Manuel Antonio, Costa RicaThe very famous Manuel Antonio National Park, where some of the most beautiful Costa Rica beaches are besides Guanacaste has closed its doors during this weekend. Manuel Antonio is the second-most-visited park in Costa Rica, attracting thousands of visitors every year, it is one of the most precious ecological reservations in Costa Rica, providing home to several animal species and plants.

 

Closure order for Manuel Antonio National Park was issued on February 12th, providing 10 full days for the Environment and Energy Ministry to correct a terrible waste water problem that was affecting the beaches nearby, the problem was not solved therefore the park was closed until further notice, the first step to have the Costa Rica biological reserve open will be building a wastewater treatment plant.

 

Administrative personnel of the Manuel Antonio National park claimed that although the problem was identified a year ago, they had not allocated enough money to deal with it, causing the closure of the park.

 

I personally have been at the park twice since I have been living in Costa Rica; it is a splendid ecological reservation, in Costa Rica, probably one of the top three if you ask me. The whole closure is really sad and I certainly hope they can find a way to come up with the money to build the treatment plant soon, otherwise the beautiful “mirador” and the five unique beaches of the area will be out of reach for a long time.

 

According to the park managers admission fees to Manuel Antonio National Park totaled $1.81 million during last year and were used mainly to pay salaries and provide basic services. Again the financial crisis hits Costa Rica.