My last visit to Manuel Antonio
My last visit to Manual Antonio was in February 2018 with ourselves and a Swedish family, 10 in all. I don’t remember the purpose of 2 separate lines to obtain tickets—I just remember it was inefficient, and not charmingly so.
I do not mean to disparage the country in any way. I am very tolerant of sometimes-backward ways as it is part of the laid back charm that takes me back to how life was, say, the ‘60’s. (we have just returned from Morocco and Berber settlements in the Atlas mountains). I am concerned about M. A. becoming overcrowded with people not necessarily bearing binoculars and fauna guides. With the Quepos runway lengthening, bringing larger planes and more tourists—and this being the #1 natural attraction “to say you did,” perhaps ask M. A. rangers and guides how they plan to defend their plant and animal collections. Besides comical begging monkeys, are the animal populations moving out as more tourists move in? Should there be daily tourist limits? Mandatory guides?— as in the Corcovado now? Awkward years and growing pains, for sure.
If the real pain in the ass to get a ticket since they moved the entrance way down the road to the left. Yes, it adds to the expectation of what lies ahead, but at what cost.
Then you have to go to an ATM and get out cash to boot, as I recall. There was another line/hoop we had to do before purchasing the tickets….
I was there before the boardwalks and although I understand soil compaction and animal bites, I think it has detracted seriously from the authenticity.
We saw one sloth, and that mass of monkeys on the beach taking food, but very few other animals. Have they left and gone elsewhere? It was a lot of anticipation and cost, and very few animals.
And are those Nicaraguan still selling those damn clay pots on the beach? We had to draw a “no ‘pot’ zone” sign in the sand and hope they could read international symbols.
Yes, the new sidewalks and turnaround looks lovely. I don’t recall the bathrooms being skanky, and don’t know where the waste water dumped out. And don’t want to know.
In fairness, the first time I was there was with a guide and I saw tons of stuff. On one’s own, you see virtually nothing unless it is swinging by. Maybe if the price of guides was more moderate an add-on, more people would hire them, and they would have a better experience overall. Yes, find a way to streamline the ticketing process. Way too cumbersome.
Maybe purchase them at hotels or down at the “turn around.”
Mary Jane
Massachusetts, USA
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The change in Manuel Antonio
This will be brief. The first time my wife and I visited Manuel Antonio was on our first visit to Costa Rica in the early 1990’s. We went because it was even at that time considered the most spectacular national park in the country, which was a fact according to our impressions. It was easily accessible, uncrowded, and the distance between the park and Quepos was largely open land with just a few hotels and restaurants.
My next visit, and likely my last, was in 2015, when I took my brother-in-law who wanted to take pictures of the scenery. It was a nightmare compared to my first visit. The crowds were ridiculous, but nothing compared to the hawkers. There was no place to park and the traffic police constantly pushed me forward. Tourist trap shops were everywhere selling mass-produced ‘gifts’.
Thank goodness my brother-in-law was quick with his photographs and I was able to exit the park entrance area in a short period of time. I cannot imagine the work that will be required to bring the park back to its prior situation, but it needs to be done or the entire region will continue to deteriorate.
Since it is such a huge draw for visitors, it seems imperative that the government gets involved and supplies the funds and work necessary to rectify this situation.
D. O.,
Herradura, Garabito, Puntarenas
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My experience in Manuel Antonio
I visited the park in November 2018. I was disgusted with the park conditions and vowed to never return AND I have informed many friends and family members to not waste their time in visiting the park.
IF the park is considered to be a “national treasure” to the citizens of Costa Rica, then a sincere effort should be undertaken to improve the conditions so as to reflect same. There are no reasons what-so-ever for a “national park” to not be in pristine condition.
Regards,
Larry Mecom
Houston, Texas
(Frequent visitor to Costa Rica)
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Editor’s note: The views or opinions expressed by the authors are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the senders and do not necessarily represent the opinion of A.M. Costa Rica. Therefore, the newspaper does not accept liability for reader's opinion letter content.
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