(683 ha), (1972). The smallest but the most visited
national park of Costa Rica. It`s situated on the middle pacific
coast and used to be an ancient territory of Quepoa Indians.
There is a tombolo, that was formed by two coastal currents
that at one time run parallel to the shore and then converged, accumulating
deposits of sand that later joined the mainland to Catedral Island.
It`s inhabited by raccons and white-faced monkeys. Typical
species of forests balsa, Santa Maria and spiny cedars. The coast is fringed by
coconut palms. It consists on four beaches: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Escondido, Playita. In the last one at a low tide can be seen a stone ancient pens served by Indians for traping the sea turtles).
This park includes 12 coastal islands that provide refuge
for seabirds and a nesting site for the brown booby (one of them is Isla Mogote where used to lived shamans of Quepoe Indians). Dolphins abound in the
surrounding sea and sometimes whales can be seen on their migratory
routes.
