Where the rainforest and mountains meet the sea . . .
With one of the most stunning picture-postcard backdrops in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is considered one of the lushest places in the country. Its densely forested green hills bordered by spectacular white-grey sand beaches makes Manuel Antonio an area of such attraction and potential. The rapidly developing area of wet tropical forest and abundant wildlife maintains Manuel Antonio as one of the premier spots in Costa Rica.
History. . .
The town of Quepos was originally inhabited by the Quepoa Indian tribe, hence giving this area its name. The number of Quepoa people significantly declined mostly due to the diseases brought from the conquest by the Europeans. By the end of the 19th century, no pure-blooded Quepoa remained, and the area began to be colonized and turned into a prominent banana-exporting port by farmers from the highlands. In recent decades, African oil-palms have replaced bananas as the major local crop. Consequently, Quepos has transformed from a major shipping port to an important sportfishing center and as a gateway to Manuel Antonio and its National Park. (Lonely Planet)
Fusing tropical beauty and luxury. . .
Located in the Central Pacific zone of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is a beautiful and ecologically rich area that is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and in Central America. The extensive growth of the tourist industry and investments of foreign dollars in the recent years has created in a unique fusion of nature and luxurious living and has resulted in an eclectic mix of foreigners searching for adventures and local ´ticos´ maintaining the friendly ´pura vida´ layed-back way of life.