Manuel Antonio National Park Public Use RegulationReglamento de Uso Público del Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

**Public Use Regulations for Manuel Antonio National Park** **No. 22482-MIRENEM** **THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC** **AND THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY AND MINES** Exercising the powers conferred by Article 140, subsections 3) and 18) of the Political Constitution and; **Considering:**

1. 1That through Law No. 5100 of November 15, 1972 and Executive Decrees No. 7901-A of January 16, 1978 and No. 11148-A of February 5, 1980, ratified through Law No. 6794 of August 25, 1982, Manuel Antonio National Park was established.
2. 2That as established in Article 1 of the Convention for the Conservation of Flora, Fauna and Scenic Beauties of the American Countries, national parks: "Are regions established for the protection and conservation of natural beauties and flora and fauna of national importance, so that, being under official supervision, the public may better enjoy them."
3. 3That in accordance with an environmental impact assessment (estudio de impacto ambiental), carried out on Manuel Antonio National Park, uncontrolled visitation is causing its accelerated deterioration, creating a serious risk for its future preservation.
4. 4That administration of the State-owned lands that make up this National Park corresponds to the National Parks Service (Servicio de Parques Nacionales) of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, which must ensure a true balance between visitation and conservation of the Park's resources, in order to ensure the preservation in perpetuity (preservación a perpetuidad) of this wildland area. Therefore,

**DECREE:** The following, **PUBLIC USE REGULATIONS FOR MANUEL ANTONIO** **NATIONAL PARK** **Article 1º-**The purpose of these regulations is to improve the quality of the visitor experience at Manuel Antonio National Park and to ensure its preservation in perpetuity (preservación a perpetuidad).

**Article 2: On hours of operation.** The Park shall remain open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., subject to modifications with prior justification, via administrative resolution (resolución administrativa) by the Regional Directorate of the Central Pacific Conservation Area (Área de Conservación Pacífico Central), hereinafter ACOPAC. The entrance gates to the protected wildland area (área silvestre protegida, ASP) shall close at 3:00 p.m.

The Park Administration may vary the hours at any time for reasons of public convenience and interest, fortuitous event or force majeure, and must report it through the official communication channel established by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). Likewise, for reasons of force majeure, emergency, convenience, and visitor safety, the Park Administration may establish temporary or permanent closures of the ASP. Initially, the park will remain closed every Monday, but the Regional Directorate of ACOPAC is authorized, through technical criteria of an operational, socioeconomic, or environmental nature, to define the day of the week most convenient to close the Park for public use. The foregoing is for the purpose of reducing the impact of visitation on wildlife (vida silvestre), carrying out maintenance work in the protected wildland area, and stimulating the local economy.

(Thus amended by Article 1 of Executive Decree No. 42496 of July 16, 2020) (Note from Sinalevi: Through resolution No. SINAC-ACOPAC-D-RES-009-2021 of February 9, 2021, it was agreed to permanently change the opening hours of Manuel Antonio National Park, opening on Mondays and closing on Tuesdays starting April 1, 2021. Regarding the entry and exit times for visitors to the park, this remains as originally established by Decree No. 42496-MINAE.)

**Article 3: On the carrying capacity (capacidad de carga) of the public use zone (high intervention):** Based on the results of the application of the technical tools established by SINAC, the Regional Directorate of ACOPAC will determine the increase, decrease, or regulation of visitation to the different authorized sites, via administrative resolution (resolución administrativa).

(Thus amended by Article 1 of Executive Decree No. 42496 of July 16, 2020) **Article 4º-**For the purposes of these Regulations, the terrestrial portion of this National Park shall be divided into three zones:

a.- Intensive use zones.

These are those intended for the recreation and enjoyment of visitors, having trails, lunch and rest areas, beaches, etc.

Zones of this type are the Punta Catedral trail (sendero Punta Catedral), the Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio beaches and their access trails (senderos).

b.- Extensive use zones.

These are intended for the observation and research of geology, flora and fauna, and for hiking.

The following are declared extensive use zones: Perezoso trail (sendero Perezoso), Puerto Escondido trail (sendero Puerto Escondido), Puerto Escondido beach, Playita beach and the Mirador de Serrucho.

c.- Intangible Zones.

These are those intended for the absolute preservation of natural resources.

Entry into these zones is only permitted for researchers and students, provided they have express authorization from the National Parks Service (Servicio de Parques Nacionales).

**Article 5º-**The National Parks Service shall demarcate on the ground each of the zones established in the preceding article.

**Article 6º-**Due to their characteristics and the fragility of the resources they protect, in the extensive use zones listed below, the following special regulations are established:

1.- Perezoso trail (Sendero Perezoso).

Access to this trail is permitted for a maximum of thirty people at a time, divided into groups of no more than 15 people; who must complete the route in a maximum time of one hour.

2.- Puerto Escondido-Mirador trail (Sendero Puerto Escondido-Mirador).

Access to this trail is permitted for a maximum of forty-five people at a time, who will complete the route divided into groups of no more than 15 people, separated by intervals of 30 minutes and accompanied by a specialized guide, a biology teacher, or a Park official; and must complete the route in a maximum time of three hours.

When a Park official is requested as a guide, their participation will be subject to staff availability.

3.- Puerto Escondido Beach.

This Beach may only be visited during the low tide period, for which Park officials must be consulted.

**Article 7º-**The safety rules for bathers and other visitors, both written ones and those verbally given by the area's officials, shall be mandatory.

**Article 8º-**Visitors must keep the Park clean, being obliged to deposit trash in the sites designated for this purpose.

**Article 9º-**Within the maritime area of Manuel Antonio National Park, the anchoring of vessels is permitted, under the following conditions:

a.- Authorization is requested from the Park administration one month in advance.

b.- The anchoring is carried out at Espadilla Sur Beach (Playa "2"), at a distance of no less than three hundred meters from the coastline.

c.- The corresponding entrance and anchoring fees, as established by the National Parks Service through executive decree, are paid at the Area administration.

d.- Throwing waste of any nature (trash, black or gray water, etc.) from vessels into the sea while they remain within the Park is prohibited.

**Article 10-**The disembarkation of tourists from vessels anchored at Espadilla Sur Beach is permitted, under the following conditions:

a.- It is carried out at the place established by the National Parks Service for this purpose.

b.- The maximum speed that the boats (zodiacs) used for this activity may develop is eight (8) knots.

c.- Two boats (zodiacs) disembarking at the same time shall not be permitted, and the persons in charge of the vessels are responsible for preventing this situation.

When this occurs, one of the boats must wait its turn no less than seventy-five (75) meters from the coast, while the other executes the disembarkation.

d.- Once the tourists return to the vessel, the person in charge must collect the trash and deposit it outside the Park.

e.- Those who enter the Area by this method are obliged to comply with all the provisions established by these regulations for visitation to the Area, including visiting hours.

**Article 11-**Visitors are obliged to respect the following provisions:

a.- Enter through the established sites.

b.- Pay the admission fee and other corresponding fees, in accordance with the decrees on current fees.

c.- Walk along the established trails (senderos) and routes.

d.- Respect notices, signs, fences, and boundary markers.

e.- Comply with the safety rules established for visitors, both written ones and those verbally given by officials stationed in the area.

**Article 12: Prohibitions for visitors:** Within the boundaries of Manuel Antonio National Park, hereinafter PNMA, in addition to the prohibitions indicated in current environmental regulations, visitors are prohibited from:

1- Extracting any type of organic or inorganic material belonging to the ASP, except when done under scientific research permits.

2- The use of cages for the capture or observation of marine or terrestrial fauna.

3- Fishing of any type, as well as bringing in articles for this activity.

4- Bringing in and use of any type of laser or reflective device, flashlights, or other instruments for pointing at wild flora and fauna found within the ASP, use of recordings, "playbacks" or sounds to attract animals, as well as the use of flash for taking photographs and taking self-portraits (selfies) with wildlife (fauna silvestre).

5- Entry or transit of horses, dogs, cats, or any other type of pet or domestic animal, with the exception of companion dogs in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 7600.

6- Bringing in and use of audio equipment or instruments, with the exception of cell phones, within the boundaries of the PNMA, except for those generated for administrative reasons or in response to emergencies by the competent authorities.

7- Camping, building campfires, bringing in lighters or similar items, cooking, extracting firewood, as well as bringing in and use of grills or stoves of any type.

8- Bringing in balls of any type, bicycles, drones, umbrellas and beach chairs, camping tents, canopies, and hammocks.

9- Practicing nudism.

10- Causing scandals, brawls, or aggressions that threaten other persons within the ASP.

11- Sitting, lying, or climbing on tables, railings, signs, and trees.

12- Distributing, displaying, or posting propaganda of any type, except that authorized by the Park Administration.

13- Bringing in, selling, consuming, or possessing alcoholic beverages within the terrestrial and marine boundaries of the PNMA, or entering under the effects of liquor or other psychotropic substances.

14- Bringing in food and/or beverages of any type, under the conditions and with the exceptions established by the ASP Administration.

15- Practicing any sports or other activities that threaten or endanger the safety of visitors, including water or sand sliding sports activities, personal watercraft, hang gliders, water parasailing, and the use of marine racing vehicles.

16- Entry of manned or unmanned aerial vehicles of any type, or the launching of objects or packages, except for control and surveillance duties or with express authorization from the Administration. Except for aircraft authorized by the State for emergency response, with due justification and following established protocols.

17- Bringing in or use of tobacco products and their derivatives that generate smoke, gases, or vapors in any of their forms or devices, including cigarettes, cigars, snuff, electronic cigarettes, hookahs or narghiles, and similar devices used to concentrate or expel smoke, gases, or vapors.

(Thus amended by Article 1 of Executive Decree No. 42496 of July 16, 2020) **Article 13-**Failure to comply with the regulations established in these regulations empowers the Park officials to expel the offender and file the corresponding complaint through judicial channels.

**Article l4-**The visitor assumes the risks that may arise during their stay in this National Park.

**Article 15-**It shall take effect as of January 1, 1994.

Issued at the Presidential House.- San José, on the twenty-fourth day of August, nineteen ninety-three.

Reglamento de Uso Público para el Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio Nº 22482-MIRENEM EL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA Y EL MINISTRO DE RECURSOS NATURALES, ENERGIA Y MINAS En uso de las facultades que les confieren el artículo 140, incisos 3) y 18) de la Constitución Política y;

1. 1Que mediante Ley Nº 5100 de 15 de noviembre de 1972 y Decretos ejecutivos Nº 7901- A de 16 de enero de 1978 y Nº 11148-A de 5 de febrero de 1980, ratificados mediante Ley Nº 6794 de 25 de agosto de 1982, se estableció el Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.
2. 2Que según lo establecido en el artículo 1º de la Convención para la Conservación de la Flora , de la Fauna y las Bellezas Escénicas de los países de America los parques nacionales: "Son las regiones establecidas para la protección y la conservación de las bellezas naturales y de la flora y la fauna de importancia nacional, a fin de que, al estar bajo vigilancia oficial, el público pueda disfrutar mejor de ellas".
3. 3Que de conformidad con un estudio de impacto ambiental, efectuado sobre el Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, la visitación no controlada esta provocando su deterioro en forma acelerada, creando un grave riesgo para su preservación futura.
4. 4Que administración de los terrenos propiedad del Estado que conforman este Parque Nacional, le corresponde al Servicio de Parques Nacionales del Ministerio de Recursos Nacionales, Energía y Minas, debiendo velar porque exista un verdadero equilibrio entre la visitación y la conservación de los recursos del Parque, con el fin de asegurar la preservación a perpetuidad de esta área silvestre. Por tanto,

El siguiente, REGLAMENTO DE USO PUBLICO PARA EL PARQUE NACIONAL MANUEL ANTONIO

Considerando:

DECRETAN: