Quepos and Manuel Antonio: What's Where
Quepos is the working coastal town; Manuel Antonio is the forested hillside and beach area that runs from the edge of Quepos to the national park. One road, Route 618, climbs out of town, crosses the ridge and drops down to Playa Espadilla and the park entrance, about 7 km from Quepos. Nearly every hotel, restaurant and viewpoint in Manuel Antonio sits along that road.
Quepos and Manuel Antonio at a glance
| Place | What you will find |
|---|---|
| Quepos town | Bus terminal, banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, municipal market, malecón, farmers market |
| Marina Pez Vela | Quepos waterfront: boat departures, plaza with restaurants and shops, sunsets |
| Route 618 (the hill road) | About 6.3 km from Quepos to the park: hotels, restaurants, viewpoints, ECOTICA |
| Manuel Antonio village | Playa Espadilla, Playitas, surf schools, beach restaurants |
| Playa Biesanz | Small sheltered cove off the hill road, reached by a short forest path |
| National park entrance | End of the road, about 7 km from Quepos (SINAC); Wednesday to Monday; tickets online |
| Hospital | Hospital Max Terán Valls (CCSS), La Managua, south of the Quepos airstrip |
| Emergencies | 911, nationwide |
How the area fits together
Quepos is both a town and a canton (county) in Puntarenas province. The canton was called Aguirre from 1948 until 2015, when it was renamed Quepos in honor of the Quepo people who lived here before the Spanish arrived. You’ll still see “Aguirre” on some older signs and documents. There’s more on this in our history and culture guide.
Manuel Antonio isn’t a separate town with a center. It’s the name people use for the hills, hotels and beaches between Quepos and the park, and for the small cluster of shops and restaurants near the beach at the end of the road. Route 618 is only about 6.3 km long, running from the edge of Quepos to the park entrance, so distances are short. Traffic on the one road is what sets your travel time, especially in high season.
A simple way to picture it, from north to south:
- Quepos airport (La Managua), a small domestic airstrip outside town.
- Quepos town and the malecón, the waterfront, bus terminal, banks and the farmers market.
- Marina Pez Vela, on the Quepos waterfront, where many boats leave from.
- Route 618 up the hill, hotels, restaurants and viewpoints on the climb and along the ridge.
- Manuel Antonio village and Playa Espadilla, the public beach where the road reaches the sea.
- The national park entrance, at the end of the road.
Quepos town: the practical side
Quepos grew up as a banana company town in the 1930s and later lived from oil palm and fishing. Today it’s where people from the whole area do their errands. If you need a bank, a pharmacy, a supermarket or a bus, you’ll probably end up here.
What you’ll find
- The bus terminal, for TRACOPA buses to and from San José and the local bus up to Manuel Antonio.
- The malecón, the seafront promenade, good for an evening walk.
- The farmers market (feria), held next to the malecón on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings, with fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish, prepared food and crafts. Go early on Saturday for the best produce.
- Everyday restaurants and sodas (small local diners) that cost less than the hill.
Good to know
Quepos is a real town, not a resort. It’s flat and walkable in the center, busy in the mornings, and quiet on Sundays. It’s also a good place for a rainy afternoon.
A morning in Quepos: market, malecón and marina
Downtown Quepos is compact enough to see in a relaxed morning on foot, and it shows you the everyday side of the coast that most visitors only glimpse from a taxi window. The center is a grid of a few streets between the bus terminal and the sea, with the municipal market at its heart. Around it you will find the banks, pharmacies, bakeries, hardware stores and fruit stands that keep the whole area running.
A simple walking loop
- Start at the market. The covered municipal market is the reference point locals use for directions, and the area around it is where you will find the busiest sodas serving gallo pinto, casados and fresh fruit drinks. Our food and before-you-go tips explain what to order.
- Walk west to the malecón. The seafront promenade follows the bay, with benches, palm shade and a wide view of the water. Early in the day it belongs to joggers and fishermen; in the evening, families come out to catch the breeze.
- Follow the shore toward Marina Pez Vela. The marina takes its name from the sailfish (pez vela in Spanish), the fish that made Quepos famous among anglers. Its plaza is a pleasant place for a coffee, a gelato or an early lunch by the boats.
Why it is worth the trip
Quepos is where you feel how the region really lives. It grew from a banana port into a fishing and service town, and the canton still carries the name of the Quepo people who were here first (there is more in our history and culture guide). Prices at the sodas are friendly, the fruit is excellent, and you will hear far more Spanish than English, which makes it a nice counterpoint to the hotels on the hill.
It also makes a lovely half-day pairing: market and malecón in the morning, then a boat trip, a sport fishing charter or the Damas Island mangroves in the afternoon. Planning this ahead of time? Book your boat outing with our concierge and we will match the pickup to your morning in town.
Marina Pez Vela and the waterfront
Marina Pez Vela is a full-service marina on the Quepos waterfront. Along with the boat slips there’s a plaza with restaurants, shops and tour offices. Many sport fishing charters, catamaran trips and sunset sails start or finish here, so if you’ve booked a boat outing, check whether your pickup is at your hotel or at the marina.
You don’t need a boat to enjoy it. It’s an easy place for lunch with a view of the water, or a walk at sunset. For booked ocean outings, see ocean and boat tours with ECOTICA, and for fishing, our guide to sport fishing out of Quepos.
Where to watch the sunset
Manuel Antonio faces the open Pacific, so evenings end with the sun sinking into the sea, often behind the small forested islands off the coast. Because Costa Rica sits close to the equator (Quepos is at roughly 9° north, per Marina Pez Vela’s published coordinates), the sun sets at around 6 pm all year, give or take a little. Golden hour is short and intense, so plan to be in place a good half hour early.
Our favorite spots
- Playa Espadilla. The classic. Walk the long sand at low tide, watch the surfers catch the last sets and see the islands turn to silhouettes. It is free, open every day and a short ride down the hill.
- Playitas. At the quieter northern end of Espadilla, with almond trees for shade while you wait for the colors to change.
- Marina Pez Vela. The marina describes its plaza as the meeting point for nightly sunsets and happy hours. Grab a table facing the boats and watch the light shift over the bay.
- The ridge along Route 618. Many restaurants and bars on the hill road are built on the slope with terraces looking west over the forest to the ocean. It is the view that makes Manuel Antonio famous: green canopy in the foreground, the Pacific beyond.
- From the water. A sunset boat trip lets you watch the coastline glow from offshore, sometimes with dolphins for company (see our ocean and marine life guide). Book a sunset boat trip through ECOTICA and we will arrange the pickup.
A few tips
In the green season, the afternoon clouds that bring the rain often produce the most dramatic skies of the year, all pink and violet. Bring a light layer for the boat, insect repellent for the beach after dusk, and a little patience: the best color often arrives a few minutes after the sun has gone. Back at ECOTICA, evenings continue at YOLO Social, where there is live music every night.
Route 618: the road up to Manuel Antonio
From Quepos, Route 618 climbs steeply, winds along the ridge and then drops toward the beach. This is where most of Manuel Antonio’s hotels, restaurants and bars are, many with views over the forest to the Pacific. Some places sit right on the road; others, including ECOTICA, are set back among the trees.
Getting along it
- Local bus. A public bus runs between the Quepos terminal and the park end of the road throughout the day, stopping along the way. Pay the driver in colones, in cash.
- Taxi. Licensed taxis are red with a yellow triangle on the door.
- On foot. Fine for short stretches in daylight, but the road is narrow, steep and busy. Wear something visible after dark and take care on the bends.
SINAC warns that in high season the one road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio gets very busy, so allow extra time, especially on the way to the park in the morning. More on buses, taxis and parking in getting here and getting around.
Landmarks and viewpoints on the hill road
Route 618 is short, but it packs in a surprising amount. Once you know a few landmarks, the hill road becomes easy to read, and the drive or bus ride turns into a small sightseeing tour of its own.
The climb out of Quepos
Leaving town, the road rises quickly through forest and the first hotels appear on both sides. Within minutes the views open up over the bay of Quepos behind you. This lower stretch is quieter and greener, with homes and small hotels tucked into the slope.
The ridge
At the top, the road runs along the crest of the hill. This is the busiest part of Manuel Antonio, with restaurants, bars, small shops, tour offices and many of the area’s best-known hotels. Several terraces here look straight down over the canopy to the beaches and offshore islands of the national park. Late afternoon is a beautiful time to stop for a drink with that view.
One landmark everybody asks about is El Avión, a restaurant built around a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane. The aircraft was tied to the Iran-Contra affair of the 1980s, sat unused at the San José airport for years, and was later trucked across the country and reassembled on the hillside (Frommer’s; CNN Travel). Today it is a bar and restaurant with an ocean view and a remarkable story.
Look up: the rope bridges
As you travel the road, look for blue ropes strung high between trees from one side to the other. These are wildlife bridges. Kids Saving the Rainforest, the Quepos-based non-profit, began installing them in 2000, originally for the gray-crowned Central American squirrel monkey (the mono tití), so the monkeys could cross above traffic instead of on the power lines. The organization reports more than 130 bridges in the area and around 25 species using them (National Geographic Education). If you see monkeys crossing, slow down and enjoy the moment from your seat. Our monkey guide covers all four species found in Costa Rica.
The descent to the beach
Past the ridge, the road winds down toward the sea and Manuel Antonio village. The forest is dense here and wildlife sightings from the roadside are common: sloths in the cecropia trees, capuchins in the palms, iguanas sunning on walls. Many of the same animals live on ECOTICA’s own 10-acre reserve, so you may well see them from your bungalow porch before you even set off.
Manuel Antonio village and Playa Espadilla
Where Route 618 reaches the sea, you’re in the small beach area most people simply call “Manuel Antonio”. There are restaurants, souvenir stalls, surf schools, tour vendors and chair and umbrella rentals facing Playa Espadilla, the long public beach just outside the park.
Playa Espadilla is free and open every day, which makes it the natural beach for Tuesdays when the park is closed. It’s one of the nicest beaches around, with great surf, and it’s where many beginners take surf lessons. Our concierge can arrange a class for you. The waves and currents here can be strong. Swim only where it’s calm, pay attention to flags and lifeguards where they’re on duty, and ask locally about conditions that day.
The beaches inside the park (Playa Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur and others) need a park ticket. Our beach guide compares them all.
Playitas and Playa Biesanz: two quieter beaches
Playa Espadilla gets most of the attention, but two smaller beaches outside the park are well worth knowing. Both are free and both feel a world away from the busy end of the road.
Playitas
Playitas is the northern tip of the Espadilla shoreline, separated from the main stretch by a rocky point. At low tide you can walk around the rocks along the sand; at high tide it is easier to reach by the dirt road that leads down to it. Almond trees give natural shade, and monkeys and sloths are often in the branches above. The waves here can be big, which makes it popular with experienced surfers, so choose your swimming spot with care and keep an eye on the tide so your walk back is easy.
Playa Biesanz
Biesanz is a small cove between Quepos and the national park, framed by forest on both sides. It is reached by a short path, roughly 10 to 15 minutes, that drops steeply from a side road off Route 618, so wear proper shoes rather than flip-flops for the walk. Because the cove is sheltered, the water is often calmer than at Espadilla, and on clear days it is a lovely spot for a swim or a snorkel among the rocks. Local vendors on the sand often rent kayaks and snorkel gear.
Bring water and snacks, as services on the beach are simple, and plan to leave before dark, since the forest path has no lighting. For the full comparison of every beach in the area, see our beach guide, and for what you might see underwater, our snorkeling guide.
Would you like a beach day without the planning? Our concierge can arrange transport, a surf lesson or a guided kayak and snorkel outing. Ask us for details.
The national park entrance area
The main entrance to Manuel Antonio National Park is at the end of the road, about 7 km from Quepos according to SINAC. A few things surprise first-time visitors:
- There’s no park parking. SINAC states the park has no parking for vehicles. Private lots along the approach charge a fee, which is why many people come by bus, taxi or shuttle.
- Tickets are online only. SINAC sells entry through its online booking system, not at the gate. Book before you go, and bring the passport or ID you booked with.
- People will offer you guides and tours. Some are excellent, some less so. Inside the park, SINAC lists one guiding concession: Manuel Antonio Official Tour Guides, run by the Quepos certified guides’ association. You can also book a guided walk ahead through ECOTICA.
- Tuesday is closing day. The park opens Wednesday to Monday.
Everything else you need for the day is in our national park visitor guide.
Beyond the main road
A few places visitors ask about sit outside the Quepos–park corridor:
- Damas Island estuary. A mangrove area northwest of Quepos, visited by boat or kayak. Tour times depend on the tide, so operators often confirm the exact start only a day or two ahead.
- Kids Saving the Rainforest. A non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in the Quepos area that offers guided visits. Check their website for current tours.
- Nauyaca Waterfalls. A pair of waterfalls inland from Dominical, roughly an hour’s drive south of Manuel Antonio according to the Nauyaca site. It works well as a full-day outing.
All three appear in our things to do guide.
Where to find what: banks, pharmacies, groceries and health care
The simple rule: errands in Quepos, views on the hill, sand at the end of the road. Quepos has the banks, the pharmacies, the bigger supermarkets and the hospital; the hill road has hotels, restaurants and small convenience stores; Manuel Antonio village has the beach services. Here is a quick reference.
| You need | Where to go | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and ATMs | Downtown Quepos: Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) beside the municipal market, and BAC Credomatic | Banks keep weekday business hours. The Marina Pez Vela plaza also lists banking among its services. |
| Pharmacy | Several in downtown Quepos | Bring any prescription medicine from home in its original packaging. |
| Groceries | Supermarkets in Quepos; small minisúper shops along the hill road | Quepos has the widest choice and the best prices. |
| Fresh produce | Farmers market (feria) by the malecón | Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. |
| Hospital | Hospital Max Terán Valls (CCSS), La Managua, just south of the Quepos airstrip | The area’s public general hospital, with emergency care. |
| Emergencies | Dial 911 anywhere in Costa Rica | Police, ambulance and fire on one number. |
| Long-distance buses | TRACOPA, Quepos bus terminal | Also buses from the beach end of Manuel Antonio to San José. |
| Boat departures | Marina Pez Vela, Quepos | Check whether your tour picks you up at the hotel or meets you at the marina. |
| Surf lessons, beach chairs | Playa Espadilla, Manuel Antonio village | Our concierge can book a lesson for you. |
| Park tickets | Online only, through SINAC | Bring the ID you booked with. The park opens Wednesday to Monday. |
Money
US dollars are widely accepted at hotels, tour operators and many restaurants, while the local bus, sodas, market stalls and small shops work best in colones. Cards are common in hotels and restaurants. Keep some small bills in colones for buses, tips and the farmers market; the downtown banks in Quepos are the easiest place to withdraw or change money.
Health and pharmacies
For everyday needs such as sunscreen, after-sun, insect repellent or a remedy for an upset stomach, the pharmacies in Quepos are well stocked and pharmacists are used to helping visitors. For anything more serious, Hospital Max Terán Valls is part of the public Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) network and sits at La Managua, just south of the Quepos airstrip, on the coastal highway toward Dominical (CCSS). If you need help while staying with us, our front desk will point you in the right direction or call a taxi for you.
Groceries and picnic supplies
If you are planning a beach picnic or stocking up on fruit and snacks, the Quepos supermarkets and the Friday and Saturday feria have the best variety. Along the hill road, small minisúper shops cover water, snacks and the basics. For park days, pack light: SINAC has rules on what food you may bring inside, all explained in our park visitor guide.
Where ECOTICA fits in
ECOTICA Boutique Hotel & Spa is in Manuel Antonio, on about 10 acres of rainforest a few minutes from the national park. We’re not inside the park and we’re not on the beach. Guests usually reach the park by taxi, bus or on a guided tour. If you’re still choosing an area to stay (town, hill road or near the park gate), our where to stay guide weighs up each one, and our About page tells you more about us.
Back to the Manuel Antonio & Quepos Travel Guide.
What is close by when you stay at ECOTICA
ECOTICA sits on the main road in the heart of Manuel Antonio, on its own 10-acre private rainforest reserve, a few minutes from the national park and the beaches. That location gives you the best of both worlds: the restaurants, the bus and the beach are close, and yet your bungalow or suite looks out over forest rather than traffic.
Without leaving the grounds
The reserve itself is one of the best places in the area to watch wildlife at an easy pace. Most days bring howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins and squirrel monkeys, both two-toed and three-toed sloths, coatis and agoutis on the ground, the occasional deer, snakes and lizards, toucans, butterflies, and a pair of scarlet macaws that nests in the royal palms (read the macaw story). Mornings and late afternoons are the liveliest times; our wildlife hour-by-hour guide explains why.
Everything at ECOTICA is also open to visitors staying elsewhere in Manuel Antonio:
- La POZA, the poolside restaurant and bar, from 6 am to 9 pm, with happy hour from 3 to 6 pm.
- YOLO Social, our bar and restaurant, from 11 am to 11 pm, with live music every night and sports on big screens.
- Jungle Spa, open daily from 7 am to 7 pm for massages, couples treatments and facials. Reserve your treatment ahead to choose your time.
A short ride away
- The national park and Playa Espadilla: a few minutes downhill by bus, taxi or tour transport. Since the park has no parking of its own, leaving the car at the hotel keeps the morning simple.
- The restaurants and viewpoints of the ridge: along the same road, so dinner with a view is close at hand.
- Quepos, the marina and the farmers market: down the hill in the other direction, by bus or taxi.
The local bus stops along the main road, and our front desk is happy to call a licensed taxi for you. For tours, our concierge arranges pickups at the hotel, which takes care of transport entirely. Planning your days in advance? Book your tours with our concierge or check dates and rates for your stay.
Quepos and Manuel Antonio: questions and answers
What is Quepos like compared to Manuel Antonio?
Quepos is a practical town with lower prices and easy errands; Manuel Antonio, on the hill road, puts you among the forest, the views and the wildlife, a few minutes from the park and beaches. Our where to stay guide compares both.
How far is Quepos from the Manuel Antonio National Park entrance?
About 7 km, according to SINAC, along Route 618. The bus or a taxi covers it in well under an hour; traffic in high season sets the pace.
Where is the nearest hospital?
Hospital Max Terán Valls, part of the public CCSS network, is in La Managua just south of the Quepos airstrip, on the coastal highway toward Dominical. For any emergency in Costa Rica, dial 911.
Are there ATMs in Manuel Antonio?
The full set of banks and ATMs is in downtown Quepos, including Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica and BAC Credomatic. It is handy to withdraw some colones there for buses, sodas and the farmers market.
When is the Quepos farmers market?
The feria is held next to the malecón on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings. Go early on Saturday for the best fruit and produce.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Manuel Antonio?
Playa Espadilla and Playitas for sand and silhouettes, the Marina Pez Vela plaza for a drink by the boats, the terraces along the ridge for the forest-and-ocean view, or a sunset boat trip. The sun sets around 6 pm all year.
What are the blue ropes across the road in Manuel Antonio?
They are wildlife bridges installed by the non-profit Kids Saving the Rainforest, first for squirrel monkeys, so animals can cross above traffic. Around 25 species have been recorded using them.
Is Playa Biesanz free, and how do you get there?
Yes, it is free. It is reached by a short, steep forest path of roughly 10 to 15 minutes from a side road off Route 618; wear good shoes and leave before dark.
Can I see wildlife without going into the national park?
Very often, yes. Monkeys, sloths, toucans and iguanas live all along the hill road, and at ECOTICA guests regularly see all three local monkey species, sloths and scarlet macaws on the hotel’s own 10-acre reserve. See our wildlife guide.
Can ECOTICA book tours that leave from Marina Pez Vela?
Yes. Our concierge books boat trips, sport fishing, mangrove tours and more, and confirms whether pickup is at the hotel or at the marina. Book your tour here.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring: plan your arrival with our getting here and getting around guide, make the most of a park morning with the national park visitor guide, find ideas in things to do and waterfalls and day trips, and put it all together with our sample itineraries. Back to the Manuel Antonio & Quepos Travel Guide.
Arrive with everything ready
Now that you know what lies where, let us handle the rest, from the airport road to your first evening:
- Book guided outings: the national park with a naturalist guide, mangrove and boat trips, zip lines or a rafting day, wherever on the map they lead
- Save a Jungle Spa slot: your quiet corner of the map for massages, couples treatments, facials and body rituals
- Skip the taxi hunt: a private transfer from San José, US$195 each way for up to 5 people
- Write to our concierge: a table in town, a celebration or any special plan, arranged before you set out
- Find your room: check dates and rates for our bungalows and suites and put ECOTICA on your map
Sources for our Quepos and Manuel Antonio map guide
- SINAC – Manuel Antonio National Park (official English page on the park’s location and access)
- SINAC – Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio (official Spanish page: opening hours, fees and services at the park)
- Wikipedia – National Route 618 (Costa Rica), the road linking Quepos and Manuel Antonio
- Frommer’s – getting around by official red taxi
- Municipalidad de Quepos – Historia del cantón (background on the town and its districts)
Photos: Bert Mulder, Roger Arce, Jake Marsee, Diego Madrigal / Pexels.
