Quepos travel guide

History

The earliest interactions with the Quepo people of the peninsula took place in 1519, but it was not until Juan Vásquez de Coronado began his exploits in Costa Rica in 1563 that the Spanish conquerors got a foothold in the country. By 1570 the first mission in the country had been created in nearby San Bernadino. Fortunes waned for the indígenas and the population declined rapidly and the mission closed in 1747. Activity in the region recommenced with the small-scale planting of bananas in the area in the early 1900s, which was later adopted by the United Fruit Company who began plantation production in the 1930s. Development of the port and docks began at the expense of mangroves but sigatoka disease hit in the 1940s followed by Panama disease in the 1950s, which virtually wiped out the industry. Partial economic recovery came with the introduction of African palms which produce the oil used in margarine and soap. The seeds of tourism were planted in the 1970s and early 1980s when a few isolated cabins peopled by a lucky few enjoyed the unspoilt beauty of the area. Add word of mouth, passing on news of the beauty of the place, and a few decades of development and the rest is history.

Air

There are 8 daily flights from San José, 4 with SANSA (US$53 one way) and 4 with NatureAir (US$66 one way). Book in advance either with Lynch Tours, or direct. In Quepos the SANSA office is under Hotel Quepos, T2777-0683. Minibuses and taxis meet arriving flights at the airport, which is about 4 km from Quepos.

Bus

Buses leave the capital from the Coca Cola Terminal. There are 4 express buses a day leaving San José at 0600, 1200, 1800 and 1930, returning at 0600, 0930, 1200, 1500 (Sat only) and 17001230, 1900, 3½ hrs, US$4.30, book a day in advance, 4 regular buses, 5 hrs, US$4.20. From Quepos there are buses northwest along the coast stopping at Jacó before continuing to Puntarenas, 0430, 0730, 1030 and 1500, return 0500, 1100, 1430 and 1630, 3 hrs, US$2.80. 2 daily buses via Dominical to San Isidro de El General, 0500 and 1330, 3½ hrs, US$2.90, connections can be made there to get to the Panamanian border, return 0700 and 1330.

Car hire

Alamo, 100 m north of the post office, T2777-3344, www.alamo costarica.com. Excellent have an office in Quepos, T2777-3052, www.excellentcar rental.com.

Taxi

Taxis line up on the street opposite the bus terminal, just up from Dos Locos restaurant.

Banks

Banco Nacional, Banco Popular and Banco San José all have a Visa ATMs. The best place to exchange TCs or US$ cash is at Distribuidora Puerto Quepos, opposite Banco de Costa Rica, open 0900-1700, no paperwork, no commission, all done in 2 mins, same rate as banks.

Internet

Internet Quepos, in the centre of town, T2777-4411. Fast machines, a/c offices, good technical knowledge. There is also an internet café at the eastern end of town, near Iguana Surf.

Language schools

There are a couple of schools on the road out to the national park. La Escuela D’Amore is in a great setting overlooking the ocean, half-way between Quepos and the national park. Focusses and stresses the benefits of immersion learning, T2777-1143, http://www.escueladamore.com. US$845 for 2 weeks, US$995 with homestay. Costa Rica Spanish Institute, T2777-0021, http://www.cosi.co.cr. US$350 for 4 hrs a day, US$495 with homestay. Pacífico Spanish School, beside Cabinas Pedro Miguel, T2777-0805. One of the oldest schools in the area, currently undergoing a relaunch. Sí Sé Spanish School, T2777-4642. US$630 for 2 weeks, US$830 with homestay.

Laundry

Lavanderías de Costa Rica, near the football pitch on the road out to Manuel Antonio.

Medical services

The hospital is out of town near the airstrip, call T2777- 0922, or the Red Cross on T2777-0118.

Post office

Post office is on the walkway by the football pitch, open 0800-1700.

Useful addresses

Immigration: on the same street as the Banco de Costa Rica. Police: T2777-0196.