As one of the primary sources of income in Costa Rica, the tourism sector takes safety very seriously. In the case of the Quepos and Manuel Antonio community, it is not exempt from this important issue, yet there is an understanding to achieve progress and take steps in favor of the welfare of travelers and their inhabitants.
Here are some safety tips you ought to consider during your visit to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Quepos Municipality announced that they are working on the installation of about 30 security cameras in the Quepos town perimeter, allowing for 24-hour recording of different areas. This project is being carried out with funding and support from the United States Embassy, thanks to one of their video security surveillance programs.
These efforts make a real difference and make people feel safer while strolling around the town. The community acknowledges this change as a step in the right direction.
Important Tips
– Always keep your passport at hand.
– Consider getting travel insurance.
– Keep an eye on your handbags, equipment, and electronics.
– Keep track of your finances if you pay with credit/debit cards.
– Keep the most valuable items in a safe place in the hotel. (Jewelry, cash, souvenirs)
Parking Issues in Manuel Antonio
If you rent a car in Costa Rica, you must know never to leave luggage unattended or visible inside the car. If you visit Manuel Antonio National Park, you can leave things in the car at your own risk, as the parking area is highly surveilled. However, this is not the case if you choose to use the public beach parking lot.
There will be some individuals trying to stop you to offer you a parking spot, but they are completely illegal; they scam travelers into paying for parking that is actually free.
Food Thieves in Manuel Antonio National Park
Everyone who’s visited Manuel Antonio National Park in the past has experienced or knows about this affair. When visiting the national park beaches, there will be food burglars waiting for the minimum distraction to strike.
The wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park has a reputation for targeting travelers’ lunch boxes, snacks, and drinks. Basically, anything they can get their hands on, including cameras, smartphones, and equipment. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), as well as the Quepos Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, has released numerous directives and instructions on what type of products people should avoid bringing into the national park.
A few years back, it was normal to feed wildlife, most of the time with processed food, which is very harmful for the animals eating it. Also, with a terrible impact on their habitat, as they lost fear of people, and to this day approach humans expecting to receive some kind of food in return.
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best places to see wildlife in the country, and even though things are improving since the rules for the National Park are very solid, we must make an effort when visiting a protected area and do our best to reduce the impact of human alteration in the ecosystem, as one small thing could harm a whole network of living beings.
More information about Manuel Antonio National Park regulations.
