Costa Rica's breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and welcoming culture make it a dream destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable adventure. While many attractions and activities can come with a price tag, Quepos and Manuel Antonio offer an array of incredible experiences that won't cost you a dime. In this blog, we'll explore the top 10 free things to do in these stunning regions, ensuring an affordable yet unforgettable trip.

10. Visit El Malecon for Sunset

Hosting the best ocean view you can get in Quepos, El Malecon is a strolling avenue that extends the length of the city and offers visitors great way to spend an evening. Along this paved and asphalt walkway you'll find a variety of benches and places to sit, some grassy areas where you could lay a blanket for a picnic, and a ton of locals who have made this walkway their favorite place to be between 5 and 6pm.

Writers Tips:

Grab a drink or ice cream from one of the shops across the street and get ready for a incredible display of natures majestic beauty. 

9. Visit The Quepos Farmers Market (La Feria)

Hosting a wide variety of farmers and craft vendors, the Quepos farmers market is easily one of the coolest regularly scheduled events in Quepos. This bountiful market is filled with organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, craft jewelry, fresh pastries, high-end meats, cheeses, and seafoods. Prices are always fair, vendors are always friendly, and there isn't a better place to buy fresh coconut water.  Make sure to try some meats from the German butcher and keep your eyes peeled for fresh banana bread or chocolate cream pies that melt in your mouth.

Hours

• Friday 3PM-8PM
• Saturday 7AM-12PM

Location

The market is located in a private parking lot, right in the middle of town, behind the central bus station.

Writers Tips:

• Try the countries best Mexican flour tortillas, made fresh locally by Tortillas Helen.
• Don't be afraid to ask a vendor to let you taste before you buy. The are very friendly and are happy to slice into a fruit for a sample
• Bring cash as vendors are cash only

8. Soak up the sun at Playa La Macha

Just a short walk and hike from central Quepos, explorers will find a small beach where they can ditch their bathing suits and their tan lines for their birthday suits and some magnificent sun.  Playa la Macha is the closest beach to Quepos and is one of the most secluded beaches in the area because it's not the easiest beach to get to.  If you have a 4x4 car, this beach is pretty accessible but without a 4x4, prepare for a nice mountain jungle hike that extends 2-3km though pristine Manuel Antonio Jungle that tends to be teeming with wildlife. For more detailed information, please read our Playa La Macha blog.

Writers Tips:

• Visit this beach a low tide
• Bring hiking shoes
• Try ditching the bathing suit to experience a whole new level of freedom

6. Swim and Play at Playa Biesanz

Hidden down a rugged jungle trail, deep in the heart of Manuel Antonio, visitors will find a beautiful protected cove that harbors some area's most pristine beaches. Playa Biesanz can be difficult to get to if you don't have a car, as the road that leads to the beach is small and without a walkway making a semi-dangerous walk. 

Arriving at the entrance to the trailhead, visitors are normally met by street parking guards who pledge to guard vehicles for a couple of thousand colones. While these guys are not official government employees, they can be trusted to keep an eye on your car, and it becomes your decision if you want to support their cause.

Playa Biesanz is the best beach for snorkeling. You can bring your own snorkel and fins and swim out to a rocky area off the coast where visibility is best and fish are prevalent. This area will usually be marked by tour boats that bring their guests to snorkel here.  You can typically rent a kayak and snorkel gear by the hour from locals on the beach. If you decide to swim out to the rocky snorkel area, be sure to have a life jacket as the swim is further than it looks. This is the best beach for small children and calm waters as it is a protected cove with small waves.

Writers Tips:

• At minimum, slide your cars security guard a few shekels. A small amount can go a long way with these guys who are just trying to make a living
• Have some cash with you, because on busy days there are vendors selling drinks, food, etc

5. Visit a Hotel Pool with a View

With over 350 hotels and lodging accommodations in the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area, swimming pools and views are almost everywhere and provide an incredible way to cool down in our hot jungle environment. While we hope you're staying in an accommodation that has its own pool, view, or both, this may not always be the case. If you find yourself without a great pool and view, you need not worry. Hotels and hostels in our area have friendly business practices and are known to open their pools to the public with what they call a day pass.

The caveat, in this case, is that you must also be there to eat, drink or spend some kind of money. This makes these hotels the ideal place to have lunch on a hot day. Be aware that this practice may be less available in the busy season Dec-April because hotels tend to be at max capacity. It will also be easier to take advantage of these pools if you're group is small, as large groups are harder for hotels to accommodate in this way. Make sure to call Hotels before arriving to make sure they will accept guests who are not staying with them. 



Writers Tips:

• Look for hotels that advertise having a restaurant that is open to the public. Signs are common on the main roads
• Keep your group small
• Call ahead
• Ask to buy a day pass. Day passes can cost $30-$50 but serve as credits that can be used on food and drink.

4. Surf Playa Espadilla

With a large unobstructed white sand beach that meets the lush green jungle teeming with wildlife, Playa Espadilla is one of this country's most beautiful beaches and essentially an extension of the incredible Manuel Antonio National Park.  The south end of this beach is the most populated part where visitors will find lots of beach chairs, vendors, and tour opportunities. If you're searching for wildlife and peace, try walking north on the beach. Keep your eyes on the trees as sloths iguanas, birds and monkeys frequently visit these trees. 

If you make it to the end of Playa Espadilla, you have arrived at Playitas which is the best area for surfing. The break at Playitas is faster and bigger than the rest of the beach and is recommended for experienced surfers only. Surfboards can be rented in multiple locations along this beach but these waves are also great for body surfing and boogie-boarding. Be very careful (especially in high tide) of vicious rip tides that will suck you out to sea in a flash.

Writers Tips:

• BE CAREFUL of dangerous rip tides
• Try some of the amazing food sold by vendors walking the beach. Fish ceviche, grilled meat skewers, and empanadas are all favorites
• Don't forget sun screen. This beach heats up and will have gringos looking like lobsters very quickly

3. Find Some Live Music

If you've ever lived in the Quepos  and Manuel Antonio area then it's likely you have been exposed to the variety of talented musicians and artists that live and work in this area. From acoustic guitarists strumming Jack Johnson vibes to rock bands jamming out classic rock covers from generations ago, this area has it all when it comes to live music.

With a wide variety of hotel and restaurant venues in Manuel Antonio and Quepos, live music performances are a regular blessing. Find a show and order some tapas and a drink because you're in for a show. For an updated music schedule, check out our blog post entitled: Live Music Quepos and Manuel Antonio.

Writers Tips:

• Call ahead to confirm live music as schedules are always changing

2.Hike to Jungle Creek Waterfall (El Salto)

Travel deep into the pristine jungle forest of Manuel Antonio. Follow the jungle creek steam as it guides you to an incredible hidden gem of Manuel Antonio.  Nicknamed "El Salto" by locals who have been known to jump from daunting heights into the crystal blue pool below, this jungle creek waterfall is not for the faint of heart.  If you want to visit this waterfall, and need to know how to get there, check out our blog post " El Salto Waterfall"

Writers Tips:

• Don't jump or travel down to the waterfalls pool unless you are ready to climb back up
• You can climb the rocks back up to the trail with the help of a rope but it can be a little daunting 

1.Hike El Reto Mae

With multiple panoramic "mirador" view points, 5 different hidden cove beaches, and plenty of wildlife, The Reto Mae hike in Manuel Antonio is like an extension of The Manuel Antonio National Park. This 5k hike through dense jungle leads its hikers back and forth between incredible beach coves and spectacular mirador viewpoints. Don't be surprised if you happen to run into one of the 3 different monkey species that frequent this trail and call these trees home. This hike is best at low tide. For all you need to know about this hike, check out our blog post "El Reto Mae".

Writers Tips:

• Try to time your hike so that it coincides with low tide
• Bring water and a bathing suit
• For an extra challenge, try starting the hike from the marina area
• Use pink painted trees and pink plastic ties to help you stay on the trail

0. Manuel Antonio National Park

Sliding in to a questionable 0 spot is a self guided tour of Manuel Antonio National park. This activity is listed in the 0 position because it is not exactly free. All visitors must an entry fee ($18 for tourists) to get into the park. However, it is less expensive to foresee the guided tour to guide yourself through the park.  For more information about the park read our blog post>Manuel Antonio National Park. Click here if you prefer a professional guided tour from one of the best guide groups in Manuel Antonio.



Writers Tips:

If Manuel Antonio is one of the only national parks you plan to visit in Costa Rica, definitely splurge for the park tour. You will see a ton more wildlife and you will learn all about the delicate ecosystem of the Manuel Antonio jungle.

Honorable Mentions

With so many amazing free things to do in the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area, we couldn't stop at number 10.  Here are the free activities that made the honorable mention list:

• Sunrise guided meditation from the Birds Nest at Villas Jacquelina
• Starts at 5:30 am most mornings
• Dinning and shopping at Pez Vela Marina
• While dining and shopping aren't "free", visitors can stroll this beautiful yacht yard Marina and admire the lovely shops, the opulent yachts, and one of the best sunset views in Quepos. The Marina regularly has free activities happening that are open to the public. Check out their website to see if there is anything going on.