Local Essential
ABOUT MANUEL ANTONIO
Manuel Antonio is located in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, around 3h driving from the city San José. This area is one of the most visited in the country, because of the main attraction The Manuel Antonio National Park.
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The main Manuel Antonio beach—Playa Espadilla—is spectacular, and can be accessed at either the north or south end off the main road. The south area is the most popular at the entrance to the National Park with restaurants, shops, and souvenir stands.
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Just 15min driving from Manuel Antonio, is Quepos Town, here you can find souvenirs, facilities as banks, ATM, grocery stores and medical centers.
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THE FARMERS MARKET
Throughout the year, a Farmers’ Market is held in Quepos along the waterfront. You’ll find an abundance of fresh, local produce for at good prices. You’ll also find free-range eggs, cheese, and freshly-baked breads and cakes.
Farmers set up every Friday mid-afternoon and sell their products until noon on Saturday.
For the full experience, I recommend going Saturday morning when the town is teeming with activity. It's a great photo op, too!
Make sure you get there before noon!
RESTAURANTS IN MANUEL ANTONIO
-Ronny´s Place: located in the middle of a 90 acres farm, where restaurant is the only building, you can find Restaurante y Mirador Mi Lugar (Ronny´s Place), a beautiful “rancho” at farm´s highest mountain peak, allowing for a magnificent view of a 2 bay private beach and horizon.
This privileged location, make this place the only restaurant in town where you can see the sunset 365 days
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-El Arado: authentic Costa Rican cuisine dishes
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-El Lagarto: this restaurant features high quality meats from animals raised with specialized care in the foothills of Volcan Arénal in Costa Rica. Our cows are given individual attention - assuring healthy lifestyles and clean pastures for grazing. They are raised naturally and are free of hormones, chemicals, and antibiotics.
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-Falafel Bar: israeli cuisine
-Café Milagro / El Patio de Café Milagro: this is a Manuel Antonio restaurant featuring delightful tropical cuisine and great roasted coffee.
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-Emilios Café; great restaurant overlooking spectacular views of the Manuel Antonio beach and bay. Emilio's Cafe has a unique atmosphere, breath taking views, delicious desserts, perfect option for a delicious breakfast, a healthy and tasty lunch, and a romantic dinner.
It is located on just off the corner of the the Plaza Vista shopping plaza
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-Quepos at the Marina Pez Vela
-Gabriella´s Steak - Sea food and Pasta
-Pesca - Sea food
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-Baldi Fresh: Burgers, sea food and cocktails at the beach
ABOUT BAHIA BALLENA
Bahia Ballena is the are where you will be getting many pretty beaches and many eco-touristic activities.
Bahia Ballena is a wide geographical area extending from Dominical Beach, to Playa Tortuga and the mouth of Rio Térraba, this area includes the entire coast of Ballena Marine National Park.
Ballena Bay includes several beaches: Dominical, Dominicalito, Hermosa, Playa Uvita, Playa Chaman Playa Piñuelas and Playa Ventanas, one of the most popular because has some amazing caves.
Playa Uvita has the peculiar characteristic that at low tide, many natural pools are revealed among the natural rock formations, where you can observe many species of marine life, such as colorful fish, mollusks, star fish, birds and many others.
Playa Uvita is also inside the conservation area of the Ballena National Park, therefore industrial fishing, hunting, or extraction of any type of marine wildlife is prohibited.
Here you will see whales in two different seasons during the year and Dolphins during the all year.
This zone has many pretty waterfalls to visit.
Definitely is a place to enjoy your vacations
RESTAURANTS IN BAHIA BALLENA & DOMINICAL
- Sibu: Organic coffee and chocolate from Costa Rica. Espresso based specialties and craft beers, home made pastries
- El Ancla: Seafood Restaurant, Cocktails
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- Maracuyá: Street Food and Cocktail Bar. The menu offers “Street Food”, which means a gourmet version of fast food served in food trucks and kiosks all over the world. There is an exhibition of irresistible tarts, French desserts and a great variety of wines and cocktails.
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-El Patio: located in Playa Linda, healthy food, organic ingredients, drinks with good vibes !
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-Fuego Brew Co: amazing craft beer, cocktails, wine and food!
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