The Manuel Antonio Nature Park is part of a 25-acre private wildlife refuge and protected corridor with three (3) primary nature exhibits, including the “Turtle Ponds”, and several user-friendly guided Nature Interpretive jungle trails, all conveniently located across from Si Como No Resort & Spa.

The Nature Park features a unique Butterfly Atrium and Amphibian Botanical Gardens, including a popular guided “Jungle Night Walk Tour”, plus one-of-kind Reptile Lagoons with Crocodiles, Caymans and Turtle habitats. The refuge includes a variety of Flora and Fauna, including a medicinal garden and natural habitats for three species of primates and variety of bird species.

The primary mission of the project is to help conserve biodiversity by informing visitors of the importance of appreciating and in turn protecting our precious natural resources.

The guided tours are in English and Spanish. Comfortable shoes & binoculars are
recommended. Children under 6 are free with discounts for children 6 to 12.

The six (6) tours offered are:

1) The Butterfly Botanical Gardens

2) The Reptile Lagoons

3) The Butterfly Botanical Garden and Reptile lagoons

4) Combination Exhibits and Nature Interpretive Walk

5) Nocturnal Guided Jungle Walk and Tropical Aquatic Garden Tour

6) The Si Como No Gardens and Wildlife Refuge Birding Tour

1-BUTTERFLY BOTANICAL GARDENS TOUR

The Manuel Antonio Nature Park Butterfly Garden exhibit houses what is considered to be one of the most uniquely designed butterfly exhibits in Costa Rica.
The 12 – sided multi level walkway runs the perimeter of the atrium where visitors can see a variety of local butterfly species and their host plants plus other examples in an insect exhibit. Visitors can observe all four stages of metamorphosis (egg, larvae, chrysalis and adult emergence) and witness when butterflies first open their wings and take flight.

2-REPTILE EXHIBIT

The reptile lagoon exhibit is a “zoological” refuge hosting at least 9 species of reptiles in permanent exhibition. Its purpose is to share the diversity and importance of specific Fauna found in Costa Rica. The lagoons are designed to create a balanced environment for turtles, crocodiles, caimans and lizards. The exhibit features a suspended walkway that provides a birds eye view of the reptile habitats. Qualified Nature Guides share their knowledge about various biological aspects, including ecology and conservation values. This unique aerial exhibit is the first of its kind in Costa Rica.

3-BUTTERFLY BOTANICAL GARDEN AND REPTILE LAGOONS

In this combine guided tour you will learn and see the butterfly’s metamorphosis and visit the reptile lagoons where you will observe crocodiles, caimans, lizards and fresh water turtle reproduction habitats.

4-COMBINATION NATURE EXHIBITS AND GUIDED NATURE WALK

In this combination tour, you’ll hike through the rain forest along 1500 meters of
easy access trails, and visits the exhibitions with an experienced nature guide. They will help you locate and identify the vast variety of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. You’ll have the chance to spot Howler, Cara Blanca and Tití monkeys, plus Agutis as well as the Dart Frogs (Dendrobates auratus), any other jungle inhabitants learning about their diet, habits, and many more aspects of the species in the Wildlife Refuge. You’ll also visit the Butterfly Botanical Garden Exhibit where
you will find an average of 15 species of butterflies inside a uniquely designed atrium garden. The Reptile Lagoon Exhibit features crocodiles, caimans and a variety of fresh water Turtles. The Tropical Aquatic Garden Exhibit is where you’ll find a variety of species of Frogs and Toads in their natural habitat. Other Nature Park features include participating in our sustainable programs (Reforestations, Medicinal Plant Gardens and the process of organic compost and production of natural repellents.

5-Nocturnal Jungle Walk and Tropical Aquatic Gardens

This unique Jungle Walk is 2 hours guided adventure where you will have the opportunity to be part of one of the most interesting and important ecosystems of Costa Rica, the Nocturnal Tropical Wet Forest. You will have the experience to be in contact with many nocturnal inhabitants in our Wildlife Refuge, like Kinkajou (Potos flavus) Armadillo (Cabassous centralis), or the chance to see one of the most interesting reptiles … Snakes! With more than 30 identified species, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about their scientific descriptions, with enough data to know how dangerous they may be and their natural history. Also you’ll have the opportunity to visit our Tropical Aquatic Gardens where you’ll find a variety of species of Frogs and Toads. One of the most popular, the Red Eyed Tree Frog (agalychnis callidryas), or the Glass Frogs (Cochranella granulosa) and
Teratohyla pulverata), and the Wet Forest Toad (Incilius aucoinae), are all endemic species of Costa Rica.

6-THE SI COMO NO GARDENS AND WILDLIFE REFUGE BIRDING TOUR

The birding tour is a great opportunity to watch some of the greatest Neotropical birds of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific, including Motmots, Euphonias, Antbirds, and Tanagers, conveniently located in Manuel Antonio. The two-hour guided tour starts at 6:00 a.m. within Si Como No’s botanical gardens identifying a variety of hummingbirds, Euphonias and Tanagers, and during the second hour visiting the adjacent Wildlife Refuge. There are opportunities for sightings of the Blue crowned Manakin, Slaty-tailed Trogon, and Orange billed Sparrow. The variety of birds sightings range from 35 to 55 species throughout the year.