Quepos is a small city located in western Costa Rica that is a popular gateway to the surfing spots and other outdoor activities on the country’s Pacific Coast. Located just a three-hour drive or a 40-minute flight from the capital of San Jose, Quepos is a lovely coastal town located just four miles (seven kilometers) from the Manuel Antonio National Park.

Despite its relative popularity as a tourist hotspot, Quepos has managed to preserve its authentic “Tico” charm. The city has a population of around 25,000 people and is a great place to find grocery stores, cafes, bars, and restaurants serving up delicious seafood and other traditional Costa Rican food.

Quepos is often used as a staging ground to explore the rest of the Pacific Coast, including activities such as sailing, sport fishing, and surfing. And due to its proximity to the Manuel Antonio National Forest, Quepos is conveniently close to beaches, waterfalls, river estuaries, mangrove forests, and pristine coastal areas that are ideal for activities like kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing, horseback riding, bird watching, and stand-up paddling.

This charming coastal town may be relatively small, but it’s very simple to explore thanks to its well-maintained streets aligned in a logical grid pattern. Quepos is also famous for having some of the friendliest people in Costa Rica, an attraction unto itself, and has a very active nightlife scene and is a great place to enjoy holidays and festivals in Costa Rica.

Quepos is the capital of the Aguirre canton in Puntarenas Province in the middle of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. The city is named for a native tribe called the Quepo that lived in the region during the colonial era. On the map, Quepos is only 37 miles (60 kilometers) from the capital, San Jose, but mountains and other terrain make the journey last around three hours.

To get to Quepos, Sansa Airlines offers domestic flights from San Jose, the Costa Rican capital. Flying time is around 40 minutes and the airfare is around $100 for a one-way flight. Public buses departing from the Tracopa bus station in downtown San Jose depart every 30 minutes for Quepos, and the price is around $8. Quepos is known for its abundance of restaurants that specialize in ceviche, a marinated seafood dish.

If you’re interested in enjoying a great surfing vacation in the Quepos area, be sure to book your tour with Manuel Antonio Surf School and Camp.