Punta Catedral, which used to be an island with forest topped cliffs, is connected to the mainland by a thin land bridge that separates the park’s two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio.

Punta Catedral is part of Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s smallest national park. With just over 683 hectares, but it is also one of the most amazing, famous and visited ones. Here you will find a small forested area heavily populated by White Faced and Howler monkeys and raccoons, and three exceptionally beautiful beaches. Also it is one of the few remaining areas in which the squirrel monkey is found. Trails pass through secondary and primary forest, dominated by bastard cedar, balsa and mangrove swamps. The beaches are covered with coconut palms, a truly unique tropical paradise.

Unfortunately there is no bridge across the river that has to be crossed to reach the park entrance and visitors arriving at high tide will have to wade through chest high water, but again… this can be authentic fun!

Playa Manuel Antonio is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica and has been rated one of the top ten in the world. The beach is a half mile long, perfect white sand crescent bordered by deep green mangroves and palms. The park abounds with wildlife and in a days visit it is possible to see iguanas, monkeys, sloths agoutis, paccaries armadillos, pisotes, coatimundis and raccoons.

Camping, accommodations and almost any service can be found within walking distance of the park.