Costa Rica is known for beautiful beaches and exotic wildlife galore, and there are few better places for this tropical combination than Manuel Antonio. This must-see destination hosts one of the country’s most visited National Parks, as it exemplifies both the idyllic sandy Pacific coast as well as the lush rainforest full of fascinating creatures.
Located only a few hours from Costa Rica’s capital, San José, Manuel Antonio is an accessible beach for ticos (Costa Ricans) and tourists alike, but it still maintains its natural beauty and impressive biodiversity with limited development near the beach and park. Manuel Antonio National Park alone is home to 109 mammal species and 184 bird species. That being said, you are guaranteed to come across some interesting critters!
Walking through the rainforest or along the beach, you may catch a glimpse of unique whiptail snakes, brown basilisk lizards, fruit bats, and several colorful birds like toucans and scarlet macaws. But in the event that the shyer inhabitants don’t make an appearance, you likely won’t need to look far for the following five Common Costa Rican Creatures Found at Manuel Antonio.
5 Common Costa Rican Creatures Found at Manuel Antonio:
1. Monkeys
The most common monkey, or monos, found in this park are the white-headed or white-faced capuchins, which are not afraid to get up close and personal when they are looking for a snack. In fact they are quite mischievous, and if you aren’t watching your back, they could very well get away with some of your lunch. While they are omnivores, their diet consists mostly of fruits and insects and some human food could actually be deadly to them, and the park authority strictly forbids feeding the monkeys.
You may also come across, or at least hear, the mantled howler monkey. Howler monkeys are named for their impressively loud call. You may hear them or be able to spot them high in the canopy; they are much less active than the other species because they only eat a very low-energy diet of leaves.
The rarest of monkeys in Central America, the smaller orange squirrel monkey, can also be seen at Manuel Antonio. They are otherwise only found at Corcovado National Park in southeastern Costa Rica and a small area of Panama.
2. Sloths
Costa Rica’s most beloved sluggish canopy-dweller can be spotted at Manuel Antonio high in the trees. Both three-toed sloths and two-toed sloths are residents here, and are often seen hugging a tree, scratching their butts and generally not moving very much. They are, after all, called perezosos, the Spanish word for lazy. You may not even notice them at first as they can appear like bumps on the trees, but if you’re lucky, they may show you a little action by shimmying slowly across a branch, or even smile at you. These cute common Costa Rican creatures found at Manuel Antonio are surely on everyone’s list of things to see.
3. Iguanas
A popular pet in the United States, the iguana is one of Cost Rica’s most impressive wild species. These regal lizards are often seen basking in the sun, and are rarely frightened in the presence of humans. Both the black spiny-tailed iguana and the green iguana are common creatures found at Manuel Antonio. Although these species are labeled black and green, they can actually be quite colorful with exquisite scales and spiny backs, and are usually 3 to 6 feet long.
4. Crabs
There are many different types of crabs among the common Costa Rican creatures found at Manuel Antonio, including ghost crabs, red land crabs, mouthless crabs, and hermit crabs. Whether they are scurrying through the sand, clinging to the wave-splashed rocks, or crawling across the forest floor, these little critters run abundant in the park and the beach.
5. Crab-eating raccoons
All right, so raccoons may not be the most exotic creatures, but these masked bandits are in fact native to Manuel Antonio. They love to feast on the beach’s variety of crustaceans (namely this list’s aforementioned critters) as well as any other scraps they may find in the jungle or nab from tourists. You may also see a white-nosed coati (also known as a pizote), a relative of the raccoon that is equally, if not more, cute and friendly.
Experience Manuel Antonio with OBCR!
Many of our alumni consider Manuel Antonio as one of the highlights of their course experience. This is a popular spot on our Girl Scouts Rainforest, River, & Reef course, our Summer Expeditions’ Rainforest Hike & Homestay, and our Gap Year & Semester courses where students soak up the sun at the pristine beach and trek through Manuel Antonio National Park to learn about the diverse wildlife and ecology. Students stay at our cozy beach base in the nearby rainforest after a fun day catching rays and waves. You can also take advantage of our Customized Courses, and incorporate this piece of paradise into your own personalized adventure to see these 5 common Costa Rican creatures found at Manuel Antonio for yourself. For more information about our courses, click on the link below.