Things to Do in Manuel Antonio & Quepos

The area

Welcome to Quepos & Manuel Antonio

Quepos is the charming Central Pacific town that serves as the gateway to the world-renowned Manuel Antonio National Park. It packs an enormous amount into a small area: rainforest trails alive with monkeys and sloths, some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, a buzzing marina, and a year-round calendar of adventure.

From December to April the dry season brings reliable sunshine; the green season (May to November) trades crowds for lush, vivid landscapes. And from August to October, humpback whales migrate through the waters offshore, making it one of the best whale-watching windows on the coast.

Prefer the saddle, the river, or the sea? Pair your trip with horseback riding, Savegre rafting, or ocean kayaking.

A little history

From the Quepoa people to a world-class destination

Quepos takes its name from the Quepoa, the Indigenous people who lived along this stretch of the Central Pacific long before European arrival. In the 20th century the area became a major banana and later African oil-palm growing region, and you can still see the old plantation roads and worker villages on the drive in.

In 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park was established to protect the area's rainforest and coastline. Though it is one of Costa Rica's smallest parks, it is among its most biodiverse and most visited. Today Quepos blends that natural heritage with a modern tourism hub anchored by Marina Pez Vela, a sportfishing and dining destination on the water.

Practical

Getting here & getting around

Quepos is an easy drive from San José (about 3 hours) and Jacó (about 1 hour). Tucanes Tours runs reliable shuttle services from both, so you skip the rental-car stress. Once here, taxis and short drives reach every beach and trailhead, and we handle hotel pickup for every tour.