Manuel Antonio National Park and “Mono titi” Canopy
We anchored early in the morning after an overnight voyage of 130 nautical miles. Although the morning was overcast, after a while the sun came out and the beach and forest of Manuel Antonio got all its color. This is one of the most diverse national parks in Costa Rica, especially for its size. With barely 1800 hectares, this tropical rain forest hosts over 380 species of birds, and is known for its great population of mammals.
The Zodiacs transferred the early zip-liners onto shore, those who had signed up for a pure adrenaline experience in the canopy of a tropical forest private reserve. While zipping from platform to platform hung from their harnesses, the guests had a chance to appreciate the forest with the eye of a hawk, passing through tree tops and sometimes over them as well. One of the highlights was a couple of fiery-billed aracaries, an endemic species of toucan in Costa Rica.
In the afternoon, the guests were able to enjoy the richness of Manuel Antonio, after wet-landing in white sand beaches. The lush tropical moist forest is home to white-throated capuchin monkeys and sloths among others. One group decided to exercise in the “tropical stair master”, a more strenuous walk in the forest, while others decided to explore the sloth valley trail. Soon we found tracks of a unique kind of raccoon, the crab-eating one, a particular species with a very specialized diet. And later we got to see it roaming on the sand in the understory of the forest. We also found a Central American agouti picking up large seeds while a troop of white throated monkeys passed over our heads. Walking deeper in the sloth valley trail we found sac-winged bats, pacific basilisks and the famous two toed and three toed sloths.
Right before returning to the ship, dull-mantled howler monkeys called our attention, and made us think we had very little room to improve a day of natural sightings like the one we had today. Back on the ship we had our farewell toast with our Captain for the great week we had in the Sea Voyager.
We anchored early in the morning after an overnight voyage of 130 nautical miles. Although the morning was overcast, after a while the sun came out and the beach and forest of Manuel Antonio got all its color. This is one of the most diverse national parks in Costa Rica, especially for its size. With barely 1800 hectares, this tropical rain forest hosts over 380 species of birds, and is known for its great population of mammals.
The Zodiacs transferred the early zip-liners onto shore, those who had signed up for a pure adrenaline experience in the canopy of a tropical forest private reserve. While zipping from platform to platform hung from their harnesses, the guests had a chance to appreciate the forest with the eye of a hawk, passing through tree tops and sometimes over them as well. One of the highlights was a couple of fiery-billed aracaries, an endemic species of toucan in Costa Rica.
In the afternoon, the guests were able to enjoy the richness of Manuel Antonio, after wet-landing in white sand beaches. The lush tropical moist forest is home to white-throated capuchin monkeys and sloths among others. One group decided to exercise in the “tropical stair master”, a more strenuous walk in the forest, while others decided to explore the sloth valley trail. Soon we found tracks of a unique kind of raccoon, the crab-eating one, a particular species with a very specialized diet. And later we got to see it roaming on the sand in the understory of the forest. We also found a Central American agouti picking up large seeds while a troop of white throated monkeys passed over our heads. Walking deeper in the sloth valley trail we found sac-winged bats, pacific basilisks and the famous two toed and three toed sloths.
Right before returning to the ship, dull-mantled howler monkeys called our attention, and made us think we had very little room to improve a day of natural sightings like the one we had today. Back on the ship we had our farewell toast with our Captain for the great week we had in the Sea Voyager.
