Making the most of Quepos
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Puerto Quepos cruise port has 6 blocks containing bars, shops, hotels, restaurants and galleries. Cruise vessels anchor and tender passengers to the marina, only a brief walk from town.
Keep a printable map handy ashore.
Puerto Quepos spreads around a tropical inlet enclosed by primary rainforest. At the village centre is a delightful six-block square of restaurants, bars, hotels, bakeries, art galleries and gift shops, fronted by the main beach and sportfishing fleet. Quepos is expanding rapidly while retaining much of its sleepy, modest character.
Getting around
Try catching a Pacific Sailfish or Marlin. Tours operate every day, with the choice of hiring the entire boat or sharing a trip with others.
Take the town bus to Manuel Antonio beach. A return costs about one USD, services run every 30 mins and the journey is fun.
For travel beyond the towns, preventing mosquito bites is extremely important. The CDC recommends lightweight long trousers, long-sleeved shirts and insect repellents containing high concentrations of DEET.
Nearby places
No Puerto Quepos visit is complete without Manuel Antonio National Park. The entry fee is $16 USD, and it closes on Mondays. Located only a few minutes south of Quepos, this is Costa Rica's smallest national park, yet it contains abundant wildlife and breathtakingly beautiful beaches.
Be aware that Quepos beaches are polluted and swimming there is not recommended. Cross the hill to Manuel Antonio instead.
Costa Rica's exceptional biodiversity reflects both its position as a land bridge between North and South America and its varied terrain, with weather arriving from the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean. Volcanoes, mountains, rivers, lakes and beaches occur throughout the country. It has many beautiful beaches; most popular examples are on the Pacific side, although the Caribbean also has numerous excellent ones.
Food and shopping
Central Quepos is a small chequerboard of dusty roads lined with local and visitor-focused shops, businesses, markets, restaurants and cafés. On Saturday morning, a produce market opens beside the beach in Puerto Quepos.
Money
The local currency is the Colón(es). Exchange is approximately 575 Colones for 1 US Dollar. ATMs are found in most places and generally dispense US Dollars and Colones.
Staying connected
Costa Rica's main language is Spanish. English is widely used in areas frequented by international tourists.
Dial 911 for an emergency anywhere in Costa Rica.
Cafés offering customers free WiFi are fairly easy to locate in tourist districts.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are Mon-Sat 0900-1800/1900, with possible regional variations.
Costa Rica is Catholic, and most holidays are church-related. The majority of businesses, including banks, shut on official holidays. During the biggest holiday period, Easter Holy Week, the country closes entirely, but only on Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Some services may operate by Holy Sunday, although this cannot be relied upon in remote areas.
Most Ticos now take the entire Christmas holiday week through New Year as an unofficial