This area includes the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and the crown jewel of the National Parks, Manuel Antonio. This area is wetter and the rainforest goes all the way to the beach in many areas. The drive from San Jose crosses the mountains and drops to the coast just one hour north of Manuel Antonio near Jaco Beach where the surf is always up. There are several very beautiful small upscale resorts in Manuel Antonio, and the nearby village of Quepos has great nightlife and marine charters. On the tip of the Nicoya, one of our favorite places, Tango Mar, can be reached by air from San Jose or the ferry from Puntarenas is quite efficient.

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• Find a hotel on the central pacific coast
  
• The beaches.
  
• 3 - Cabo Blanco Reserve
  5 - Curu National Wildlife Refuge
  6 - Carara Biological Refuge
  11 - Manuel Antonio National Park
• Find Other National Parks

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