country. I met Alexia in the bus on the way, super nice solo traveler from Belgium, and we ended up spending the day together. She is passionate about wildlife and monkeys and is training to become a wild animal caretaker.

As the photo above shows, we were not the only ones. Arriving at 8am is the busiest time for tours, the start of the trails were really packed! It got a bit better deeper in the park and in the afternoon it was deserted as everyone had headed to the stunning beaches of the park.

We saw monkeys, lots of them! Whole groups of them crawling in the trees around the trails. Sadly they have even become a pest because they come in town and look for food in dumpsters. On the beach you had to be very careful not to get your bags taken away! And also raccoons! Other animals not in the photos: sloths, seen up high in the trees, crocodiles, frogs, bats, and more.

Overall a pleasant day in the very hot sun and humidity of the jungle.


*Tico is the way Costa Ricans call themselves :-)


 With Alexia on a bit more quiet path surrounded by mangrove

Just one of hundreds white-faced monkeys 

 This one is kind of cute but mostly these Capucins monkeys seem to have a 'hangry' face, always looking for food!

I was kind of getting nervous about some people wanting to feed the monkeys even though it is clearly bad for them and for us - not just because it is illegal 

Can hardly see and don't know the name of this animal - like a giant squirrel with no tail 


Everyone needs to keep an eye on their bags or else that monkey will come grab it, open it and take the food! Or take the whole bag into the jungle.


Beware also of raccoons coming and grabbing your bag in search for food!

 Same beach but not showing all the people - looks so different ! It really was beautiful.

Fun time spending the day with Alexia!

Paradise colors and lots of people

Monkeys really everywhere especially by the beaches looking for food! 

Ending with the typical local 'casado' - in my case vegetarian version.
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Location: Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica

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