Quepos

DESTINATIONS costa rica quepos

Quepos

The world bestowed a wealth of biodiversity, rainforests, waterfalls, and sublime Pacific Ocean coastlines to Quepos, Costa. Named for the native Quepoa Indians who inhabited the area in the colonial era, Quepos is quite the natural wonder. Only ten degrees north of the equator, the city provide a veritable sanctuary for outdoors enthusiasts. Quepos is known as a gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park with its mangroves, lagoons and beach-lined rainforests.

The City Best Beaches Coffee and Lunch Spots

The City

Quepos is located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast and is the gateway to a popular National Park and numerous sand beaches. The city centre has many restaurants, bars, bakeries, art galleries, and gift shops. Its citizens love life, celebrating it with a month-long party every February when the streets overflow with dancers, concerts, parades and street carnivals. This cozy beach community is a great destination for an adventurous and fun-filled vacation.

Best Beaches

The expansive shoreline of Costa Rica's Pacific coast is a true gift for beach lovers. Beautiful white or volcanic black sand paradise lined with palm trees, naturally rugged beach coves surrounded by tropical rainforest, abundance of wildlife, both marine and peaking out from the forest. People come here to surf, swim, bask in the sun or simply enjoy the laid-back beach towns sprinkled along the coasts. The beaches around and inside the Manuel Antonio National Park are considered to be the best in the country. The best place to stay in close proximity to a variety of beaches is the Manuel Antonio village.

Coffee and Lunch Spots

Whether you want to relax and recharge from an earlier adventure or take time to plan your next one, Quepos offers many places where you can do so while sipping a cup of coffee or having a light meal.

Do & See Dining Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Book an exhilarating canopy tour, go horseback riding, kayaking, or rafting, learn to surf or go deep sea fishing, all while enjoying the colourful flora and fauna surrounding this tropical paradise. The diversity of things to do and see will keep you busy for many, many days.

White-water Rafting

Amigos del Rio offers intense and exhilarating tours that cover over seven miles of challenging river rafting, going through some of the most beautiful stretches of the jungle. Their tours are kid-friendly and include meals. As an alternative they also offer more tranquil ocean and mangrove …

Trimaran Sunset Sail Tours

Encounter dolphins, giant sea turtles and whales while sailing to the offshore islets. Snorkelling and spectacular views of the sunset will wrap up a perfect day on the …

Chocolate & Coffee Tour

Exotic and rich in their decadent flavours, Costa Rican chocolate and coffee are worth exploring. The chocolate part of the tour starts with the cultural and biological background of cocoa and goes on to teach you about the collecting, fermenting, grinding and finally the making of chocolate. Coffee aficionados will be delighted to learn about …

Stay in Manuel Antonio

Although you can't stay inside the national park itself, the village of Manuel Antonio has an excellent range of accommodations — from affordable hostels for backpackers and long-term travellers to luxury hotels. Be prepared to pay a bit more proximity to nature and the beaches. Staying here might be a better option if you …

Nahomi Park

Parque Nahomi is the go-to place for enjoying the sunset. This small park on Quepos southern edge offers incredible views of the sea and is easily reached on foot from the centre. There are a few cliff jumping spots, too. There isn't a big beach here, but it's a convenient place to launch kayaks …

Marina Pez Vela

Marina Pez Vela — or The New Marina, as some refer to it is in Quepos — hosts some of worlds best fishing tournaments. If you're not into fishing, you can still enjoy great shops, restaurants and beautiful boats. The marina is a calm and safe place to just sit down, gawk at the …

Hanging Bridges and Waterfalls in the Rainforest

There's nothing like crossing some of the highest hanging bridges in the country and then enjoying a refreshing dip in a 36 m (120 ft) waterfall hidden deep within the primary rainforest. Apart from the abundance of natural life, some tours offer cultural and culinary experiences. You get to meet locals and have a …

Playitas Beach

Playitas Beach, an extension of Playa Espadilla, is a cozy beach on the north side of the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort. Beach chairs may be set up in the sun or the shade according to your preferences. Great waves for surfing. Playitas is also known as a hangout spot for LGBTQA+ …

Espadilla Beach

The stunning Playa Espadilla is located on the grounds of the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort, and is characterised by its natural rock protecting the warm tide pools and its tropical shore birds. A jungle surrounds Arenas Del Mar and touches the sand, offering natural shade. The beach is 2 km long …

Zip Lines

Nature lovers and thrill seekers can soar high through the rain forest and witness the beautiful harmony of the jungle biodiversity: admire birds, monkeys, sloths and other small jungle animals in their natural habitat. This is one adventure you will never forget. Several companies organise tours around Quepos. Titi Canopy Tours is located close to …

Manuel Antonio National Park

Established in 1972 to preserve and protect the jungle and idyllic beach, the Manuel Antonio National Park is home to many endangered species. There are many tours to suit any interest, including guided hiking or monkey feeding. So abundant are the riches of the Central Pacific coast that it is said explorer Ponce de …

Pacific Rainforest Aerial Tram

The Pacific Rainforest Aerial Tram allows guests to view the 222 acres of tropical rain forest from a safe, open-air gondola. They have seating and roofs, which are great for those interested in birding. Expect to get views of a 40 foot waterfall and views of the Pacific …

Damas Estuary Boat Trip

The Damas Estuary Boat Trip takes guests on a covered boat tour along the complex and beautiful estuaries and mangroves surrounding Damas Island. The boats are eco-friendly and designed for security and comfort, and a naturalist will describe a variety of biological relationships between many organisms in this delicate habitat. Expect to see animals …

Sport Fishing

Quepos offers world class sport fishing for all ranges of fishermen. More than 40 world records have been registered, including sailfish, black, blue, and striped marlin, yellow fin tuna, Spanish and sierra mackerel, mackerel and more. Feel the thrill of big-game …

Horseback Riding

Mountain trails of Manuel Antonio are a wonderful setting for horseback riding. After a short intro and a safety briefing, you will follow your guide to the altitude of 600 metres (1,900 feet) taking in the amazing views, wildlife, and vegetation along the way. On your way back down, you'll take a swimming break …

Dining

The dining options are as abundant as the wildlife in Quepos. From restaurants that will cook what you caught that day to local Tico dining or a romantic dinner, Quepos has everything to satisfy your taste buds.

El Avión Restaurant

El Avión is a unique restaurant built around an airplane brought from the Nicaraguan Army and converted into a bar. Enjoy the beautiful ocean and rainforest views while enjoying a sensational menu featuring typical Costa Rican …

Gabriella's Steak Seafood & Pasta

Dining at its finest is guaranteed at this high-end steak and seafood restaurant. Located at the port and sporting outdoor seating that offers a view of the ocean, it is famous for its Black Angus beef, amazing scallops and impeccable …

El Gran Escape Bar and Restaurant

This old-established pub in Quepos is located right in the centre of the town. It is known for introducing new dishes as specials of the day, while also accommodating as best they can for the requests of their customers. Naturally, it's all about the freshest seafood …

El Lagarto

El Lagarto is a first class restaurant with one of the best sunset views in Manuel Antonio. The restaurant goes above and beyond when it comes to genuinely friendly service, steak dinner and grilled veggies. The portions are extremely generous: get your steak with a side of perfectly creamy and smooth baked potato, grilled …

Manuel Antonio Falafel Bar

Sometimes you just need a change of pace from all the excellent seafood and top-notch steaks in Costa Rica. The Manuel Antonio Falafel Bar offers you a healthy dose of vitamins with their fresh salad bar. The falafel is perfectly seasoned, pita bread is made in house and the hummus creamy and nutty as …

El Patio de Cafe Milagro

No matter the time of the day, El Patio de Cafe Milagro has got you covered. They offer different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so the selection is quite large, ranging from their house blend coffee to fish fillet with fruit …

Barba Roja Restaurant

The Barba Roja has long been one of the more popular restaurants in Manuel Antonio, featuring an outdoor view of the surrounding nature and a wide variety of dishes on offer. A creative fusion menu and sushi bar accompanies an interior of local hardwoods and …

Rancho Leon Restaurant

Rancho Leon specialises in traditional Casada dishes: rice, beans, plantains, peppers, and grilled chicken pieces. The interior is lined with overhead fans to ensure that the guests are kept …

Mercato Del Porto Restaurant

The menu at Mercato Del Porto features seafood creations and healthy dishes such as the arugula salad and squid starter. You also have the chance to ask for a custom pizza, with a wide variety of sauces and toppings …

Mira Olas Restaurant

Known mainly for their fine seafood dishes, Mira Olas also has an extensive menu including chicken, steak, and pasta dishes. Staff will be more than happy to cook the fish that you catch to your …

L'Angolo Restaurant

L'Angolo often has a long line for good reason. This small deli is always welcoming to guests of Quepos who are interested in a menu based on Italian cuisine, which also offers vegetarian …

Bars & Nightlife

Quepos definitely comes awake when the sun goes down. There's no need to pick just one destination: with a bar on every block in downtown, you will be able to fully experience Quepos by sampling the assortment of drinking and dancing options.

Ronny's Place

Ronny's Place is a restaurant that offers unmatched views of not one, but two pristine bays, as well as the lush jungle all around. The menu features delicacies like coconut breaded shrimp, whole red snapper or a seafood platter for two with lobster, tuna, mahi-mahi and calamari with garlic sauce. Browse their long cocktail …

Claro Qué Sí

The Claro Qué Sí seafood, grill & wine Bar offers elegant dining from its location at Hotel Sí Como No and features a terrace overlooking the tropical forest and the Pacific coastline. They also host late night and happy hour events with Latin music from 9 pm to 10 pm, as well as offering …

Bambu Jam

If you're looking for live music, then head to Bambu Jam. The happy hour starts from 4 pm to 7 pm everyday, with discounts on several drinks. Sports fans are also welcome to watch the most awaited games while enjoying special promotions on the beverages …

Shopping

All around Quepos and Manuel Antonio one will find endless shopping opportunities, from open air shops to high-end stores. Browse local art galleries, purchase local spices or cigars, or select from the vividly colored ceramics or silver jewelry.