Quepos Vs. Manuel Antonio: Where Should I Stay?

Quepos

Quepos, Costa Rica is a quaint harbor town located just outside of Manuel Antonio. As one would expect from a small fishing village, it maintains all of its old town charm. Quepos is a great option for those looking to stay slightly off the beaten tourist track, but still minutes from the national park. Here are just some of the reasons that put Quepos on our must-see list:

1. A more authentic feel

Quepos is paradise for anyone looking for a culturally immersive stay. It has all of the local flavor of an authentic Costa Rican town, while still providing top notch bars, restaurants, live music, and stellar views. Exploring the old streets in town lined with cute Costa Rican homes, watching the sunset at the marina with all the locals, picking up fresh fruit at the farmer’s market (La Feria), and fresh baked bread at the panaderià - these are just some of the things that make Quepos a backpacker’s and true travel lover’s paradise.

2. Walkability 

For travelers who prefer to commute by foot and are looking to avoid using taxis or renting a car, Quepos is the perfect place to base yourself. When arriving in San Jose, the Tracopa bus station will take you directly to the center of town in Quepos. From there, everything is walkable and, due to its small size, comfortably accessible by foot. There are tons of great natural spots to visit as well, like Parque Nahomi, which offers breathtaking 360 degree views and a fully equipped outdoor calisthenics gym. This municipal park is also home to Playa Maracas where you can swim like a local or even launch a kayak. And, if you are feeling especially athletic and adventurous, Quepos is the perfect location to commence the El Reto Mae hike.

3. Avoid the tourist traps

There is not much worse than being seated in a restaurant, only to realize shortly  the menu is overpriced, inauthentic, and catered to tourists. Thank goodness for Google and TripAdvisor, am I right? Nevertheless, you will find that Quepos generally is much less tourist centric - which means more local places to explore and fall in love with. 

4. Cheaper for those traveling on a budget

Quepos is generally cheaper for travelers who are on a budget, which makes it a great alternative to staying right next to the national park. Restaurants and bars in town will give you more bang for your buck, and the same goes for accommodation. Also, the bus station is located right in the center of town and brings you directly to Manuel Antonio for only 320 colones (that’s only $0.50 USD!).

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is where you would intuitively think to book your accommodation when visiting the area - after all, it’s name matches the Manuel Antonio National Park (which is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the area and likely why you are visiting in the first place). Manuel Antonio is actually less of a centralized town, and more of a long, winding stretch of road with a variety of accommodations along the way. If you are traveling by car, this is totally doable. There are a number of reasons you might choose to stay in Manuel Antonio.

1. Proximity to the national park

Manuel Antonio’s national park is located, well, in Manuel Antonio itself. If the main purpose of your stay is to visit the park, then staying in close proximity to it makes sense. At the base of the park, you will find small supermarkets that stock everything a tourist might need for a day at the park or the beach, as well as some restaurants and bars. 

2. Proximity to the largest beach in the area

Playa Espadilla is situated right near the entrance to Manuel Antonio national park, and is the largest and arguably most popular public beach in the area. If you are looking to take a surf lesson, rent a board, or try parasailing - Playa Espadilla is where it’s at. While it can definitely be a more crowded beach, it’s size still leaves plenty of room to stretch out.

3. High end accommodation and dining options

If you are looking for all of the glitz and glamor on your vacation to Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is home to a number of highly rated restaurants and accommodations. If you don’t have a car, be prepared to spend on taxis depending on where your accommodation is located. As things are more spread out, you may find certain restaurants difficult to access by foot. 

4. More tourist-centric

You will find that Manuel Antonio is much more tourist-centric than Quepos. The area feels like it was built to cater to its visitors, and it certainly does not fail in that regard! Everything you need to make the most out of your trip to Manuel Antonio - from wildlife and adventure tours to a variety of accommodation styles and dining options - is at your fingertips. If you are looking to be surrounded by other travelers as opposed to living like a local, Manuel Antonio will be your best bet.

Whether you choose to stay in Quepos or Manuel Antonio will depend on a number of factors including budget, travel style, and interests. While neither of these options will disappoint, we hope the above tips can help you choose the best location for your stay. Pura vida!