"The monkeys were the COOLEST part of the whole thing!"
- Hannah, USA
(PRWEB) August 31, 2013
Monkeys are one of the most exotic and entertaining creatures on the planet for tourists coming to Costa Rica. For many people, seeing these primates in their natural habitat is the highlight of their trip. One thing is to be said about Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: There are lots of monkeys.
Manuel Antonio has three of the four species of primates found in Costa Rica: 1) The central American squirrel monkey; 2) The white-headed capuchin monkey; and 3) the mantled howler monkey. The squirrel monkeys (aka ‘titi monkeys’) are small, tawny and cute, traveling in troops of up to 100. They sound like shrill birds when they pass through, and tend to keep their distance. The capuchins are brown with white faces, and are crafty. They are the most likely to steal one’s food—and pose for a shot afterward. The howler monkeys are shy and territorial—and despite their modest size, sound like a cross between a bear and a lion when they howl.
Central American primates live in the trees. Within a healthy, untouched rainforest—the canopy is a vast and open field, with few restrictions to movement. In a populated area, however, roads and buildings remove patches in this field, creating a honeycomb of forest—a ‘biological corridor’ of pathways for the tree-dwellers to follow. The risk is when the biological corridors are broken, and leave inaccessible ‘islands’ of forest.
It becomes a critical responsibility of every property owner in populated areas such as these to maintain the pathways of the biological corridors that cross the property. In Manuel Antonio, non-profit organizations such as the Titi Conservation Alliance and Kids Saving the Rainforest have helped out by creating ‘monkey bridges’ across roads, and planting native species trees when possible to bridge the gaps.
The VP Private Resort, with 5 acres of property, provides a tasty stopover for the monkeys along their biological corridor. With dozens of fruit-bearing plants and trees—such as bananas, mangos, cacao, and palm fruit—this vacation rental in Manuel Antonio is a veritable market of produce for hungry monkeys. Groups staying at the rental villa commonly find their space invaded by these entertaining intruders, providing perfect Kodak moments—and great stories for friends and family back home.
One such group gave visitors an unprecedented close encounter, with more than two dozen playing around on the covered terrace. With nothing but an iPhone to capture the moment, one visitor sat down right in the middle and filmed them as they wrestled around him!
Click HERE to see the VP Monkey Video.
Costa Rica is one of the few places in the world where the ideal vacation elements come together—gorgeous beaches, national parks, cultural warmth, natural beauty, and wildlife. Manuel Antonio is one destination in Costa Rica where it all comes together in concentration. And the VP Private Resort is where the monkeys come to do their business.