Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is a natural conservation area located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the canton of Quepos, province of Puntarenas. The park is located about 157 km south of the city of San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and 7 km south of the city of Quepos, between Damas and Matapalo. It was established on November 15, 1972 with an extension of 1,983 ha in the terrestrial part and 55,000 ha in the marine part, dedicated to conservation, research and ecological tourism oriented towards environmental education. Manuel Antonio was selected by Forbes Magazine in 2011 among the list of the 12 most beautiful parks in the world.

The region where the Manuel Antonio National Park is located, was populated by the Quepoa indigenous community, name that gave rise to the city of Quepos. With the arrival of the colonists, the land became a cultivation area that was later acquired by the United Fruit Company, until in 1972, under pressure from the Costa Rican people, it was acquired by the State, remaining under its protection and creating the park. National under Law 5100. It is currently administered by the Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC), the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET).