Squirrel monkey

After our extremely long travel day, we arrived at our final destination in Costa Rica — Manuel Antonio National Park.  We’re here for five days, and are moving at a pretty relaxed pace — especially given the heat and humidity.  (I’ve been moving at a particularly slow pace, as I found myself sidelined for a couple of days with nausea and stomach ailments.  But yesterday I pulled out the 80-pound medical kit that I’ve been hauling all over the continent, and decided to hit it from all angles — immodium, rehydration salts, antibiotics.  I’m not sure what worked, but I’m much better now.)

Today we headed for the park itself, which consists of a string of beaches with reefs offshore, bordered by jungle that rises sharply into high hills.  Even the bus ride was beautiful, with the blue-green Pacific stretching out far below us.  And the park certainly did not disappoint.

Bob and I pretty quickly determined that if someone wanted to go just one place in Costa Rica, this would be a pretty solid choice.  The beaches were amazingly beautiful.  There were miles of trails through the jungles.  And the animals — well, it was hard to believe.  In most place you have to really cross your fingers that (a) the animals will be around, and (b) you will be able to find them (which generally requires a guide).  But here, it was like the animals were all auditioning for the next National Geographic

Mama capuchin with very new baby

centerfold.  Monkeys, sloths, deer, raccoons were all practically throwing themselves in our path.  Monkeys, in particular, were everywhere, including a troop of the supposedly rare, elusive, and endangered squirrel monkey, which are endemic to this park.  Many of the monkeys were carrying adorable little babies on their backs.

You could hike up through the rain forest to a high lookout point with an amazing Pacific view, commune with the monkeys for a while, then loop back down and cool off with a dip in that same Pacific.   What could be better?

Panoramic shot at Cathedral Point

View from the Cathedral Point trail

Well, there is one thing.  The observation Bob and I made seems to have been shared by some other people.  A LOT of other people, in fact.  All of whom were here today also, cluttering up the paths and poking us with their cameras and blocking our views.  We’re not used to that in Central America.  (Apparently most of them are Americans.  Someone asked me about the beach on the path today (in Spanish!  and I answered!) and then asked where I was from.  When I said the U.S., the woman he was with shook her head and said, “Encore!”  Too bad for her that I haven’t completely forgotten my high school French (though learning Spanish has irretrievably messed it up) and knew that she was saying, “Again?!” rather than asking for a repeat performance of my masterful Spanish.)

The “rare” and “elusive” squirrel monkey

Anyway, this place is an excellent closer for Costa Rica.  I’m glad we came here late in the trip.  Otherwise, some of our other wildlife experiences, with less promiscuous animals, might have seemed disappointing.  Tomorrow we have one more day of relaxing (sunset and possibly surfing on the beach is planned) and then off to our final two weeks in Belize!