This was my first time to CR. I was looking forward to visiting the Caribbean coast but unfortunately couldn't make it and Manuel Antonio seemed highly recommended on a lot of travel blogs; as it was close to San Jose I decided to make the trip there instead.
I was expecting pristine white sand, clear water, free from rubbish.... sadly this wasn't the case. However, I am referring to the public beach that is just before entering the national park, the beach within the park may be different.
On so many travel blogs Manuel Antonio was hyped up to be a paradise.
Unfortunately there was a lot of vendors (fair enough people need to make a living), but also a lot of discarded coconuts (that people drink from), a lot of sun chairs and umbrellas making it hard to find space for just a towel, the sand seemed dirty.
Maybe I'm biased because I come from a very beachy country so have higher expectations. Also I'd just come from Hollywood beach in Miami and I much preferred Miami.
It is also VERY expensive in Manuel Antonio, same prices you'd pay in Miami for meals and drinks. I was staying in a hostel and was hoping to cook a few nights but there is only 1 very small grocery store within walking distance that doesn't sell meat, bread or fresh fruit n veg (there is some veg but extremely poor quality). It's more like a convenience store.
I really wanted to fall in love with Manuel Antonio... maybe the blogs I read where written by people who didn't grow up on the beach so maybe I have higher expectations or they were written a couple years ago and things have changed ..... I don't know. I'm just a bit sad I wasn't impressed.
There seems to be a lot of Manuel Antonio die hard fans online... I bet these people have money and are staying in resorts. This is not a very good backpacker / boho / beach bum beach.
Having said that, the national park beaches may be amazing, I just didn't want to pay $16 to enter and be disappointed.
See my photos for a better description.