Quepos is a cozy beach community surrounded by forested hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The town offers the best of both worlds: the green treasures of an environmental haven and the turquoise complement of the ocean's grandeur.
Sunset in Quepos
Its tourism based economy is booming thanks to dozens of hotels sprinkled throughout the mountain, international restaurants, happening bars and the proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park. Filled with a comfortable hippy atmosphere, the air in Quepos is much thinner and fresher. The tourism industry has taken advantage of the beautiful landscape and caters to visitors searching for an ecological retreat accompanied by the distinct scent of the nearby ocean.
Formerly known as Puerto Quepos is less than 100 miles (160 km) from San Jose, located in Puntarenas province, on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. With a population of 11,000 people, Quepos is most well known as the main fishing town on the central Pacific coast. To get here it is a beautiful drive that takes you through Atenas, Orotina, Tarcoles, Jaco and Parrita. It is best to allow about 3 to 4 hours, depending on weather and traffic to drive there by car when you are going to Quepos.
Costa Rica is full of coasts, ports and beaches and this friendly town is one of the best examples of the Pacific life. There are daily flights departing from the Juan Santa Maria International Airport at the domestic terminal that will take you to Quepos in only 20 to 40 minutes. Quepos has many hotels and resorts, some of the oldest hotels date from when this was known as Puerto Quepos. Costa Rica flora and fauna is well enjoyed in this area, mostly to its closeness to the Manuel Antonio National Park. From this port is where anglers depart for sports fishing year round nowadays.
Quepeños are great celebrators of life and seem to make dancing in the streets a local pastime. The high season runs through the drier months of December to April and explodes during the Festival del Mar; a month long party held each February that features concerts, sporting events, parades and a street carnival with dancers from across the country. Quepos fills to the brim with families, surfers, backpackers, ecotourists, blissed-out scientists and gay jet-setters, all as colorful and intriguing as the flora and fauna surrounding the village. The ever-friendly locals take it all in stride, going out of their way to make sure everyone has a good time.
This region offers outstanding sport fishing for marlin and sailfish through the peak season that runs form December through August. The inshore reef is also home to large populations of snapper, amberjack, wahoo, and tuna. Quepos is the best place for inshore, offshore and fly fishing in Costa Rica. Puerto Quepos things to do are listed in a great variety of choices: sport fishing, white water rafting, canopying, horseback riding, kayaking, windsurfing and surfing. And if you've caught your own fish, some of the town's restaurants will prepare it for you.
Street in Quepos
The weather in Quepos varies between 74 and 95º F (23 to 35ºC). The main seasonal change, as in the rest of Costa Rica, is the amount of rain; it's pretty dry January through April. There are afternoon showers from May through August, but the month of September is the rainiest. The rest of the year has a very nice temperature. March and April can be pretty hot but it cools off when the rains come. The village center is a delightful six blocks square of restaurants, bars, hotels, art galleries and gift shops all on the beach. The people there like to celebrate life. They make dancing in the streets a local pastime.
A good time
This region was once inhabited by the Quepos indians from which comes the name of the city of Quepos. Upon the europeans' arrival, the region was converted into land for crops, and was later purchased by the United Fruit Company.
Today in Quepos, you'll have every opportunity to truly experience Costa Rica's relaxed way of living. The town is small, which makes it perfect for walking around. Residents are friendly, so don't be afraid to ask for directions or advice.
Fishermen have been interested in Quepos for a long time. The marina boasts states-of-the-art equipment, and all boats are run by top notch operators that will be great company as you catch marlin and sailfish.
If you suddenly crave seafood, you have nothing to worry about. Several oceanfront restaurants serve tasty preparation with feshly caught ingredients. There are also a few bars where you can enjoy an exotic cocktail and listen to all kinds of music. After sunset, everyone in town hits the streets and walks around or enjoys a bite.
On your way
Quepos lies at the bottom of a hill. The road that leads out of it, South towards Manuel Antonio, winds up and over it and is filled with hotels, restaurants and tour operators.
Many of the hotels are on large properties andreach into forests. It's possible to enter the the grounds and go for a hike. Other activities available include horseback riding, kayaking and birdwatching.
When walking or driving along the road, keep your eyes open. Chances are you'll spot capuchin monkeys or sloths in the surrounding trees. If it's wildlife you're interested in, however, head out to Manuel Antonio; you won't regret it!
Geographical Division 
