Greetings from Puriscal Santiago, Costa Rica. Laura, a female friend and emigre of this beautiful country, joined me and my son, Paris, for a 11-day getaway. It’s a post Rutgers University graduation gift for him. We just finished a three-day excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park, just south of Quepos, Puntarenas on the Pacific Coast. Temperatures reached a comfortable mid-80s for all three days. Water temperature tip-toed near a paradise-like 82 degrees. Yes, I’m rubbing in our life of leisure like sun tan lotion or SPF 50 skin care product. (Not sorry). Anyway, my son, environmentalist, budding naturalist, artist, feminist, farmer, musician (bassist for Philly-based band “A Country Western”) and photographer, eventually deserted us and escaped alone into Manuel Antonio National Park. While Laura shared a three-hour walk through a portion of Manuel Antonio, Paris spent seven. He even enjoyed a late-day downpour in the rainforest. His camera captured thousands of photos from this beautiful nation. Many will be loaded onto his Instagram account (@mossandmetalgirl). He shares these on what’s been an incredible vacation and celebration. (Finally, Happy Birthday to my daughter, Leah. She turned 40 while we were away. She exists as an amazing woman, mother, wife, sister, daughter, autism advocate, and human). L. A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian. com.
https://www.trentonian.com/2025/11/22/vacation-time-is-spent-at-manuel-antonio-national-park-in-costa-rica-l-a-parker-column/