Pura Vida View
Quepos / Manuel Antonio
And Surrounding Area
Getting There
There are several airlines that fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), which is the closest international airport to Quepos. We fly direct from Dallas on American Airlines, they offer two direct flights per day. Several other major cities also have direct flights. Be prepared during very busy travel seasons to sometimes wait a long time in the customs line.
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Once you land in San Jose, you have a few options as to how you will travel south to Quepos. We almost always rent a car so that we have our own transportation. The car rental place is a short shuttle ride across from the airport. However, you can also take a bus, a private or semi-private van, or if you are adventurous and want to get there as quickly as possible, you can take a short flight.
If you choose to fly it is really nice to get there quickly, but it is also a beautiful drive and as long as you don't have any major traffic issues, it's worth doing at least once. There are some great places to stop along the drive...I have listed some of our favorite spots below.
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There are four regularly operating airlines in Costa Rica. We chose Sansa Airlines from the Quepos / Manuel Antonio domestic airport to San Jose. I was very nervous, but the flight was quick and the views were amazing. Also, flights are not that expensive so if you don't mind flying on small single or double prop planes this is a quick and easy way to get from San Jose to several areas in Costa Rica.
A Few Facts
Language: Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica and is also the most widely spoken language. Most tour guides and tourist areas also speak English
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Currency: The Colón is the currency of Costa Rica, it was named after Christopher Columbus. Symbols are CRC, â‚¡
1 Costa Rican Colón currently (August 2024) equals .0019 US Dollars. The US dollar is widely accepted.
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Passport: A valid passport is required for entry and exit.
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Getting Around: The road conditions across the country vary. Some roads are well maintained while others are not even paved and during the rainy season some are impassable when rivers swell. Cars, motorcycles and buses are the main sources of transportation.
Safety: Petty crime is the predominant threat, however tourists should be aware of their surroundings, do not display signs of wealth such as wearing expensive jewelry or carrying expensive items on display​
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Food and Water Safety: The food is so fresh and delicious almsost anywhere you go, it's often grown or raised right near where you are consuming it. The water is clean and safe to drink, plus it tastes great.
Best
Time
To
Visit
In my opinion every day is the best time to visit, it is beautiful year round and also one of my favorite places on earth so I may be a little biased.
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The Dry Season (December - April) is the most popular and expensive time to visit. The weather is great most days and it's just after the rainy season so everything is lush.
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The Rainy Season (May - November) can be a less expensive time to visit and you may experience daily storms, but don't let the weather deter you. I have been during this time of year many times and even if it rains, it rarely lasts all day and the storms are really beautiful and cool off a hot day! And it is the rainfall that makes this tropical country so beautiful
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The Shoulder Season (September - October) is often when the heaviest rains occur, but again they rarely last all day. This is the slow season so you can get some great deals. However, some places do close during Oct.
Explore
There are so many fun things to do and see in all of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio and the surrounding areas offer endless opportunities for many adventures, exploring, or just relaxing. There are so many fun tours available you will surely find something for everyone in your group.
In 2011, Manuel Antonio's National Park was named by Forbes as one of the world's most beautiful parks. It is surrounded by a 135,000-acre marine reserve and is Costa Rica's number one tourist destination. You can take a tour through the park or explore on your own. You do have to purchase tickets online, it is open daily (except Tuesdays) from 7 am - 4 pm. The park contains three beautiful beaches, jungle trails, a dense and tropical rainforest teaming with an abundance of wildlife. It is definitely worth a visit when you are in the area.
There are two main beaches inside the park, Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach (voted one of the top 25 beaches in the world by Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Award 2019), they are about a 30-minute hike from the main entrance of the park.
Dining
Sodas
Sodas are what Ticos (Costa Ricans) call local traditional restaurants
There are so many delicious restaurants in Costa Rica, I don't think I have ever really had anything there that I didn't enjoy. We love to eat and have tried many of the restaurants in Quepos, Manuel Antonio and surrounding cities.
I have fallen in love with the quality of care that goes into the preparation of the fresh local ingredients and traditional Costa Rican food! With a variety of different cuisines and atmospheres, there are so many options to choose from...you may need a few visits to try them all : )
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Arroz con Pollo is on almost every menu in Costa Rica...I like to make it at home, check out my recipe
Where to Stay
There are many beautiful resorts, boutique hotels, and private homes to choose from in the Quepos / Manuel Antonio area.
We almost always stay at Casa Bella Vista, my husband's family home, it is truly spectacular. I don't think there could be a better view. The home can accommodate up to ten people, has the best staff and a concierge that will help you with planning every detail of your visit.
Click below to learn more or if you are interested in booking a stay at this magnificent home.
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A couple of years ago while planning our wedding we checked out several resorts and private homes in the area looking for places for our guests to stay.
We also ended up staying at a couple of them.
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Here are some of the Best Places to Stay in Manuel Antonio and Quepos
