A timeline of Manuel Antonio
From the indigenous Quepoa people to one of the world's most beloved national parks — trace the history of Manuel Antonio, and Costa Rica's remarkable journey to becoming a global conservation leader.
The Quepoa People
Long before Europeans arrived, the Quepoa — a Boruca-related indigenous people — lived along this stretch of Pacific coast. They fished its waters, gathered from the forest, and left behind pottery and stone artifacts that still surface in the region today. The town of Quepos carries their name.
Europeans Reach the Coast
On his fourth voyage, Christopher Columbus reached the Caribbean coast of what would become Costa Rica — the 'Rich Coast.' Spanish exploration soon spread across the territory, and the Pacific south, including the Quepos area, was gradually drawn into the colonial world.
Colonial Era & Decline
Spanish settlement, disease, and displacement devastated the Quepoa population. The region remained sparsely settled for centuries, its rainforests largely left to grow wild while Costa Rica developed slowly as one of the empire's poorer provinces.
Costa Rica Abolishes Its Army
Following a brief civil war, Costa Rica abolished its military and redirected national resources toward education, health, and — over time — the environment. This decision laid the cultural foundation for the country's future as a global conservation leader.
The Forestry Law
Costa Rica passed its landmark Forestry Law, creating the legal framework for a national park system. For the first time, the state had the tools to set aside and protect wild lands from logging and development.
Santa Rosa: The First National Park
Santa Rosa became Costa Rica's first official national park, igniting a conservation movement that would protect roughly a quarter of the country's land in the decades to follow — one of the highest proportions on Earth.
Manuel Antonio Is Established
After determined local advocacy to stop foreign developers from privatizing the beaches, Manuel Antonio National Park was created. At just 1,983 hectares of land it is one of the country's smallest parks — yet it protects an extraordinary concentration of life along its turquoise coves.
Ecotourism Takes Root
As Costa Rica branded itself a green destination, Manuel Antonio became its showcase. Trails, ranger stations, and visitor limits balanced a growing flood of travelers eager to see sloths, monkeys, and the meeting of jungle and sea.
Saving the Squirrel Monkey
The endangered Central American squirrel monkey (mono tití) became a symbol of the park's conservation work. Wildlife corridors, canopy bridges, and habitat protection helped stabilize populations of this and many other vulnerable species.
A Living Legacy
Now Costa Rica's most visited national park, Manuel Antonio remains a global model for balancing tourism with preservation. Daily visitor caps and closure days give the forest time to breathe — proof that protection and wonder can thrive together.