Your Guide to Quepos, Costa Rica

Travel Smart: Insider Tips & Highlights

Costa Rica is the perfect choice for travelers seeking stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures, delectable local cuisine, and rich cultural experiences. This remarkable country boasts a diverse array of environments, including cloud forests, rainforests, pristine beaches, and coastlines along both the Pacific and Caribbean. Each region and ecosystem is a testament to the warmth, knowledge, and passion of the Costa Rican people and the Pura Vida life mantra.

Aerial view of the sea around with the trees on a sunny day near Los Altos Resort

Geography

Nestled at the heart of Central America, Costa Rica shares its borders with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. To the west, it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, while the Caribbean Sea graces its eastern coast. Situated between latitudes 8° and 12°N, and longitudes 82° and 86°W, the country covers a total area of 51,100 sq km, including 589 sq km of territorial waters. Costa Rica boasts a magnificent coastline of 1,290 km, with 1,016 km along the Pacific and 212 km along the Caribbean.

Nearly 25% of Costa Rica's national territory is protected by the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), which oversees all the country's protected areas.

Provinces

Costa Rica, though small in size, is divided into seven provinces, eighty-one cantons, and four hundred and sixty-three districts. The provinces include San Jose (located in the Central Valley), Cartago (found in the East Central Valley), Alajuela (situated in Central-North), Limon (bordering the Caribbean Coast), Guanacaste (in the North Pacific region), Heredia (in Center-North), and Puntarenas (encompassing the Central and South Pacific). Notably, the capital cities of the provincial cities share the same name as their respective provinces, except for Liberia in Guanacaste.

Climate

Costa Rica boasts a tropical climate year-round, but it showcases incredible diversity due to its topography, elevation, geography, and varying rainfall patterns. Seasons in Costa Rica are primarily defined by rainfall, resulting in two main seasons: the dry season (summer) from December to April and the rainy season (winter) from May to November.

Economic Activities

Costa Rica's economy thrives on several key industries, including eco-tourism, pharmaceuticals, software development, and financial outsourcing. Notably, eco-tourism has become a major contributor, attracting significant foreign investment. In fact, since 1999, earnings from eco-tourism have surpassed the combined exports of the country's top three cash crops: coffee, pineapples, and bananas. Costa Rica has firmly established itself as one of the most sought-after destinations in Central America, drawing visitors from all over the world who come to experience its protected areas and national parks.

Portrait of a Macaw Bird flying in the woods near Los Altos Resort

A couple laying on the sand and overlooking the sea near Los Altos Resort

Lifestyle

Experience the vibrant essence of Costa Rica through the beloved phrase 'Pura Vida,' a heartfelt greeting that encapsulates the pure and abundant life embraced by its people. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of this music-loving nation, where guitar strums harmonize with salsa, cumbia, bachata, soca, merengue, and lively folk dances, uniting generations.

Beyond cultural richness, Costa Rica values health, offering high-quality medical care and promoting a nourishing diet. Savor the tropical paradise that abounds with mangoes, pineapples, watermelons, and a bounty of other fruits. Indulge in the finest seafood, including lobster, shrimp, and mahi-mahi, at local restaurants, all while dining safely amid Costa Rica's dedication to sanitation and accessible potable water. This is the pure life—Pura Vida—in every sense.

Nature & Wildlife

Costa Rica proudly dedicates almost 25 percent of its land to protected areas and national parks, embodying a commitment to preserving its natural treasures. With a bold aim to become the world's first carbon-neutral nation by 2021, Costa Rica leads the way in sustainable practices.

The country's geography is a captivating tapestry of volcanoes, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and islands, offering a diverse playground for nature enthusiasts. Lush lowland forests, adorned with towering trees and dense foliage, resemble intricate biological communities. The rich ecosystem of Costa Rica is a dream come true for naturalists, encompassing mountains, tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and inviting coastal beaches.

Wildlife thrives in Costa Rica, with a prolific presence of animals and birds making them remarkably easy to spot. Within the protected areas and parks, you'll encounter playful monkeys swinging from branches, vibrantly colored tree frogs and lizards, sloths leisurely hanging on tree curves, and majestic jaguars and tapirs coexisting with other exotic creatures.

For birdwatchers, Costa Rica is a paradise, boasting more than twice the number of bird species found in the entire USA. From the elusive quetzal to toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots, and hummingbirds, these avian wonders grace the treetops with their vibrant plumage. Additionally, the country hosts an array of butterfly species, including the majestic giant morpho butterfly, surpassing even the diversity found on the entire African continent. Costa Rica truly stands as a haven for both wildlife enthusiasts and admirers of the natural world.

Activities

Costa Rica entices with a wealth of exciting and enjoyable activities for all! On land, you can enjoy thrilling rainforest and volcano treks, explore the countryside on horseback, immerse yourself in birdwatching, experience the adrenaline rush of canopy ziplining, hit the trails on a mountain biking adventure, observe captivating wildlife, and even challenge yourself with rappelling and more.

For those drawn to the water, Costa Rica's coastal wonders beckon. Take a dip in the clear waters, catch some waves while surfing, try your hand at windsurfing, brave the exhilarating rapids with whitewater rafting, discover the underwater world through snorkeling and scuba diving, or engage in the excitement of fishing.

These activities can be tailored to your preferences, whether you seek single-day adventures or multi-day escapades, ensuring your Costa Rican experience is as unforgettable as it is diverse