Manuel Antonio · With kids

Flat gravel trails, guides with telescopes at the gate, and monkeys along the path. It closes one day a week — check before travelling. Ages 3+.

The horseshoe bay inside the park is the calmest swimming on this coast, shallow and sheltered, with shade at the back. Ages 2+.

A flat-water estuary tour north of Quepos with crocodiles, herons and silky anteaters; two hours, no swell, calmest on a rising tide. Ages 4+.

Canopy walkways and river pools half an hour inland, far quieter than the park and cool under the trees. Steep in places. Ages 6+.

Do not feed the capuchins, and keep bags shut. The park road is steep with no pavement, so use the bus rather than walking with a stroller.