Must see:
Morning is the best time, for sunny skies and to avoid crowds (only 600 people are admitted during the week; 800 on weekends). Hike to the third beach within the park; it may be the most spectacular beach in Costa Rica, with verdant, coco-lined white-sand shores. Check out the tombolo, which is a deposit of sand built up by millenniums of crashing waves, connecting an island with the mainland.
Manuel Antonio National Park
A trail will take you to the top of Cathedral Point, offering spectacular vistas of surrounding beaches and cliffs. The trail is steep and muddy; take care and go with a partner Snorkeling is excellent, as is observation of sea life. Sponges, corals, various crustaceans, algae and fish all share the coast.
Dolphins and whales sometimes frolic off the islands, and at low tide you can see ancient turtle traps set by the local indigenous population over a thousand years ago. Where to stay: The Quepos/Manuel Antonio area has a huge selection of accommodations, ranging from camping to five-star exclusive resorts.
How to get there:
From Quepos, it's seven miles down the coast, with frequent buses and inexpensive taxis between the two spots. San Jos� to Quepos runs morning and afternoon buses; Nature Air has daily flights. If you're driving, head towards Jac� and follow the Costanera Highway, arriving between three and a half and four hours.
Protected Areas 
