Tag Archives: white face capuchin monkeys

View from Unit 7 at Manuel Antonio Estates

Manuel Antonio Estates: Short-Term Rental

How did we end up living with the monkeys at Manuel Antonio Estates?  Well, Sugar Shack was struck by lighting (a story we will share once the boat is repaired) and had to be hauled out. Once she was hauled out, we became homeless because Marina Pez Vela does not allow live aboards on the yard.

The marina arranged a room for us at the Best Western Kamuk at a discounted rate for the first couple of nights.  This was great for the weekend, as they were close to the marina.  But at $68 per night , for 3 months, it would break the already broken bank.

The first three nights we stayed in a small room over a crowded street, but the last night we moved to the top floor which notably had a great view of the beach.

View from Best Western Kamuk Hotel

View from Best Western Kamuk Hotel

The marina connected us with real estate guru, Alvin who showed us a few short term rental properties.  We ended up at Manuel Antonio Estates which offered  AC, wifi, a pool, and a full kitchen. Remarkably, most apartments don’t have ovens.  I have grand plans of baking for our boat workers so an oven was a must have.

We negotiated a lower rate which included all of the utilities, maid service twice a week, and moved in the next day.

Nestled in the trees are 9 apartments overlooking a pool and the dense foliage below.  Once you pass the guard gate, you walk up a hill, past the Rain Drop Spa (top left), to the main reception area (top right).

Then you climb up another hill to the apartment units (2nd row, left) which overlooks the pool.  We have lots of wildlife, including iguanas, geckos, monkeys, toucans, and tons of birds.

Manuel Antonio Estates

Manuel Antonio Estates

The hike up the hill in the heat often requires a dip in the pool to cool off.  With this in mind, it is not a hardship to get home.

Crazy Neighbors

The apartments are located near the Manuel Antonio Park and are nestled in the trees.  So, we have lots of wildlife around.  We’ve seen scarlet macaws fly by and one toucan sighting.  Tons of other birds, lizards, geckos, iguanas, Capuchin monkey family, squirrel monkey family, and even a few dogs and cats.

We get visitors around sunset – they are a playful bunch of monkeys.  Crawling, leaping, jumping all over the place.  The monkeys are so curious, they kept peeking over the roof and hanging from the rain gutters to look at us.  Generally speaking, they are more afraid of us then we are of them.  These are Capuchin monkeys but we also get squirrel monkey family as well.

White Faced Capuchin Monkeys

White Faced Capuchin Monkeys

Waterfall Hike on Property

There is a pretty challenging hike to a small waterfall on the property. The first 1.5 miles is up and down many hills on a paved road.  At the end of the road, make a left at the dirt pile, then right past the tree onto a “water runoff.”  The little, muddy trail down only takes about 30 minutes and you are rewarded with beautiful views, a waterfall, and a refreshing body of water.

Manuel Antonio Estates Cascadas

Manuel Antonio Estates Cascadas

Movers and Shakers

We have moved around a lot at Manuel Antonio Estates.  We started in unit 8 which is on the top floor.  After about 5 weeks we had to move to unit 5.  The top units have a better view, more ventilation and direct sun so they can rent them easier than the other units.  However, we found unit 5 to be just as fabulous.  We stayed in this 2nd unit for about a month when we decided we wanted to move to unit 2.  We had some “unusual” neighbors who smoked a lot on their patio and we wanted to move further away (plus unit 2 had a bigger couch).  As Manuel Antonio Estates busy season came to an end more units opened up.  So, after about a month we were offered unit 7 which is back on the top floor.  Sweet.  Great views from here with a cool breeze.

View from Unit 7 at Manuel Antonio Estates

View from Unit 7 at Manuel Antonio Estates

They were doing maintenance on the pool which is why it is only 1/2 full but normally it is a fabulous place to cool off.

We love our team at Manuel Antonio Estates!  Dorit is an amazing property manager handling everything from repairs, rental cars, tours, and local advice.  Giselle and Reina keep all the apartments clean and comfortable and Tariq runs a smooth operation.  Thank all for making us feel welcome and at home!

Paco and Luna Crocs at Croc's Casino and Beach Resort

Croc’s, Monkeys and Monica

Matt’s mom, Monica came to visit us in Costa Rica and stayed at the very nice Croc’s Casino Beach Resort around the bay from us.  It was easier for her to stay on land as it’s not easy to get on and off our boat and we had no easy way to get her on and off the dinghy from shore.  Croc’s offers creature comforts that we don’t have, a pool, casino, spa, and access to many land-based tours.  As a result, we all took advantage of the beautiful pool and some good eateries at the resort.

Croc's Casino Beach Resort Pool

Croc’s Casino Beach Resort Pool

Croc’s has taken in two rescued crocodiles from the wild and has a team of professionals caring for them.  Paco and Luna were out sunning themselves regularly.

Paco and Luna Crocs at Croc's Casino and Beach Resort

Paco and Luna Crocs at Croc’s Casino and Beach Resort

Croc’s is located at Jaco Beach (pronounced Haco) and there are no anchorages in this bay.  So, we anchored Sugar Shack at Bahia Herradura, the next bay over.  It is a quick 8-minute cab ride or 30-minute bus ride to Croc’s.  The only problem is that the water taxi that we take to get from our boat to shore only runs until 1730 at night so we cannot stay ashore for dinner, drinks or evening activities as we would have no way to get back to the boat.  In essence, a minor setback.

Monkey Mangrove Tour

After we spent a day at the pool, we decided to take a Monkey Mangrove Tour.  Our tour guide, Crazy Alex was absolutely AMAZING!   He was able to replicate all of the bird calls, monkey sounds and lizard noises.  Half the time you didn’t know if it was him or the real animal he was so good.  He educated us on all of the flora, fauna, river, and islands.  It was a constant chatter of humor, information, and wildlife.

Below is a photo of Crazy Alex along with his favorite American Pigmy King Fisher and a Yellow Belly Grey Kiskadine.

Monkey Mangrove Tour with Crazy Alex

Monkey Mangrove Tour with Crazy Alex

He guided us along the Paquita river which consisted of 14k acres of mangroves. The river was pretty narrow and covered with a canopy of trees.  The river banks were full of wildlife and birds.

Birds, Birds, and More Birds

Image below: Top Row: 2 images of river, and a shot of a Tiger Heron.  Middle Row: Crazy Alex’s favorite bird an American Pigmy Kingfisher, a Yellow Belly Grey Kiskadee (part of the fry catcher family) and a shy iguana.  Bottom Row: Three varieties of ginger flowers.

River and Bird Wildlife

River and Bird Wildlife

Jesus Christ Lizard

We saw several Jesus Christ Lizards that can walk on water for over 60’.  They are super funny to see scramble across the water and actually look like prehistoric dinosaurs.

Jesus Christ Lizard

Jesus Christ Lizard

Monkeys Galore

The river spilled out onto a bay surrounded by mangroves.  Crazy Alex nestled the boat inside a nook within the mangrove and we were instantly blessed with 3-4 white face Capuchin monkey family.  Of course, they all had names and came when Crazy Alex called out to them. They were delightful and so sweet.

White Face Capuchin Monkeys

White Face Capuchin Monkeys

We each had an opportunity to be a human throne for the monkeys where they jumped on our heads and at banana from our hand.  They were remarkably gentle.  This particular family has claimed about 2 hectares of territory and protect it fiercely.  They drink water by dipping their tail into the bay.  Since it is brackish water, the salt falls off their tail while the fresh water clings to their hair.

Who is playing with who?

Who is playing with who?

Sloth

We saw one 3 toed sloth ashore.  The photo did not come out too well, but Crazy Alex told us all about them.  They have 3 stomachs (along with 3 toes), eat 200 grams of leaves per day (110 calories) and only come down from the trees once a week to do “their business.”

The males (have a black stripe down their back) emit a strange smell and holler to attract females during mating season which can last up to 48 hours.  The females decide when to become pregnant and they determine the sex.

Lunch at Jaco

It was a spectacular tour, full of laughter, information, and wildlife.  We loved it.  Afterwards, we walked around the town of Jaco and ended up having a really delicious lunch at Rugala.

Jaco village and lunch at Rugula

Jaco village and lunch at Rugula

Shoe Surgeryy

When we got back to the boat, Matt had to do some surgery on our shoes.  We both wear Reef’s and for some reason, the center fabric keeps pulling up so Matt has to out a piece of dynema there to hold them together.  very annoying and poor quality!

ANIMALS SPOTTED:

  • 3 Toed Sloth
  • White Face Capuchin Monkey
  • Jesus Christ Lizard
  • American Pigmy Kingfisher
  • Yellow Belly Grey Kiskadee
  • Iguana
  • Tiger Herron
  • Green Herron