Quepos drapes itself across a tropical inlet surrounded by primary rainforest. Formally mangrove vegetation, Quepos was originally inhabited by the Quepoa Indians, who demised in the late 1800´s. Gradually the mangroves gave way to infrastructure as the development of banana plantations in the area, and later African palms, led to Quepos coming to prominence as a port town. Despite limited accessibility to the area, by the 1960s word of the natural beauty within the region had begun to spread, attracting adventurous travelers, surfers, and sport fishing captains, including the Captain Bill Gannon who helped spearhead Costa Rica's catch and release program.
Established in 1972, the Manuel Antonio National Park remains Costa Rica's smallest, yet the diversity of wildlife within its borders are unequaled. With 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds, National Geographic has recognized the zone as one of the most biologically diverse in the world. The beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests and incredible variety of wildlife attract sun-lovers, nature enthusiasts, deep-sea fishermen and those seeking adventure and relaxation alike.
Today, as a year-round tourism destination, Quepos fills to the brim with families, fishermen, honeymooners, surfers, eco-tourists, and jet-setters alike. The friendly locals are tremendous hosts of their culture, going out of their way to make sure everyone has a good time. The Quepos town centre consists of about a six-block square of restaurants, bars, hotels, bakeries, clothing and book stores, art galleries and gift shops. Quepos is linked to the Manuel Antonio National Park and public beach area by a main road, between which, locals and visitors can find just about everything. Bio-corridors, known locally as 'monkey highways', run throughout the area, allowing monkeys to travel safely up and down the coast along linked rope systems.
Now home to an increasingly international community, visitors often purchase homes to enjoy the quality lifestyle and tranquil environment, year after year.
The area offers a rich variety of leisure pursuits including community events, water sports, sailing, fishing, fine dining, conservation projects, and outdoor activities.
