Costa Rica is a paradise for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. From stunning views to thrilling wildlife encounters, this destination offers a blend of relaxation and excitement. Join me as I recount my unforgettable trip to Manuel Antonio, where breathtaking landscapes, unique experiences, and a touch of adventure made for a memorable journey. This destination has become a hot commodity and I can totally understand why! Here’s a detailed account of our itinerary, what we did, and my personal recommendations for anyone planning a visit!
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
Our Costa Rican adventure began on Tuesday with a pick-up at San Jose International Airport around 11 AM. We flew in on a direct flight from Fort Lauderdale. After a quick stop for snacks and drinks, we embarked on a scenic three-hour drive to our villa in Manuel Antonio. We even spotted some crocodiles in the wild on our drive! Arriving around 2 PM, we were greeted by a view that was nothing short of spectacular.
Accomodations
The villa, rated ★4.99, featured four bedrooms, five beds, and three baths, offering a luxurious stay with an infinity pool that became our favorite hangout spot. We even spotted a sloth from our bed—a magical touch to our stay! Pictures really don’t even do it justice, this place was straight out of MTV Cribs.
Day 2: Exploring Manuel Antonio National Park
Wednesday was dedicated to exploring Manuel Antonio National Park. We joined a guided tour led by Karen, who was fantastic at spotting wildlife with her telescope. The hike was about 3.5 miles, with optional extensions to Cathedral Point. We saw a variety of animals, including sloths, capybaras, and colorful crabs. The stunning views made the hike worthwhile. I would highly recommend the guided hike experience and taking a little journey to Cathedral Point!
We wore hiking shoes but may not have needed to. Sneakers would have sufficed for the hike that we did, so if you’re short on carryon space, you can leave the boots behind! My hiking shoes were sneakers so they were really the perfect middle ground as I could wear them in the airport and while hiking. Overall, the hike was about 3.5 miles and the terrain was pretty mangeable.
Note that you cannot bring any food or bottled water to Manuel Antonio because it is a protected land. You can, however, bring a reusable water bottle or do what I did and bring a backpack with a hydration reservoir.
After our guided tour, we stopped at Emilio’s for lunch as recommended by Karen. Emilio’s quickly became a favorite (spoiler alert: we ate there 3 times during our stay!).
For dinner, we visited La Mariposa, which had gorgeous views and good drinks but fell short on slow service and mediocre food. We all agreed we liked Emilio’s much more!
Day 3: Beach Day and Local Insights
Thursday began with an early morning that allowed us to enjoy coffee and the incredible views before heading out for breakfast and a beach day.
For breakfast, we checked out El Avion, which is an old plane turned restaurant and pub with sweeping water views. We all opted for the traditional breakfast and it was fabulous. One thing to note that they do not serve alcohol before 11 — a bummer if you’d like a mimosa or bloody mary with breakfast but not a deal-breaker! The views and delicious food more than made up for it.
After breakfast, we took a taxi down to the beach. The beach was a delight, with cute pups roaming around and a relaxing atmosphere. However, our beach experience was marred by some unexpected charges, which was a bit disappointing. In spirit of full transparency, we got a little bit ripped off but they did bring us mojitos and pina coladas to our tent and chairs, plus some people surfed so it was kinda worth it. In sum, it was close to $400 and while that was a little pricier than we expected, the same thing would’ve been close to $1000 back home.
While we knew we were going to pay a premium since we were in a very touristy area, they kept adding charges and even charged us for stuff we didn’t get like nachos. Like if I’m paying for nachos I might as well get some dang nachos!
My advice? Just be careful and stay away from a man named Pedro (haha jk, sort of). Despite the issues, the mojitos and pina coladas were a nice touch, and we ended the day back at Emilio’s, which continued to impress.
That night, we returned to Emilio’s for a fabulous dinner. Dishes we loved were the Carribean fish and the curries!
Day 4: Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
Don’t let the smile fool you — Friday’s deep-sea fishing adventure did not go as planned. The rough waters made for a challenging experience, leading to seasickness for the entire group. The full-day trip turned out to be exhausting and less enjoyable than anticipated, culminating in food poisoning for four out of six of us. Despite the fish caught, the lack of proper preparation and service left us feeling frustrated. My advice: opt for a shorter, more relaxed boat ride instead.
Day 5: Final Day and Reflections
On our final day, we enjoyed a farewell breakfast at Emilio’s before exploring Quepos. We stumbled upon a fantastic juice bar where we refreshed ourselves with a green juice—a perfect way to end our trip. Returning to the villa, we relaxed and even spotted another sloth from our bed, adding a perfect ending to our Costa Rican adventure.
Private Chef Night
We enjoyed a fantastic meal prepared by private chefs at our villa on the last night. Delicious ceviche, empanadas, traditional Costa Rican food, and amazing desserts.
Departure
Sunday we were up early for our flight and unfortunately most everyone was sick. We had a 3 hour drive to the airport through the mountains, so it was a bit rough, I’m not going to lie. Still, we had great memories of a fantastic trip to reflect on!
Our Costa Rican Adventure
Costa Rica is a land of incredible beauty and adventure, offering experiences from thrilling hikes and wildlife spotting to relaxing beach days and vibrant local culture. Despite some hiccups along the way, the trip was filled with unforgettable moments and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or adventure, Manuel Antonio provides a bit of everything, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler.
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