Major city · Costa Rica
Quepos
Base in Quepos 2–3 nights for Manuel Antonio park and the marina; skip it as a beach town on its own — the beach is 6 km away.Base in Quepos 2–3 nights for Manuel Antonio park and the marina; skip it as a beach town on its own — the beach is 3.7 mi away.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid Sep–Oct (wettest)
- Airports
- XQP · SJO
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Quepos is the service town for Manuel Antonio National Park: buses, banks, cheaper beds and the sportfishing marina, with the park and beaches 6 km down the road. Most travellers sleep here 2–3 nights, ride the local bus to the park gate at opening, and use the town for errands rather than sunbathing. Dry season runs Dec–Apr; the green season is cheaper and wetter.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Quepos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyQuepos is a working town, not a resort: petty theft around the bus terminal and beach car parks is the main risk…
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckXQP Quepos La Managua (About 10 min by taxi to town or the Manuel Antonio road; small domestic field, check the current entry/exit fee).
- Getting aroundThe local bus runs between Quepos and Manuel Antonio roughly every 30 min during the day and is the cheapest way to the park…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₡1,500–3,000
- Beerbar / supermarket₡2,500–4,000₡1,200–2,000
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride₡400–700 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₡8,000–15,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 9,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCRC 65,000
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCRC 130,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 25,000 · Mid CRC 55,000 · High CRC 120,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- XQP Quepos La Managua (About 10 min by taxi to town or the Manuel Antonio road; small domestic field, check the current entry/exit fee) · SJO San José Juan Santamaría (About 3.5–4.5 h by road; the usual arrival point for international flights)
Weather and climate
Quepos: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
4 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
22°C72°F
3 rd
Mar
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
3 rd
Apr
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
May
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
16 rd
Jun
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
19 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
23°C73°F
20 rd
Aug
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
21 rd
Sep
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
22 rd
Oct
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
23 rd
Nov
28°C82°F
22°C72°F
17 rd
Dec
29°C84°F
22°C72°F
8 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The local bus runs between Quepos and Manuel Antonio roughly every 30 min during the day and is the cheapest way to the park; pay the driver in colones. Taxis cover the same 6 km. Scooter and car rental exist but parking near the park is limited in high season.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Manuel Antonio National Park
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Local bus or taxi from Quepos centre to the park gate, about 6 kmLocal bus or taxi from Quepos centre to the park gate, about 3.7 mi
Buy a dated online ticket before you travel; go at opening for wildlife and cooler trails.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or car north up the coastal highway
Surf town with more nightlife; fine as a stop, not worth a return day from Quepos.
Puntarenas
cautionDoor to door: 2–3 h
Bus from the Quepos terminal
Ferry port for the Nicoya peninsula; useful as a transfer, thin as a day out.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus or car south on the coastal highway
Surf beach and waterfall country; a full day or a one-night add-on.
Santa Elena and Monteverde
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h
Shuttle or car via the coastal and mountain roads
Too far for a day: sleep at least two nights.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Quepos centre
Bus terminal, market, banks and the cheapest beds; 6 km from the park gate.Bus terminal, market, banks and the cheapest beds; 3.7 mi from the park gate.
Manuel Antonio road
Hotels and restaurants between Quepos and the park; thinner infrastructure, more taxis needed.
Manuel Antonio village
Closest to the park entrance and beach; highest prices, book early in Dec–Apr.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡25,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡45,000–80,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡90,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 3 nights × CRC 65,000 | CRC 195,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × CRC 55,000 | CRC 330,000 |
| Manuel Antonio park entry, one day2 × CRC 11,000 · check | CRC 22,000 |
| Local bus Quepos ↔ Manuel Antonio, both ways2 × CRC 1,400 · check | CRC 2,800 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CRC 12,000 | CRC 24,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 57,400 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 105,200 per person per day, bed included | CRC 631,200 |
2026 estimate in colones; international flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₡1,500–3,000 |
| Ceviche at the market | ₡3,000–6,000 |
| Casado or soda lunch | ₡4,500–8,000 |
| Beer: bar / supermarket | ₡2,500–4,000 / ₡1,200–2,000 |
| Local bus ride | ₡400–700 (check) |
| Taxi Quepos → Manuel Antonio | ₡6,000–10,000 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₡8,000–15,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Park entry is capped and tickets are sold online by date: buy before you travel, no ticket means no entry.
- Parking touts on the Manuel Antonio road wave you into lots and demand high fees; agree the price first.
- Some San José-bound bus drivers offer a taxi connection to the airport mid-route: decline and arrange your own transfer.
- Rip currents at Manuel Antonio beaches; swim where lifeguards are posted.
- Afternoon downpours May–Nov; plan park mornings.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QueposQuepos
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
Embassy
No embassies in Quepos; most are in San José (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus San José → Quepos: about US$8, 3.5–4.5 h (check)
- Local bus Quepos → Manuel Antonio: about ₡400–700, 20–30 min (check)
- Taxi XQP airport → Quepos or Manuel Antonio: about US$20 (check)
Say or show
- Con permiso / Perdón — Excuse me / Sorry (con per-MEE-so / per-DON)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWE-do pa-GAR kon tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Dónde está la parada de bus? — Where is the bus stop? (DON-de es-TA la pa-RA-da de boos)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
Park tickets are sold online by date; screenshot the QR code before you lose signal.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Quepos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid Sep–Oct (wettest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for XQP and SJO: last shuttle times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Quepos centre and market, the marina, the Manuel Antonio road, the park gate.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (park gate, marina, bus terminal) and eat pages with last orders.
- Green-season and storm fixtures so gates A–D can go green.