Nature Walk Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Though I consider Manuel Antonio quite a touristy area, it's an incredible place to see all sorts of wildlife, which is probably why it's so popular. Admittedly, I have a preference towards plants, fungi, insects and spiders, but I saw quite a number of other creatures too, including spider monkeys, sloths, and reptiles. 

Before heading out to the National Park, I managed to pop by the Spanish school where they were making traditional Costa Rican fare, which was basically corn meal and veggies wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. It was precisely what I needed before heading out on a little jaunt through the park. 

One of the local ladies taught the class how to make some traditional Costa Rican fare. 

One of the local ladies taught the class how to make some traditional Costa Rican fare. 

A damselfly sits on top of a succulent in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

A damselfly sits on top of a succulent in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

brown-butterfly-costa-rica.jpg
Spider monkeys screaming from the trees. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Spider monkeys screaming from the trees. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

A gorgeous Harlequin Beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) popped up on the school house and WOWβ€”to see one up close was a thrill!

A gorgeous Harlequin Beetle (Acrocinus longimanus) popped up on the school house and WOWβ€”to see one up close was a thrill!

harlequin-beetle-costa-rica.jpg
Looking in the eyes of a Harlequin beetle (Acrocinus longimanus). Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Looking in the eyes of a Harlequin beetle (Acrocinus longimanus). Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Arrow-shaped Orb-weaver Spider (Microthena brevipes

Arrow-shaped Orb-weaver Spider (Microthena brevipes

arrowhead-spider-straight-costa-rica.jpg
arrowhead-spider-costa-rica.jpg
arrowhead-spider-spinning-web.jpg
arrowhead-spider-costa-rica.jpg
arrowhead-spider-spinning-web.jpg
Spiny Orb Weaver Spider (Gasteracantha cancriformis) looks like an ancient shield. 

Spiny Orb Weaver Spider (Gasteracantha cancriformis) looks like an ancient shield. 

A black and yellow banded jumping spider, species unknown. If you have a clue as to what it isβ€”please let me know!

A black and yellow banded jumping spider, species unknown. If you have a clue as to what it isβ€”please let me know!

A jumping spider waits for his preyβ€”and I unexpectedly and excitedly get the shot of him pouncing on his prey! 

A jumping spider waits for his preyβ€”and I unexpectedly and excitedly get the shot of him pouncing on his prey! 

jumping-spider-prey-costa-rica.jpg
jumping-spider-grabs-prey.jpg
Burp!!! The jumping spider successfully caught a fly in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Burp!!! The jumping spider successfully caught a fly in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

The delicate egg of a lacewing larvae on a leaf. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

The delicate egg of a lacewing larvae on a leaf. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

dew-drop-on-grass-costa-rica.jpg
leaf-cutter-ants-costa-rica.jpg
leaf-cutter-ants-costa-rica.jpg
Leaf cutter ants can carry a leaf that is 50 times its own body weight. These leaves are then processed to grow fungus gardens that feed the entire colony. 

Leaf cutter ants can carry a leaf that is 50 times its own body weight. These leaves are then processed to grow fungus gardens that feed the entire colony. 

rainbow-damselfly.jpg
damselfly-Costa-Rica.jpg
blue-damselfly-close-up.jpg
A host of damselflies in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

A host of damselflies in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

running-lizard-costa-rica.jpg
orb-weaver-Costa-Rica.jpg
A crab spider in the family Thomisidae on a heliconia makes its move on a honeybee. I sat for at least a half hour and saw the spider catch two different insects, which is quite a successful day!

A crab spider in the family Thomisidae on a heliconia makes its move on a honeybee. I sat for at least a half hour and saw the spider catch two different insects, which is quite a successful day!

Crab-spider-Thomisidae-Costa-Rica.jpg
Crab-Spider-Costa-Rica.jpg
Jumping spider on a heliconia

Jumping spider on a heliconia

Leaf-footed bug (Hypselonotus atratus) on leaf. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Leaf-footed bug (Hypselonotus atratus) on leaf. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Stink bug, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Stink bug, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

A hairstreak takes a rest on a heliconia. 

A hairstreak takes a rest on a heliconia. 

honeybee-red-flower-Costa-Rica.jpg
A colorfully-marked cockroach. 

A colorfully-marked cockroach. 

Bats on a wall. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Bats on a wall. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Paper wasp in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

Paper wasp in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. 

costa-rica-crab.jpg
Another wasp nest. 

Another wasp nest. 

crab-up-close-costa-rica.jpg
An iguana looks on as I get closer to it. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

An iguana looks on as I get closer to it. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.

crab-manuel-antonio-beach.jpg
crab-on-stones-costa-rica.jpg
snail-shell-costa-rica.jpg