The real town behind the resort hill: a farmers' market, cheap sodas, a seafront walk and a marina full of sportfishing boats.
Quepos sits at the bottom of the hill road to Manuel Antonio, a small port town that grew up shipping bananas and later palm oil from the plantations along the coast.
It's where locals live and shop: banks, supermarkets, the bus terminal, cheap sodas and a seafront walk along the sea wall. On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, a farmers' market fills a hall near the waterfront with tropical fruit, cheese, bread and street food.
South of the centre, the Marina Pez Vela has around 200 slips, with restaurants and cafés along the boardwalk. From December to April it's a base for sportfishing, mostly catch-and-release sailfish, with half-day charters from about US$600.
Sunset catamarans, snorkel trips and whale-watching boats leave from the same docks.
A Saturday morning in town.
Start at the market for fruit, coffee and breakfast from the food stalls.
Use the banks and shops, and stop for a casado at a soda.
Walk along the sea wall with views across the bay.
Stroll the boardwalk and watch the fishing boats come and go.
Board a catamaran for a sunset cruise, or eat by the water.
Frequent local buses run between Quepos and Manuel Antonio; long-distance buses to San José leave from the terminal.
Quepos has the most reliable ATMs and banks in the area.
