The Near Perfect Beach in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park is a short 3 hour ride from the airport in Alajuela and quite possibly my new favorite place.   The park consists of several trails that provide photographic opportunities like no other.  Here you will find everything from Capuchin monkeys to the elusive sloth napping in the trees.

Make sure you don’t make the mistake I made and rush your way through the trail system – take your time.  In fact, hiking the same trails across multiple days will likely result in different fauna, so it is highly recommended.  While guides are available, I am a fan of going it alone.

Make sure you take both a wide angle and telephoto zoom lens to capture the beauty of the beaches as well as the candid expressions of the fauna.  Light may become an issue while you are on the trails so experiment with higher ISOs and faster shutter speeds to ensure your end pictures are clear and sharp.

SCUBA diving is also an option in Manuel Antonio through dive shops in Quepos.  Oceans Unlimited is great and if you go, ask for Katherine or Georgia.   Make sure you give them a shout as you are planning your trip since you may be able to arrange a trip to Isla de Caño or Viente Seis – check their web site for details on why you WANT to do these dives.  Expect to see octopus, eels, various reef fish and if you look really hard, nudibranchs.

If you go diving, you can rent everything you need, but I am a fan of bringing your ‘life support system’ with you.  If you don’t have it already, consider buying:

• A Dive Computer – why go all that way and not have a digital diary of your dives as well as the extra security of what a computer can provide on non-decompression limits
• Surface buoy and finger spool – you never know when you will be separated and some of the dive locations (Viente Seis and Isla de Caño) are a bit more advanced with either depth or current / surge
• Save a dive kit – nothing is worse that being on the boat and breaking a strap, losing an o-ring, or needing a new regulator mouth piece.  This little kit can go a long way and make you the hero if someone else is in need.