Ones of the beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park
“Thanks to its dazzling variety of sights: tropical rainforest, beaches and rocky headlands. Wildlife--including sloths, iguanas and squirrel monkeys--is abundant in the rainforest.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (PRWEB) September 14, 2011
On August 29th 2011, Forbes.com placed Costa Rica’s award winning Manuel Antonio National Park in its top twelve of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Located on the stunning Central Pacific Costa Rica’s smallest national park is the most visited by international tourists, drawn to the delights of this beautiful area. A combination of white sandy beaches, rainforest, vibrant flora and fauna, an abundance of eco adventure tours, as well as exclusive Escape Villas Costa Rica vacation home rentals has ensured that Manuel Antonio tops many lists as a dream beach and sun vacation destination.
Out of a total of 7000 national parks around the world, Manuel Antonio has been awarded this prestigious accolade shared with Mount Fiji and the Serengeti National Park. Jane Levere, contributor for Forbes.com, praised Manuel Antonio National Park, “Thanks to its dazzling variety of sights: tropical rainforest, beaches and rocky headlands. Wildlife--including sloths, iguanas and squirrel monkeys--is abundant in the rainforest. Sports enthusiasts can indulge in everything from snorkeling and sea kayaking to horseback riding.”
In the next three years, the Conservation Area for the Central Pacific (ACOPAC) will make improvements to Manuel Antonio National Park’s accessibility and its facilities. Due to Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism policy, visitation to Manuel Antonio National Park is controlled to 1000 visitors a day. Government officials are quick to point out that these improvements will only serve to enhance visitors’ experience, since restricted visitation prevents them from attracting more tourists in a single day.
Costa Rica National Park Most Visited By International Tourists
In the first 6 months of 2011, Manuel Antonio National Park received 155,820 visitors. Of that, 72.3%, a total of 112,679 were international tourists. It is evident that the park, with it’s continued efforts in improving the experience of it’s guests, consistently draws and pleases the international tourist crowd visiting Costa Rica. It is interesting to note that Manuel Antonio was also awarded the top beach and sun vacation destination via a tourism survey on TripAdvisor.com in 2010—this is clear indication that this particular region of Costa Rica is a true destination within Costa Rica.
Improvements to Enhance Manuel Antonio National Park Visitor Experience
“We are not interested in increasing visitation to Manuel Antonio National Park, we want to enhance visitor experience,” explained Carlos Vinicio Cordero Valverde, Regional Director, ACOPAC, SINAC-MINAET, as he discussed the future improvements to the award-winning National Park. Finances received from a Climate Change and Rainforest Conservation fund will support future improvements, which will include a suspended footpath, a visitors’ center, disability access, new trails, additional training for park rangers, and a museum, among other facility updates. Some of these improvements will be implemented in time for Manuel Antonio National Park’s40th anniversary, which will take place in November 2012.
Manuel Antonio National Park continues to hit the headlines for its success as one of Costa Rica’s most popular beach and sun vacation destinations.
Costa Rica Vacation Rentals in Manuel Antonio
Operating for over ten years, it comes as no surprise to Escape Villas, the Costa Rica vacation rentals management company, that Manuel Antonio has received another important recognition on worldwide scale.
“Manuel Antonio is truly a unique paradise and our Costa Rica villas and excellent concierge and private chef services make this the perfect holiday destination,” Sara Hopkins, spokesperson for Escape Villas, explained.
Escape Villas also organizes eco tours to the beautiful sites of Manuel Antonio. With kayaking, dolphin watching, canopy tours and sunset sailing, it’s difficult to imagine a more fitting award for one of the best beach holiday destinations in the world.
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