Manuel Antonio National Park - Costa Rica

Creation Date: 23-Nov-1972
Extension: 1625 ha

History:

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small biological island bordered by different agricultural and economical activities from which Tourism has become the most important by far. Manuel Antonio is the natural preserved area with the largest number of visitors every year.

It protects patches of primary forest, secondary growth forest, mangrove habitats, beach vegetation and marine ecosystems.

Flora:

Some of the most characteristic species of plants are: Cedro Maria (cedrela sp), Guapinol (himenea sp), Sura (terminalia sp), Cenizaro (samanea sp), and Ceiba (ceiba sp).

The mangrove ecosystem covers 18 hectares and it's composed by three species: Mangle Colorado (rhizophora sp), Botoncillo, and Mariquita (avicenia sp).

Fauna:

There are 109 species of mammals, some of the most remarkable are: Raccoons, Coaties, Agoutis, The Two and Three Toed Sloths, White Faced Monkeys, Howler Monkeys and the rare Squirrel Monkey; endangered of extinction due to the loss of its habitat and illegal hunting to keep them as pets. Around 184 species of birds have been reported to Manuel Antonio, some of the most common ones are: Toucanets, Brown Pelicans, Laughing Falcon, Osprey, Kingfishers, Purple Gallinule and several other water birds. Green and Black Iguanas are very common at the beach area. Snakes are frequently found.