mschwik

Can anyone who has recently been to Quepos give me some feedback as to whether or not they liked the town. I have read quite a few trip reports and forum contents on various sites that seem to say that Quepos is a rather dirty smelly little town while other people say it is a nice working class town with decent little sodas, etc. Same thing with Manuel Antonio Park-many people seem to feel it is a waste of time to visit as it is overcrowded and too touristy but others says it is still beautiful and worth a visit. I realize that it is of course a matter of opinion but I would love to hear some positive things about the area! My daughter and I are going to Costa Rica in late November/early December. We will spent two nights in Quepos, then Dominical, Drake Bay, Monteverde, Arenal and end in Playa Samara. Thanks!

volcanogirl

We've always stayed in the Manuel Antonio area close to the park. That's where most people stay when they go - pretty area with lots of open air restaurants. The park can get crowded, but it's beautiful and full of wildlife - lots of monkeys, sloths, etc. We really love Tulemar Bungalows - they have their own beach and lots of wildlife on site, great service. Friends of ours stayed in Quepos, and the house they rented got broken into while they were there. They weren't fans of Quepos.

Pat_Hewitt

Quepos is the largest town in the region. So it is where the locals from the surrounding area come to go buy groceries, bank, go to the hardware store, etc. So it has always been more of a local's town than a tourism spot. There are a couple of restaurants and gift shops. But not much for tourists.

Like any popular tourist beach town, there is a small element that takes advantage of tourists who are not paying attention. So you need to be aware. Don't leave belongings in an unattended car, etc.

There is a 4½ mile road that runs along the coast between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. That is where the best hotels are, and lots of restaurants. So most folks stay there.

The park is beautiful. It can get crowded during the busiest holidays (Christmas and Easter weeks). But you are going at a kind of sweet spot. There seems to be a calm before the (Christmas) storm in early December. Crowds shouldn't be a huge issue.

Personally, I think two nights is a little short. But I don't know how you have scheduled your other days. It can be slow moving around Costa Rica. Two nights effectively gives you only one full day here. I think this area warrants more time.

I hope this helps. Let me know if I can offer any further advice.

Warm Regards,

Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional

volcanogirl

I'd stay at least three nights in MA if you can, agree with Pat that two days is too short.

mschwik

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am staying in Quepos at an AirBnB for two nights and then going a little further down the coast to Dominical. I am hoping we will be able to do some whale watching and hiking in that area. Any suggestions. Also, has anyone gone to the Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation tour recently? Both my daughter and I love to cook and work with a cooking school part-time here in the Seattle area. We are trying to decide if it is worth our time and money.

volcanogirl

Yes, we did the Villa Vanilla spice tour and really enjoyed it a lot. You tour the gardens, and they show you all the plants/gardens and where cinnamon, vanilla, cacao, etc. come from, and then at the end they gave us all these little desserts and drinks made from their harvest. There was a pretty view as well. We really enjoyed it. There is also a little shop where you can buy fresh peppercorns, vanilla beans, etc. I love to bake so it was cool to see where everything comes from. I had no idea cinnamon was the bark of a tree or that vanilla comes from orchids.

cotindian51

I really like Manuel Antonio National Park area…nice beaches inside the park…a lot of animals…nice roads from San Jose all the way…I was there yesterday…Quepos is like many of our small towns…really not much to see

If you can spend time and money in a Hotel near Manuel Antonio for me and with all my respect that will be my choice.

cot indian