Over the past ten years, Costa Rica real estate has become very popular, especially for buyers from the US and Canada. People flock to the country to enjoy the warm sun, long stretches of beach, and tropical mountains. Costa Rica is known for its diverse plant and animal life, with one in every 20 species of animals and plants in the world taking up residence here.
It goes without saying that Costa Rican beaches are popular. There are not many places in the world where people can stay by the shoreline and view nearby mountains. Manuel Antonio is considered one of the most exclusive areas of the country. What began as a small village with a lovely national park became more popular as tourists discovered the area.
Although Manuel Antonio National Park encompasses just 4,014 acres, it features beaches, offshore islands, wildlife, and a rainforest with walking trails. It is not uncommon to see a variety of monkeys, some sloths, and coatimundis here. If visitors look hard, they may even find a beautiful scarlet macaw. More than 150,000 people visit this park each year and the high volume caused the Park Service to begin limiting visitors to 600 daily.
When not visiting the park or relaxing on the beach, tourists and residents enjoy SCUBA diving, surfing, snorkeling, and sport fishing. Rafting on the Naranjo or Savegre River is a great way to spend a day in the gorgeous weather. Early morning or evening hours are the perfect times for a horseback ride. Riders travel to one of the pristine waterfalls like Tocori and enjoy the relaxing sights and sounds.
At night, there is plenty to do and see in Manuel Antonio. Popular restaurants include Bogart's, which features Lebanese cuisine, and multiple seafood establishments such as Claro Que Si and Marlintinis. There are even vegetarian dining options like Mira Olas. After dinner, the Byblos Resort located on the road to the park features a lively casino for those who enjoy gambling. An on-site sports bar allows patrons to catch up on the latest scores.
When real estate in Manuel Antonio is purchased as a vacation property, retirement residence, or to rent to tourists, the investment is a smart move. There is so much to experience here, all of it offered in an environment that continues to amaze. Sometimes, it will be awe-inspiring enough just to sit in a chair and take it all in because this really is paradise.
