Punta Catedral y Miradores, Manuel Antonio

From the park's single entrance and exit, follow the boardwalk of Sendero El Perezoso through coastal forest, where sloths and monkeys are often seen, to Playa Manuel Antonio. Cross the sandbar to Punta Catedral, once an island, and walk its loop through the forest to viewpoints over the offshore islands. Back at the beach, Sendero Miradores climbs long flights of steps to the park's highest viewpoints, ending at Punta Serrucho, a jagged rocky point above the sea. Return down the steps and along the main track to the entrance.

It is 6.4 km round with 210 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours, plus time on the beach. The grade is Easy: boardwalk and a broad track, with many steps on Punta Catedral and the Miradores trail.

The park is closed on Tuesdays. Food and drinks may not be taken onto the trails or beaches, but there are fountains to refill a reusable water bottle. Feeding the animals is forbidden, so keep your bags closed and with you. Avoid the manzanillo trees on the beach, whose sap and fruit are poisonous.

Tickets are sold only online through SINAC (US$18.08 for non-residents), and the park is open 7am to 3pm, Wednesday to Monday. It has no car park of its own: use the paid car parks nearby or the bus from Quepos, 7 km away. Leave nothing in a parked car.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.