Manuel Antonio's 683Ha combine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and verdant, coastal lush tropical forest, with snack-seekers white-faced monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, grunting howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, agoutis (which are large jungle rodents), green and black iguanas, and luxuriant rain forest where poisonous manzanilla, massive ficus, cow, kapok, and limbo trees tower over hiking trails. Mangrove swamps, marshland, and coral reefs contribute further to the park's biodiversity.     

The park entrance is on the beach, just across a little estuary from the end of the road. A trail heads through the forest just behind the beach, but you can also walk on the sand. Another trail that does a loop on Punta Catedral, the steep point at the end of the beach, offers a good look at the rain forest. The second beach, at the other side of the point, is in a cove safe for swimming and has good snorkeling. All of the trails within the park are good for animal watching. Also snorkellers can see a variety of fish as well as marine creatures like crabs and corals, sponges and sea snails, sea urchins, and many others.

5 km south of Quepos, 181 km southwest of San Jose.
Opening hours: Daily, except Monday. From 7:00 to 16:00