About Quepos & Manuel Antonio

Quepos & Manuel Antonio

In Quepos & Manuel Antonio, visitors will find a wide range of opportunities to experience the ‘pure life’ of Costa Rica. The phrase “pura vida" (meaning “pure life”) is a ubiquitous motto used throughout Costa Rica.  It encapsulates the pervading ideology of living in harmony with nature and living life to the fullest.  Local residents are well known for their friendliness and hospitality. 

Apart from the unrivalled biodiversity, seaside villages and exotic beaches, the area has all the essential infrastructure and services in place, such as potable water, electricity coverage, telecommunications, airports, banks, hospitals, lodgings and a wide variety of restaurants.

Convenient Location

• Manuel Antonio and Quepos are located in the South Pacific coastal province of Puntarenas. The area is situated 157 km south of the capital, San José. The two towns are located 7 km away from each other.
• The region is easily accessible, either by road or air.  By road, it takes around 3 hours from San Jose.  Internal flights offer daily services to Quepos Airport, with a short flight time of 20 minutes from San Jose.
• A new 77km highway is being currently being constructed to link the capital to the Pacific Coast.  This will make travel times significantly shorter to this part of the country.

 

Main Attractions

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel National Park at a Glance:

• 683 hectares of land
• 55,000 hectares of sea
• 12 islands
• 109 species of mammals
• 184 species of birds
• Over 150,000 tourist visitors in 2007
• A unique combination of rainforest, beaches and coral reefs

Manuel Antonio National Park consists of 683 hectares of land and contains some of the country’s most diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery.  The park is surrounded by tropical forests and has a well-developed trail system to facilitate independent exploration.

Among the species that can be seen in the park are toucans, white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas, exotic bird species as well as the Costa Rican squirrel monkey (Saimiri), which is endemic to Manuel Antonio and only found in this part of the world.

Sport Fishing

• The Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is the #1 sport fishing destination in all of Central America.  It is safe to fish offshore and is home to numerous tournaments held each year.  Although the catch varies depending on the season, the inshore or offshore fishing is excellent year-round.
• Quepos is famous for billfish, snook, sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin and occasionally striped marlin.  In addition, some of the species living in these Pacific waters are Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Jacks, Wahoo and Snapper, among others. 
• Short flights are available for freshwater fishing experiences including the world-famous Tarpon expeditions available on the northeast shore.

Ecotourism Adventures

• Ecotourism activities are widely available in the region throughout the year. 
• All the activities put you face to face with nature like few in the world have experienced.  Just some of the options include the following:  Diving, Canopy Tours, Ocean Kayaking, Horseback Riding, Mountain biking, ATV 4-wheel drive tours, Sailing, Mangrove Tours, Damas Island Tour, Sailing and Surfing.

First Class Marina

Pez Vela Marina

• Unique in Central America due to its facilities and world-class services
• Over 39 acres of land and water
• 300 concrete floating slips to accommodate boats up to 200 feet
• This project is going to become a key attraction and is expected to attract significant capital investment while preserving the charm and beauty of the Old World feel.
• The Marina, which is already under development, will have 300 concrete floating slips accommodating boats up to 200 feet.  It will also have a 200-ton travel-lift and a fully-staffed maintenance facility capable of any repairs or service required, making it unique in Central America.
• Golf carts and concierge services will be available on the dock for delivery of luggage and supplies. Telephone service, cable and satellite TV, Internet, shops, and room/slip service will also be provided dockside. The facility will offer first-class services to rival the top-rated marinas worldwide.