Rincon de la Vieja (National Park) → Manuel Antonio / Quepos

Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica's most visited national park: white-sand coves backed by rain forest where sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys and hundreds of bird species are seen on almost every walk. The hillside road between Quepos town and the park entrance is lined with hotels, restaurants and sunset viewpoints over the Pacific.

It is a long haul from Guanacaste, but a classic combination for travellers finishing at San José Airport, and an easy 3-hour run from SJO itself.

From San José the drive is about 3 hours on Route 27 and the coastal highway through Jacó. From Liberia Airport or the Guanacaste beaches allow 5 to 5.5 hours; the road is paved the whole way with a lunch stop on the coast at Jacó or Parrita. From La Fortuna it is roughly 4.5 hours. Your driver takes you to your hotel door, even on the steep hillside streets where taxis hesitate.

• The national park is closed on Tuesdays and limits daily visitors; buy tickets online in advance.
• Hire a guide with a scope at the park entrance: you will see five times more wildlife.
• Never leave food unattended on the beach; the monkeys and raccoons are professionals.
• Quepos town, 15 minutes away, has the cheaper restaurants and the Saturday farmers' market.