Manuel Antonio Park is our destination this morning and everyone is excited to see wildlife. Our guide is fabulous and terrific with kids. Mornings are slightly cooler though still pretty humid. We got the gang up early for breakfast in order to meet the bus at 9. The monkeys were the biggest thrill as you can imagine. We learned that white faced monkeys are the meanest. They eat other animals and will steal food from people. For many years, they stole food from backpacks at the beach until research found they had developed diabetes and high cholesterol, shortening their lives by 10 yrs. Now no food is permitted in the park. Howler monkeys are so loud and spider monkeys are small and cute.
We walked through the forest into the mangroves then by the ocean to the prettiest beach in Costa Rica where the kids played and the guide went in search of a sprouted coconut for Zoe. When a coconut sprouts, it absorbs the water and creates a spongy center, which is high in nutrients. Eventually it grows roots into the soil below.
Fruit and drinks were served to us in a huge cage, to keep the monkeys out. Then we headed back out and by then it was very hot and humid. The kids had chilled coconuts from a street vendor and we were driven back to the hotel.
We ventured out for dinner, getting a ride from the hotel shuttle and walking half a mile which the concierge and bus driver told us was too far for the kids, but they did fine. Peruvian food was quite good and we then took uber back for less than $5.
This is considered the green season and it is much less crowded than Dec- March when you have to book a year in advance. The hotel is quiet with only a few tables occupied at meals, and we have the pools to ourselves. It’s apparently not as humid during the tourist season but the temperatures can be in the low 90’s. I think not having the crowds is a huge plus especially since we have so many kids and are not quiet! Every restaurant we have gone to has been empty.