Quepos arguably is the most tourist stuff-packed area in Costa Rica. While there is no shortage of tourist attractions in other areas of the country, this small seaside town seems to boast the highest concentration of things to do and sights to see.
Well, if Quepos is so packed with interesting stuff, what should you do during your visit to this awesome town?
Let us introduce to the top 5 things to do in Quepos, Costa Rica, which we think are going to help you uncover most of the town’s touristic appeal.
Top 5 Activities You Can to do in Quepos
1- Pay a Visit to Manuel Antonio National Park
It probably wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that Quepos owes a noticeable share of its popularity to the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. One of the most beautiful and diverse national parks in the world, Manuel Antonio National Park arguably is the most heard-of place in Costa Rica.
If you just adore wildlife, then the park welcomes you with its iguanas, caimans, sloths, Capuchin monkeys, land crabs, and many other land and marine animal species. As a side note, we’d recommend that you visit the national park with a guide since you most likely will miss most of the local wildlife species if you are on your own.
Manuel Antonio National Park can also boast some of the most brilliant beach views on this seaside country. Near the end of the walk, you are welcomed by a peaceful cove which, depending on the tide, can be reached via a boat or by just wading across.
One thing to keep in mind with Manuel Antonio National Park is that it is closed on Mondays, unlike the majority of other local attractions. So if you really want to see all of the park’s beauty, schedule your journey so that you are in Quepos on days other than Monday.
2- Engage in Sport Fishing at the Shoreline
With its huge coastline, Quepos is also a great place for seeing a wide array of marine wildlife species and engaging in sport fishing.
The shoreline of the town is home to fish like marlin, snapper, amberjack, big-eye tuna, roosterfish, Mahi Mahi and many others which are considered premier catches by locals and tourists.
Even if you don’t have your own boat, numerous charter companies operating in the area will allow you to get closer to the catch. Guides can show you the way to angling hotspots, which will be particularly useful for inexperienced fishermen who don’t quite know where to fish. More experienced anglers may fish inshore or offshore and may even engage in fly fishing.
3- Book a Whitewater Rafting Tour
If you are an adventure traveller, then you will be glad to hear that Quepos is home to a variety of adventure tours, with perhaps the most exciting one being whitewater rafting. Neighboring areas of Quepos are abundant in exploding whitewater, so why not take the chance and enjoy this thrilling activity?
There are many tour operators that you could go whitewater rafting with, and you don’t have to be experienced in order to experience this thrilling activity. One such tour is Amigos Del Rio, which offers whitewater tours both for beginners and more experienced rafters.
For Upper Savegre Whitewater Rafting, which takes place in class II & III whitewater, you may even bring your kids along, given that they are aged 6 and older. At the moment of this post’s writing, this tour was priced at $105 per person.
For a little more thrill, you could choose Naranjo Whitewater Rafting, but this tour takes place in class III & IV whitewater, due to which it’s more of an experienced boater’s activity. Aside from that, children need to be aged at least 12 to participate in this tour. But priced at $70 per person, this tour is a little cheaper than the Upper Savegre Whitewater Rafting.
Then, there’s “El Chorro” Whitewater Rafting, an adventure full of adrenaline – after all, it is held in the “Chorro” section of Naranjo River with its class IV & V waters!
If you are more inclined towards calmer and safer activities, then Amigos Del Rio offers beginner-friendly kayaking tours, as well as an adventure park tour with rappels, ziplines, and a tarzan swing.
There are many other similar tour operators in Quepos, but the example of Amigos Del Rio should give you some perspective on what you could expect from the town in terms of rafting.
4- Partake the Goods of the Farmer’s Markets
A tropical paradise like Costa Rica is sure going to be rich in exotic fruits, the likes of which you’ve probably never seen. If you really like to give freedom to your inner foodie, then make sure to pay a visit to one of the numerous farmer’s markets in downtown Quepos.
Piles of fruits like huge melons, bananas, papaya, pineapples, the passion fruit, and many other local-grown gifts of nature can be tried at the fruit markets. If you are in the mood for some souvenirs like jewelry or local art, you can find that here too.
5- Tour Around Quepos Town
Who said that you need to attend any crowded tours or excursions in Quepos and its surroundings? After all, there are many things to see in the town itself, especially if you aren’t up to any tourist stuff and just want to quietly spend your time.
Quepos, if you didn’t know, is a very tourism-oriented city. The heavier tourist attractions lie to the south of the town, but there are many other things to do in the rest of Quepos, from shopping around at one of the supermercados to grabbing something to eat at a nearby restaurant.
If you are more up to having some fun, then you will be glad to hear that one of the traits of Quepos is its vivacious nightlife.
Lastly, if you like photography or just like to admire the beauty of the environment, cruise downtown to the waterfront to enjoy the spectacular views of the seaside of Quepos.
If you are planning on visiting Quepos and want help on planning your vacation, feel free to contact us here, our team of local experts will be glad to help you experience an unforgettable trip.
