Manuel Antonio National Park & Osa Peninsula
Early in the morning is the time the tropical forest is most active, and we are on the go heading to Manuel Antonio National Park in search of this early activity. Blessedly saved from development within its boundaries, Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the smallest Parks in the country, is perhaps the nations crowning glory. The park is one of the few remaining habitats of endangered species of animals like the Mono titi (squirrel monkey). Also the park includes one of the best beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast for swimming, as well as trails where you can hike for hours.
Several nature walks were organized including the one that climbed up the small hill known as Cathedral Point. This wedge-shaped piece of land that is now Cathedral Point was once an island. A neck of land connects it to the beach. It is a deposit of sand that builds up over thousands of years and finally connected the island to the mainland. All the groups came back with lots of sightings: Three-toed Sloth, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, iguanas and different colorful birds were some of the results of our nature walks. One of the groups got to see the double-toothed kite hunting strategy – this bird of prey follows monkey troops to catch prey they flush.
After our walks in this tropical environment, a quick swim on the ocean was perfect to cool off. We went back to the Sea Voyager, had lunch and took a little nap to be ready for some more. We didn’t have to wait long before a Humpback Whale was spotted close to the ship breaching several times. Also pan-tropical spotted dolphins were spotted swimming right next to the ship as well as Pacific green sea turtles. But the trip needs to keep going and the ship was positioned just off the beach entry to a little paradise of ornamental plants and tropical birds known as San Josecito, located right on the edge of the Corcovado National Park, with its pristine rain forest. One of the wildest and most remote areas in Costa Rica: the Osa Peninsula.
So a good day needs a good ending, and we spent the rest of the afternoon snorkeling and birding, on this outstanding beach; and with toucans and hummingbirds we ended this first full day in the tropics!
Early in the morning is the time the tropical forest is most active, and we are on the go heading to Manuel Antonio National Park in search of this early activity. Blessedly saved from development within its boundaries, Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the smallest Parks in the country, is perhaps the nations crowning glory. The park is one of the few remaining habitats of endangered species of animals like the Mono titi (squirrel monkey). Also the park includes one of the best beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast for swimming, as well as trails where you can hike for hours.
Several nature walks were organized including the one that climbed up the small hill known as Cathedral Point. This wedge-shaped piece of land that is now Cathedral Point was once an island. A neck of land connects it to the beach. It is a deposit of sand that builds up over thousands of years and finally connected the island to the mainland. All the groups came back with lots of sightings: Three-toed Sloth, White-throated Capuchin Monkeys, iguanas and different colorful birds were some of the results of our nature walks. One of the groups got to see the double-toothed kite hunting strategy – this bird of prey follows monkey troops to catch prey they flush.
After our walks in this tropical environment, a quick swim on the ocean was perfect to cool off. We went back to the Sea Voyager, had lunch and took a little nap to be ready for some more. We didn’t have to wait long before a Humpback Whale was spotted close to the ship breaching several times. Also pan-tropical spotted dolphins were spotted swimming right next to the ship as well as Pacific green sea turtles. But the trip needs to keep going and the ship was positioned just off the beach entry to a little paradise of ornamental plants and tropical birds known as San Josecito, located right on the edge of the Corcovado National Park, with its pristine rain forest. One of the wildest and most remote areas in Costa Rica: the Osa Peninsula.
So a good day needs a good ending, and we spent the rest of the afternoon snorkeling and birding, on this outstanding beach; and with toucans and hummingbirds we ended this first full day in the tropics!
