La guía de Daniela
Lugares de interés
As visitors arrive at this small outcrop of land jutting into the Pacific, the air becomes heavy with humidity, scented with thick veg- etation and alive with the calls of birds and monkeys, making it suddenly apparent that this is the tropics. The reason to come here is the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, one of the most picturesque bits of tropical coast in Costa Rica.
If you get bored of cooing at the baby monkeys scurrying in the canopy and scan- ning for birds and sloths, the turquoise waves and perfect sand provide endless entertainment. However, as it’s one of the country’s most popular national parks, little Quepos, the once sleepy fishing and banana village on the park’s perimeter, has bal- looned with this tourism-based economy, and the road from Quepos to the park is overdeveloped. Despite this, the rainforest- ed hills and the blissful beaches make the park a stunning destination worthy of the tourist hype.
557 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
As visitors arrive at this small outcrop of land jutting into the Pacific, the air becomes heavy with humidity, scented with thick veg- etation and alive with the calls of birds and monkeys, making it suddenly apparent that this is the tropics. The reason to come here is the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, one of the most picturesque bits of tropical coast in Costa Rica.
If you get bored of cooing at the baby monkeys scurrying in the canopy and scan- ning for birds and sloths, the turquoise waves and perfect sand provide endless entertainment. However, as it’s one of the country’s most popular national parks, little Quepos, the once sleepy fishing and banana village on the park’s perimeter, has bal- looned with this tourism-based economy, and the road from Quepos to the park is overdeveloped. Despite this, the rainforest- ed hills and the blissful beaches make the park a stunning destination worthy of the tourist hype.
Situated at the mouth of the Río Tárcoles, the 52-sq-km Parque Nacional Carara (ad- mission Us$10; h 7am-3pm Dec-Mar, 8am-4pm Apr-Nov) is only 50km southeast of Puntar- enas by road or about 90km west of San José via the Orotina highway. Straddling the transition between the dry forests of Costa Rica’s northwest and the sodden rainforests of the southern Pacific lowlands, this nation- al park is a biological melting pot of the two. Acacias intermingle with strangler figs, and cacti with deciduous kapok trees, creating heterogeneity of habitats with a blend of wildlife to match.
Carara is the famed home to one of Cos- ta Rica’s most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a rare proposition in most of the country, macaw sightings are virtually guaranteed at Carara. And, of course, there are more than 400 other avian species flitting around the canopy, as well as Costa Rica’s largest crocodiles in the wa- terways – it’s best to leave your swimming trunks at home!
The park’s three trails can easily be ex- plored in half a day; come early to maximize wildlife sightings.
The dry season from December to April is the easiest time to go, though the animals are still here in the wet months. March and April are the driest months. Rainfall is al- most 3000mm annually, which is less than in the rainforests further south. It’s fairly hot, with average temperatures of 25°C (77°F) to 28°C (82°F), but it’s cooler within the rain- forest. An umbrella is important in the wet season and occasionally needed in the dry months. Make sure you have insect repellent.
158 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Nacional Carara
Situated at the mouth of the Río Tárcoles, the 52-sq-km Parque Nacional Carara (ad- mission Us$10; h 7am-3pm Dec-Mar, 8am-4pm Apr-Nov) is only 50km southeast of Puntar- enas by road or about 90km west of San José via the Orotina highway. Straddling the transition between the dry forests of Costa Rica’s northwest and the sodden rainforests of the southern Pacific lowlands, this nation- al park is a biological melting pot of the two. Acacias intermingle with strangler figs, and cacti with deciduous kapok trees, creating heterogeneity of habitats with a blend of wildlife to match.
Carara is the famed home to one of Cos- ta Rica’s most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a rare proposition in most of the country, macaw sightings are virtually guaranteed at Carara. And, of course, there are more than 400 other avian species flitting around the canopy, as well as Costa Rica’s largest crocodiles in the wa- terways – it’s best to leave your swimming trunks at home!
The park’s three trails can easily be ex- plored in half a day; come early to maximize wildlife sightings.
The dry season from December to April is the easiest time to go, though the animals are still here in the wet months. March and April are the driest months. Rainfall is al- most 3000mm annually, which is less than in the rainforests further south. It’s fairly hot, with average temperatures of 25°C (77°F) to 28°C (82°F), but it’s cooler within the rain- forest. An umbrella is important in the wet season and occasionally needed in the dry months. Make sure you have insect repellent.
Calypso Cruises
BOAt tOUr www.calypsocruises.com; Av 3, near Calle 9; day trips adult/student/ child under 7yr Us$145/135/80) This longestablished, topclass, gringo owned catamaran makes day trips to Tortuga’s brilliant white beaches, mostly catering to Puntare- nas cruise-ship crowds. Trips come with a picnic lunch, fresh fruit, snacks and booze.
103 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Isla Tortuga Tour
Calypso Cruises
BOAt tOUr www.calypsocruises.com; Av 3, near Calle 9; day trips adult/student/ child under 7yr Us$145/135/80) This longestablished, topclass, gringo owned catamaran makes day trips to Tortuga’s brilliant white beaches, mostly catering to Puntare- nas cruise-ship crowds. Trips come with a picnic lunch, fresh fruit, snacks and booze.
Call to +506 2645-1017; admission Us$20;
This 200m-high waterfall is claimed to be the highest in the country. From the entrance, it’s a steep 3km (45-minute) hike down into the valley; at the bottom, the river continues through a series of natural swimming holes. The falls are most dramat- ic at their fullest, during the rainy season, though the serene rainforest setting is beautiful any time of year. A 5km dirt road past Hotel Villa Lapas leads to the prima- ry entrance to the falls. Keep an eye out for brightly colored poison-dart frogs as well as the occasional pair of scarlet macaws.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva
Call to +506 2645-1017; admission Us$20;
This 200m-high waterfall is claimed to be the highest in the country. From the entrance, it’s a steep 3km (45-minute) hike down into the valley; at the bottom, the river continues through a series of natural swimming holes. The falls are most dramat- ic at their fullest, during the rainy season, though the serene rainforest setting is beautiful any time of year. A 5km dirt road past Hotel Villa Lapas leads to the prima- ry entrance to the falls. Keep an eye out for brightly colored poison-dart frogs as well as the occasional pair of scarlet macaws.
(+506 2645-1001; www.puravidagarden.com; adult/ under 10yr Us$20/10; h 8am-5pm) Just before the village of Bijagual, this private botanical garden offers great vistas of Manantial de Agua Viva cascading down the side of a cliff, and there are some pleasant hiking trails where you might see nesting toucans and other wildlife. The on-site restaurant caters to the Adventure Dining (www.adventure diningcostarica.com) crowds.
At the time of research this place was up for sale, so its future is uncertain.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pura Vida Gardens And Waterfall
320(+506 2645-1001; www.puravidagarden.com; adult/ under 10yr Us$20/10; h 8am-5pm) Just before the village of Bijagual, this private botanical garden offers great vistas of Manantial de Agua Viva cascading down the side of a cliff, and there are some pleasant hiking trails where you might see nesting toucans and other wildlife. The on-site restaurant caters to the Adventure Dining (www.adventure diningcostarica.com) crowds.
At the time of research this place was up for sale, so its future is uncertain.
Gastronomía
Tsunami Sushi JAPANese $$ (+506 2643-3678; www.tsunamisushicr.com; Av Pastor Díaz, Mall Il galeone, 2nd fl; meals Us$11-30; h 5- 10pm sun-thu, to 1am fri; a W ) Reservations are recommended at this sleek and popular sushi spot, one of the best on the central Pa- cific coast. We’re particularly partial to their spicy tuna and ghost rolls, and cucumber martinis. Play your cards right and various specials throughout the week can save you some serious colones.
75 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tsunami Sushi
Tsunami Sushi JAPANese $$ (+506 2643-3678; www.tsunamisushicr.com; Av Pastor Díaz, Mall Il galeone, 2nd fl; meals Us$11-30; h 5- 10pm sun-thu, to 1am fri; a W ) Reservations are recommended at this sleek and popular sushi spot, one of the best on the central Pa- cific coast. We’re particularly partial to their spicy tuna and ghost rolls, and cucumber martinis. Play your cards right and various specials throughout the week can save you some serious colones.
(+506 2643-3226; www.elhicaco.net; Calle Hicaco; mains Us$20-40; h 11am-midnight) This ocean- side spot brims with casual elegance and is regarded as one of the finer dining experi- ences in Jacó. Although the menu is entirely dependent on seasonal offerings, both from the land and the sea, the specialty of the house is seafood, prepared with a variety of sauces highlighted by Costa Rica’s tropical produce. Service can be glacially slow
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Hicaco Seafood
Calle Hicaco(+506 2643-3226; www.elhicaco.net; Calle Hicaco; mains Us$20-40; h 11am-midnight) This ocean- side spot brims with casual elegance and is regarded as one of the finer dining experi- ences in Jacó. Although the menu is entirely dependent on seasonal offerings, both from the land and the sea, the specialty of the house is seafood, prepared with a variety of sauces highlighted by Costa Rica’s tropical produce. Service can be glacially slow