Monkeys and sloths
Along the trails.
No machine-readable author provided. Rauldmo assumed (based on copyright claims). — Public domain · Bernard Gagnon — CC0 · Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of Costa Rica's smallest and most visited national parks, where rainforest meets white-sand beaches and calm turquoise coves on the Pacific, framed by rocky headlands and small green islands. Well-kept forest trails let visitors easily spot plenty of wildlife: white-faced capuchin monkeys, rare little squirrel monkeys, sloths hanging in the trees, iguanas, colourful crabs and birds. A trail climbs Punta Catedral with lookouts over the coast. The park has quiet beaches between forest and sea, the best known being Manuel Antonio and Espadilla Sur. A local guide is very useful, carrying a spotting scope that reveals animals hidden in the leaves. The park closes on Mondays and caps daily visitors, so book ahead online. Food in open bags is not allowed in, and monkeys snatch belongings. Never feed or touch wild animals and watch them from a distance; feeding harms them and makes them aggressive.
Along the trails.
Coastal lookouts.
White sand.
End of the Quepos-Manuel Antonio road, central Pacific coast
Not compulsory, but a guide with a spotting scope reveals many animals you would miss alone in the leaves.