Beach Bum Tryouts on Manuel Antonio Beach
Hotels in the area range from 45.00 a night www.bananatreehotel.com to 150.00+ a night http://www.issimosuites.com . A few links are included in this article, however, the variety is so great that 30 minutes of research is guaranteed to satisfy every tourist. Naturally, almost every hotel or bungalow community has a pool, and many have excellent restaurants or at least a bar connected to it so if necessary, the guest never needs to leave place! Drinks are generally cheaper than they are in the U.S., and do expect a stout drink. The Costa Rican people (Ticos) are very generous. Pina Coladas are made from fresh coconuts and pineapple that is locally grown. The flavor is unmatched.
A couple of local farms offer horseback riding with an option of the slower jungle trail ride, or an adventurous jaunt on the beach. Either one costs about 20 dollars for an hour. Entrance in to the National Park is within walking distance from every hotel and costs under 10 dollars; there’s no time limit and tours are available through most hotels. In the national park are a variety of monkeys who are very accustomed to visitors. Get your cameras ready! The sloth may be difficult to see as they don’t move much, but animals that do move more quickly can be heard rustling through the brush. See list below for prices and links of more things to do.
Ticos know coffee; www.tesdelsol.com there’s no place that is better than anohter for the coffee, it’s all excellent. Breakfasts of pancakes, fresh-cut fruit, fruit smoothies, and bacon and eggs satisfy the traveling palate, but for the sake of adventure, try the gallo pinto (beans and rice mixed) with a bit of spice. It’s nice with an egg and a good source of protein for the exciting day ahead. There’s never any pressure in Manuel Antonio to “do” anything. If laying in the air conditioned room listening to the birds provokes the idea of a “real” vacation – then do that. If it’s excitement like rapelling through the rainforest canopy, or surfing the mighty Pacific – that’s available too! The perfect dream vacation is just waiting to be experienced in the sleepy little beach town of Manuel Antonio.
HOW TO GET THERE
Over the hill (about a mile) is a smaller, less quaint little town called Quepos. This is more of an inhabited and commercialized area. However, if “stranded” in Quepos, there’s no need to fear. Many of the people speak English and for just a few dollars (literally 3.00) a taxi will happily take anyone over the hill.
Bus – http://www.costaricabustickets.com/ (About 6 dollars and a million memories) This is the main hub for busses to all of Costa Rica. Fortunately, one of the busses does go over the hill in to Manuel Antonio which is included in the ticketed price. Even though the bus is as big as a greyhound bus, if the driver is informed at which hotel the guest is staying (just tell him), he’ll stop out front.
Plane – http://www.lynchtravel.com/ (100 dollars from the capital) Quepos has an airport. The cost from the capital of Costa Rica (San Jose) to Quepos is about 100 USD
Private Taxi – (50 dollars per person round trip from the capital) Many Ticos make a living taking tourists door-to-door in Jeep-type vehicles. Be prepared for a less-than-relaxing ride. The Ticos are very familiar with the twisting and turning roads. Traveling very close to the edge of cliffs and not slowing down for animals or pedestrians in the street may be unnerving to some. But, it is a definite adventure, and always a safe (enough) journey. For a 2 hour trip, the cost would be about 200 dollars, but they’ll pack as many people and luggage in as will fit, so four people can get reasonable round-trip transportation with door-to-door service.
Public Taxi – http://www.infoturistica.com/taxis_eng.html (Under 5 dollars) Taxis are affordable and fun. Latin music is always blaring, the windows are usually open and be advised that the cabbie probably smokes! Leave the hair style and the attitude at home. Just go with it and pay the 5 bucks and make his day.
ALSO RECOMMENDED: (No reservations are necessary. Just walk up and pay)
Learn how to surf 30/hour – (includes board and wet-shirt)
Get a massage 30/hour (on the beach in your suit!)
Coconut Drink 1.00 (straw in coconut. Not sweet)
USEFUL LINKS
List of links to all hotels in Manuel Antonio Beach and surrounding area http://www.hotels.co.cr/centralpacific.html
Airport shuttle or upscale vacation transportation http://www.costaricashuttle.com
El Taxi Tipico – (A regular taxi) http://www.infoturistica.com/taxis_eng.html
Private Taxi (more $ than regular, but less than the shuttle) http://www.costaricauncovered.com/taxis-cabs.htm
