Manuel Antonio Costa Rica has become one of the most visited areas in Costa Rica since the National Park was created in 1972. Combining natural beauty, biodiversity, and numerous opportunities to explore and play, this area offers a unique lifestyle choice and the potential for investment growth all in one.

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Ponce de Leon May Have Been Right

Looking for the Fountain of Youth

During his quest to find eternal youth, Ponce de Leon may have been the first to put Manuel Antonio Costa Rica and its close neighbor, Quepos, on the map –literally. Charts dated 1519 show the area, although the intrepid Spaniard apparently never followed up on his discovery. Today, however, Manuel Antonio provides unique possibilities to rediscover the joys of youthful adventure.

San Bernardino Mission

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica has the distinction of being the location of one of the earliest Franciscan missions in the Americas. Founded in 1571, almost two centuries before any of the California missions existed, the Mission San Bernardino de Quepos would run until 1746 when it was closed due to continued unrest between members of the Coto Brus tribe and the Franciscans who sought to convert them to Catholicism.

Pirates of the Costa Rica Coast

Henry Morgan and the Sacking of Panama

The English pirate/privateer, Henry Morgan, attacked and looted the city of Panama in 1671. While his plans succeeded, Morgan was unable to find most of the 700 tons of Panamanian gold. Legend holds that the treasure map showing the location is buried in the hills of Manuel Antonio.

Clipperton’s Search for the Lost Treasure of Quepos

John Clipperton, the last of the British pirates to live in the Quepos-Manuel Antonio area, spent a number of years between 1709 and 1722 searching in vain for the Panamanian gold hoard. Finally leaving without finding the treasure, Clipperton remained certain the forests and hills in and around Manuel Antonio is the resting place for the gold.

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica Today – Staying and Playing in a Natural Paradise

Today tourists and expats enjoy the many recreational opportunities that can be found in Manuel Antonio. There are many lodging options in and around Manuel Antonio. On the winding road between Quepos and the National Park, there is a wide variety of places to stay both for short and long terms periods. The options range from 5 star hotels with full amenities to intimate bed-and-breakfasts. Apartments and condos are also available for rent by private owners.

Beaches

There are five beaches at Manuel Antonio: North Espadilla, South Espadilla, Manuel Antonio Beach, Puerto Escondido, and Playitas Beach. Swimming, snorkeling, surfing and parasailing are just some of the activities that visitors can enjoy.

Rainforest Adventures

The Park is home to one of the most stunning rainforests in the country. Tours through the park following the trail around Punta Catedral (Cathedral Point) can provide glimpses of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and a variety of birds including the colorful Toucan.

Great Dining Choices

Though not in the Park itself, there are many different food choices that offer spectacular views of the ocean and the rainforest. The choices can range from pizza to tapas to hot dogs. There is also a unique restaurant built around a C-123 cargo plane that was part of the Iran-Contra scandal of the ’80s.

Active Nightlife

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica has evolved from a sleepy beach to a location with a wide variety of bars and clubs that are a magnet for expats, visitors and locals alike. Neighboring Quepos also has a variety of entertainment choices when the sun goes down.

Getting to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica – Many Options Are Available

There are several options to choose from to make the 159 km (roughly 99 miles) trip between Juan Santamaria International Airport on the outskirts of San Jose and Manuel Antonio Costa Rica. The 2 ½ to 3 hour drive follows a scenic route through mountain passes and along the Pacific coast.

Buses/Shuttles

There are a wide variety of private and shared shuttle services available at the airport that can take visitors directly to their destination in and around Manuel Antonio National Park. For the more adventurous the Costa Rican public bus system offers inexpensive, if slightly slower, city to city transport that can make the travelling as interesting as the destination.

Taxis

Cabs are readily available 24 hours a day and are a faster alternative to buses to take you directly to your Manuel Antonio Costa Rica destination. Whether part of a taxi cooperative or privately owned, the yellow triangle on the door verifies that they are regulated by law. Fares are metered and are comparatively much cheaper than those in the U.S.

Rental Cars

There are a number of rental car agencies that offer a wide selection of vehicles including those equipped with 4 wheel drive. The requirements to rent a car in Costa Rica are 1) having a valid driver’s license from your home country; 2) being over 21 years of age; and 3) having a major credit card to cover rental cost.

Commuter Airlines

Costa Rica has two affordable commuter airlines, Sansa Air and Nature Air that fly to local destinations throughout Costa Rica. The small airport in Quepos is just minutes from Manuel Antonio Costa Rica and also has rental cars available if having your own transportation is a desirable option.

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Living and Investing Opportunities in the Manuel Antonio Costa Rica Area

While purchasing land in the Park itself is prohibited, the surrounding communities offer a diverse selection of properties and parcels that can be an attractive investment option or a prime retirement or vacation retreat.

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica Is an Investment Magnet

With the National Park and the various recreational opportunities that abound in the area, Manuel Antonio is a magnet for a vibrant tourist trade that can provide a ready-made market for rental properties or opening a new tourist-oriented business such as restaurants, tour companies, and more.

The Real Estate Market Is Different in Costa Rica

Like most Central American countries, Costa Rica does not have a MLS (multi-list) system or a Board of Realtors. As a result, properties may appear on a number of listings for different prices. With the number of new properties, of all types, coming on the market every day, checking out our Costa Rica listings is a great way to start the search for your own piece of “pura vida”.

Lots, Homes, or Commercial Properties?

The types of properties that are available in the Manuel Antonio Costa Rica area vary from location to location. Smaller towns farther away from the Park tend to have a greater number of undeveloped lots while larger communities will have more existing structures and a greater potential for commercial development as well.

Infrastructure

The Manuel Antonio Costa Rica area has a well-developed infrastructure with electricity, water, and access roads available in even the more secluded locations and undeveloped lots. The recent improvements and expansions in telephone, internet, and cable services are attractive enhancements to buying, building, and/or investing in the region.

Communities Close to Manuel Antonio – A Wide Variety of Properties and Lifestyles

It is a well-known maxim that when considering buying real estate the major consideration is “location, location, location.” The widely diverse communities in the Manuel Antonio Costa Rica area offer a range from undeveloped, secluded lots in the hills to exciting commercial locations within walking distance of the beach.

Manuel Antonio

Adjacent to the second most visited tourist attraction in Costa Rica, the community of Manuel Antonio is experiencing a resurgence in development. An increasing number of newly built condominiums offer a great investment potential to supply rental options for visitors to the park. Commercial opportunities also exist and the excellent infrastructure is an additional selling point.

Jaco

Located 73 km/45 miles from Manuel Antonio Costa Rica, this beach town, best known for surfing, has been built up and is well-established. With grocery and retail stores, restaurants, entertainment, a full selection of modern amenities, there are numerous condos and stand-alone residences available that could provide a second income, long-term investment or a ready-made retirement location near the ocean.

Platanillo

This rural mountain community located 60 km/37 miles from Manuel Antonio has a number of farms (fincas in Costa Rican) that have been divided into lots and offer a potential for those interested in a self-sustaining lifestyle. With access roads and basic utilities in place, these parcels in Platainillo could provide a special opportunity to live Pura Vida your way.

Bejuco

An up and coming beachfront community only 45 km/27 miles from Manuel Antonio, Bejuco is experiencing growth with a number of new condominiums being built that could provide an immediate rental income. With full access to electricity, water, cable, telephone, and internet, the potential to attract tourists and long-term renters is greatly enhanced.

Dominical

Playa Dominical is fast becoming the gateway to the Southern Zone. Its location, 45 km/28 miles from Manuel Antonio offers unsullied beaches and numerous lots and parcels that have both a residential and commercial aspect. The infrastructure is continuing to be enhanced and this “surfer’s paradise” promises to be a vibrant and special tourist attraction in the near future.

Quepos

The town of Quepos can almost be viewed as a suburb of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Although it is technically 7 km/4 miles from the park, it is nearly impossible to see where Quepos ends and Manuel Antonio begins.

Quepos has all the features of a modern town, including the small regional airport, with the flavor of a traditional Costa Rican community. This unique blend makes real estate here a desirable alternative to the more expensive properties in Manuel Antonio proper and makes this a potential for investment.

Manuel Antonio Costa Rica – The Present Potential and the Future Promise

The region in and around Manuel Antonio Costa Rica is a diverse blend of established tourist areas, rural farm lots, typical Costa Rican communities and beachfront living. As the expansion to the Southern Zone of Costa Rica continues, Manuel Antonio has the potential for an immediate investment return and the promise of growth in the future.

Whether you are considering a place to retire, rental income, or beginning a new business, Manuel Antonio is worth exploring to discover what the area may offer today and tomorrow.

Map of Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio Fast Facts

• Population: About 7,000 in the area
• Typical temperature: 89 Fahrenheit
• Nearest airport with U.S. flights: San Jose, Costa Rica
• Nearest U.S. consulate: San Jose, Costa Rica