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Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Quepos Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Costa Rica – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Costa Rican Colón (CRC) £1 ≈ CRC 605.44 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Costa Rica has a well-developed cashless payment system, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. However, it is still useful to carry cash in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often included, but it is common to leave an additional tip of 5-10%. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not commonly allowed in Costa Rica. Alcohol consumption is generally confined to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and resorts. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and enclosed areas, including restaurants and public transport. |
| Independence Day (15 September) |
National holiday with celebrations and parades |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
Family-centred celebration |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber |
| Other: | Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, eco-tourism, and commitment to environmental conservation. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure travellers. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Quepos, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park is closed Mondays and has a daily visitor cap, book entry ahead December to April
Humpback whale watching from boats December to April and July to October
Some hotels, restaurants and tour operators close during the heaviest rains in September and October
Don't miss
- 🐒 Explore diverse wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park
- 🏖️ Relax on pristine beaches like Playa Espadilla
- 🌳 Take thrilling zipline tours through tropical rainforest
- ⛵ Go fishing or sailing from Marina Pez Vela
- 💦 Hike to Nauyaca Waterfalls surrounded by lush jungle
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Quepos?
Quepos offers a unique blend of natural beauty and thrilling activities. From exploring the diverse ecosystems of Manuel Antonio National Park to enjoying water sports on pristine beaches, there's something for everyone. The town itself boasts a lively atmosphere with local markets, eateries and cultural experiences.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Manuel Antonio National Park
One of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica, located near Quepos on the Pacific coast. The lush rainforest features waterfalls, sloths and monkeys, making it a premier destination for wildlife observation and eco-tourism adventures.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Quepos Billfish Cup
-
Festival del Mar
-
Independence Day Parade
-
Carnaval de Quepos
-
Marlin Fishing Tournament
-
Costa Rica Blues Festival
-
Virgin of the Sea Festival
-
Quepos Open Water Swim
-
Manuel Antonio SUP Challenge
-
Christmas Boat Parade
Knowledge before you go
- Stay in Quepos for value; visit Manuel Antonio daily.
- Arrive early at Manuel Antonio to beat crowds, heat and limited entry slots.
- Use local buses or taxis to beaches; parking near the park gets tight quickly.
- For a calmer wildlife fix, book an Isla Damas mangrove kayak tour near sunrise.
How to travel to Quepos
The most common way to reach Quepos is by flying into Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José. From there, you can take a domestic flight to Quepos La Managua Airport or opt for a scenic 2.5-hour drive via Route 34, which offers coastal views and passes through charming towns.
Access summary
- From Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP): Short taxi to town, about 10–15 minutes.
- From San José (SJO): Domestic flight 30 minutes or shuttle/bus about 3–4 hours.
- From Manuel Antonio: Local bus or taxi along coastal road, roughly 15–25 minutes.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Quepos
Quepos and the nearby Manuel Antonio area offer a range of accommodations, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. Eco-lodges and boutique hotels nestled in the rainforest are popular choices, providing immersive nature experiences while being close to the beach.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Quepos
Getting around Quepos and the surrounding areas is convenient. Taxis and local buses are readily available and affordable. Many attractions are within walking distance or a short drive. Renting a scooter or bicycle is also a popular option for exploring at your own pace.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 52% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to CRC) is 24% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.
Travel costs (Data for Cartago, Costa Rica - 55 km away)
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Quepos is generally safe for tourists. However, it's advisable to stay vigilant, avoid displaying valuables and use reputable transportation services, especially at night.
Health & Medical
Healthcare facilities in Quepos are adequate for minor issues, with a local clinic available. For serious conditions, hospitals in San José offer comprehensive care. It's recommended to have travel insurance.
Accessibility
Major attractions in Quepos are accessible, with some offering facilities for individuals with mobility challenges. However, certain natural trails may be uneven or steep.
Tap water
Tap water in Quepos is generally safe to drink. However, visitors with sensitive stomachs may prefer bottled water, which is widely available.
Packing recommendations for Quepos
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
👀
Binoculars
for wildlife watching
🕶️
Sunglasses
☂️
Folding umbrella
🎒
Small rucksack
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🔋
Power bank
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
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