Quepos Costa Rica is the closest town to Manuel Antonio National Park and it is a charming travel destination which, what I thought, has a bit of European feel. It reminded me a little of the north-western coastal area of Italy but with more heat.

Quepos Costa Rica used to be a small sleepy, provincial town. Quepo's inhabitants were fisherman, merchants and plantation workers. However, today, Quepos is a tourist center providing travel and tourism services for the boat-loads of visitors from abroad. The primary reason to visit is for eco-tourism. The wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant and successful at Manuel Antonio.

Quepos is located 7-km (4 mi) from Manuel Antonio National Park and is the gateway to this park. Quepos is an appealing place to stay. It has an attractive small town charm and provides a great list of travel and tourism services.

During the 20th century, Quepos exported bananas abroad but this industry came to an end due to disease and labor issue. Now, there are African oil palms that stretch in rows around Quepos. These rows of palms have a certain charm and appeal.

Quepos Costa Rica travel activities are as follows:

• Quepos Costa Rica Travel Activities — Sport fishing: From December to April there is good offshore fishing and plenty of outfitters.
• Quepos Costa Rica Travel Activities — Diving: Dive sites are still being developed but there are several outfitters.
• Quepos Costa Rica Travel Activities — Touring: Several tour operators take visitors on rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, walking and fishing tours.

Quepos Costa Rica Hotels

• Quepos Costa Rica Hotels — Hotel Sirena is a boutique hotel with 14 rooms providing air condition, refrigerators, tv, swimming pool, safety deposit box and laundry services.
• Quepos Costa Rica Hotels — Wide-Moth Frog Backpackers Hostel is a backpackers hostel with pool, communal kitchen, dining and tv rooms. Dorm and private rooms are available. The latter are same-sex rooms with shared hot-water showers. While the former have private baths.
• Quepos Costa Rica Hotels — Best Western Hotel Kamuk is a historic building with colonial charm and offers 44 air-conditioned rooms with hot water and cable tv.

Quepos Costa Rica Drinking & Entertainment

Quepos has a bit of a more sophisticated night scene than other destinations such as Jaco, including a casino at the Best Western.

Quepos Costa Rica to Manuel Antonio National Park

From the port of Quepos Costa Rica, the road swings inland for 7-km (4 mi) before reaching Manuel Antonio village and the entrance of the national park. The hills on this road are filled with hotels with ocean views.

More notably, this travel destination is regarded as the most popular gay travel destination in Costa Rica and most of the day time activity is at La Playita, while the night time scene moves to upscale clubs.

Quepos Manuel Antonio Travel Services

• Internet: Several cafes in town offering Internet service.
• Money: A bank with 24-hour ATM is available.
• Tourist information: La Buena Nota offers good information for this area.

Quepos Manuel Antonio Activities

• Learning: there are several schools providing Spanish language instruction.
• White water rafting: outfitters offer rafting trips on the Savegre and Naranjo rivers.
• Relaxing: spa treatments are available offering couple?s massages and scrubs.

Things to see in or near Quepos Manuel Antonio

• Playa Espadilla: A 2-km (1.25 mi) long beach, there are other beaches tucked around in tiny coves. Visitors can hike to these coves.
• Fincas Naturales Butterfly Garden: A nature reserve that has 16-hectares (39-acres) of grounds with trials and a butterfly garden, snake pit and crocodile lagoon.

Quepos Manuel Antonio drinking & entertainment

There are some good nightclubs and the scene changes rapidly so inquire with cab drivers and reception at your hotel.

Manuel Antonio vacation planning resources and tools:

• Quepos Manuel Antonio Park travel ideas.
• Quepos Manuel Antonio National Park hotels and accommodations.
• Quepos Manuel Antonio National Park youth hostels and plenty of budget options.
• Quepos Manuel Antonio National Park villa rentals offer an opportunity to relax in luxury.
• Vacation & condo rentals in Quepos Manuel Antonio National Park
• Quepos Manuel Antonio tours take you out to places that aren't so easy to access on your own.
• Quepos Manuel Antonio vacation ideas might pump up your vacation a notch.
• Living in Quepos Manuel Antonio National Park is a growing industry with many expats giving it a try.
• Quepos Manuel Antonio National Park real estate is growing in popularity with foreigners.
• Costa Rica Central Pacific Coast is where Manuel Antonio National Park is located. Get oriented by reading about what's around Manuel Antonio National Park
• Travel destinations in Costa Rica is a list of destinations in Costa Rica in alphabetical order.