This beautiful town captivates with its simplicity and hidden paradise. This wonderful land that exudes happiness and well-being has so much to offer that we don't know where to start, so we'll start at the beginning:

What we currently know as Quepos was initially, during the times of the conquest, the territory of the Huetares known by the name of the Quepo. After the conquest, the Quepo population was relocated to the south on the Osa Peninsula.

Quepos is located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, 60 km (as the crow flies) south of San José —the country's capital—, and 165 km by road, passing through the towns of Atenas, Orotina, Tárcoles, Playa Jacó and Parrita. Quepos is the anteroom to the most visited park in Costa Rica; the Manuel Antonio National Park; this world wonder that is overflowing with biodiversity welcomes more than 500,000 tourists annually.

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In 1923 and until 1934, the area was again considered for banana cultivation; starting with a company in Parrita – Pirrís Farm Trading Company (Pirrís Agricultural and Commercial Company) and finally the Banana Company of Costa Rica was established, acquiring all the shares of PFT. In 1926, fruit was already being exported to the United States and Canada. Due to unemployment in the country at that time, there was a significant migration to this area from all over the country and sister countries such as Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Between 1954 and 1955, the area was attacked by constant flooding that reduced banana crops and gave rise to the arrival of Panama disease. These factors and the growing demand from workers who began to demand changes in the labor treatment that the CBCR had maintained, caused the United Fruit Company to order its subsidiary (the Banana Company) to give up banana cultivation and to dedicate itself to another activity. Thus, the cultivation of cocoa, teak and palm oil began. “Of the more than 5,600 workers that there were between 1947 and 1955, not even eight hundred remained to assist the new crops” (Monge, 90; 2001). This change generated an economic crisis for which the area was not prepared.

In the 1950s, tourist activity began in Quepos, mainly with visits from hippies who came to explore the area and discover its wonderful beaches.

 

In 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park was created to preserve the rich forests and idyllic beaches. Manuel Antonio is home to many endangered species in Costa Rica. An experienced tour guide could show you the diversity of monkeys, sloths, coatis and other species in the park; oh, and let's not forget the four beautiful beaches in the park, Espadilla Sur, Manuel Antonio, Escondite and Playitas.

 

In 1974, construction of the Costanera Highway began, and from 1980 onwards, tourism in the area grew thanks to the new highway, the creation of Sansa (local flights) and sport fishing.

 

In 1987, Costa Rica received the Nobel Peace Prize through Dr. Oscar Arias; who was currently the President of the Republic and who again became president in 2006. The award was given for participating in the peace processes in the armed conflicts in Central America in the eighties, this added to the Italy 90 World Cup put Quepos on the map and became a great tourist destination for this country.

 

Quepos, Manuel Antonio currently enjoys a very competent visitation thanks to its jewel; the Manuel Antonio National Park, awarded for being one of the most beautiful parks in the world, in addition to the more than 85 hotels without counting the luxury houses, the opening of the Marina Pez Vela and its villas are added to the list of tourist offers in the area.