Costa Rica - Day 4 - Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica - Day 4

January 14th, 2014

Manuel Antonio

After our morning breakfast with the monkeys and iguana's, we decided our days adventure would be spent in Manuel Antonio's National Park. We packed snacks, swim suits, towels, water and drove the down the road to the park. We chose to save a fortune and take skip the guided tour. It was a good call, we saw the animals and flora without anyone having to point it out to us. There was one time we were behind a guided tour with a guide who had a big telescope looking at what we heard were bats. They were tiny spots high up in a tree. Probably vampire bats! The kids got excited about that. We saw 3 types of monkeys; the howler monkey, the spider monkey and the Capuchin Monkey. The last is the type of monkey that we sew daily all over the hotel grounds we stayed at. We also saw several big and creepy spiders, a dead crab and various other species along our walk. 

We took a trail that led us to one of the beaches in the park. It was crowded, with people and Capuchin monkeys. We were hot and the water felt good. The ocean waves were stronger and not as easy or safe for the kids to play in this bay than at the beach near our hotel. It was fun and adventurous. 

We left the park and strolled the streets outside the gates, looking at merchandise stands and small store fronts selling arts and crafts, clothes and other items. We bought a few things then went and had dinner at a place on the ocean. The food was good and the sun was going down. With ice cream cones in hand, we watched the sun set on the beach. 

To end the evening, the kids took a quick dip in the pool.

Costa Rica - Day 3 - Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica - Day 3

January 13th, 2014

Manuel Antonio

Waking up and walking down to the hotel restaurant became a nice and relaxing morning routine in Manuel Antonio. Because the days and nights are almost equal in Costa Rica, we got used to going to bed early and getting up early. By 8 am we were sitting down, eating. Breakfast was included in our hotel stay: beans, rice, fruit, eggs, coffee and juice every morning. While eating, we could watch the ocean just through the trees from where we sat, watch the iguana's and monkeys in and around the dining area and spend some time planning our day. 

This day was a beach day! 

But first, the pool was calling Esperanza so the kids and Armando took a quick dip in the pool that was just next to the restaurant. After that, we went to the beach, where we played in the sand and water for the next several hours. We found a spot to relax in the shade under the coconut and banana trees. Esperanza and Ezra would run to the ocean to play, then back up to the shaded area to get snacks and drinks. Monkeys passed back and forth from tree to tree. We bought fresh coconuts from a woman who used her machete to open them then served them with a straw. They cost about a dollar. Armando and I drank some beers and it was so warm and perfect.

When we were exhausted by the sun and ready to go to our room, we passed a tree with a sloth in it. 

Back at our room, the iguana's awaited our return, the kids got changed and relaxed in front of a movie and I saw dolphins swimming of the coast. They looked like two small black specks in the water and it took me a minute to figure out what they were. I couldn't get clear pictures of them, but I am certain they were dolphins. That evening, we drove to a nearby town and had dinner at a soda (like a cafe), walked around a bit, got some snacks from a little store then went back to our cabina for some sleep.