Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [301]
To achieve this aim, they are reforesting the Río Naranjo, a key waterway linking the two locations. More than 10,000 trees have already been planted along 8km of the Naranjo. This not only has the effect of extending the monkeys’ habitat, but also provides a protected area for other wildlife to enjoy. Scientists at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica have mapped and selected sites for reforestation, and business owners in the area as well as private donations support the project financially.
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Information
Banco Promerica (8am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat) Has a 24-hour ATM on the Cirrus network and can exchange US dollars.
Cantina Internet Café (per hr ₡750; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat)
El Chante Internet (per hr ₡750; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat)
La Buena Nota (2777-1002; buennota@racsa.co.cr; Manuel Antonio) A good source of tourist information for this area.
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Sights & Activities
You can relax after a day’s activities at the Serenity Spa (2777-0777, ext 220; Hotel Sí Como No), a good place for couple’s massages, sunburn-relief treatments, coconut body scrubs and tasty coffee.
Also belonging to the Hotel Sí Como No and situated just across the street is Fincas Naturales (2777-0850; www.butterflygardens.co.cr; adult/child US$15/8), a private rainforest preserve and butterfly garden. About three dozen species of butterfly are bred here. The garden has a sound-and-light show at night (US$35 per person) and is surrounded by nature trails.
Amigos del Río (2777-1084; www.adventuremanuelantonio.com) runs white-water rafting trips for all skill levels on the Ríos Savegre and Naranjo. Prices vary depending on the size of the party and the nature of your trip.
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Courses
Escuela de Idiomas D’Amore (2777-1143, in USA 310-435-9897, 262-367-8589; www.escueladamore.com) has Spanish immersion classes at all levels; local homestays can be arranged. Two-week classes with/without homestay start at US$995/845, though significant discounts are available for longer periods of study. This institute comes recommended by a large number of readers for its high level of service and professionalism.
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Quepos to Manuel Antonio for Children
The Quepos to Manuel Antonio stretch of road is home to the lion’s share of accommodations and restaurants in these parts, and you will see plenty of vacationing families wherever you go. But it’s worth pointing out that many of the high-end boutique hotels and upscale eateries are not always very welcoming of babies and young children. Assuming, however, that you avoid anything with obvious over-the-top glitz and glamour, your children will be well catered for at many of the establishments covered in this section.
A word of caution: driver visibility is limited along parts of the narrow, steep and winding road, particularly during low-light and foul-weather conditions. If you find yourself walking along the road (there is no shoulder), keep a close eye on your children at all times, and warn them to be careful of passing cars. Likewise, always drive carefully, and return the favor by keeping an eye out for pedestrians.
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Sleeping
The Quepos–Manuel Antonio road is heavily skewed towards ultra top-end hotels, but there are plenty of noteworthy midrange accommodations as well as an excellent budget hostel. High-season rates are provided throughout this section, though it’s worth knowing that low-season rates can be as much as 40% lower in some hotels. Reservations are an absolute must for busy weekends and holiday seasons.
For more accommodations options, see Quepos section, Click here,