Plizio Visual Lab

Puerto Quepos

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Port

Weather…

Puerto Quepos, located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, has undergone a significant economic transformation. Originally founded in the early 20th century as a major banana export port by the United Fruit Company, the focus later shifted to the production of African oil palm. The surrounding plains are still dominated by vast oil palm plantations, which remain a vital pillar of the local agricultural economy. In recent decades, however, tourism has overtaken agriculture as the primary source of income, especially due to its proximity to the Manuel Antonio National Park. The opening of Marina Pez Vela, a state-of-the-art marina, has turned Quepos into a hub for sport fishing and luxury tourism. The economy now benefits from a mix of agricultural production, high-end services, and ecotourism. Despite the dominance of tourism, the port remains an important logistical point for the local fishing industry.

Location: Costa Rica
Nearby: San Ignacio (4 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	21	21	22	22	22	22	21	21	21	21	21	21
Rain mm	101	60	73	125	253	240	266	226	233	277	254	150

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

Puerto Quepos is an important port on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, used for both tourism and fishing. It serves as a starting point for sport fishing and excursions to the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park.

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Visiting

The port area is accessible to the public, especially the marina and fish processing facilities. Visitors can walk along the quays and observe fishing boats and sport fishing yachts.

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Where to view it

A good view is from the end of the pier, where both the bay and boats in the port are visible. The El Avión restaurant, made from a converted airplane, also features an elevated view of the port and coast.

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Local products

Puerto Quepos is known for its fresh fish, especially mahi-mahi, tuna, and snapper. At the adjacent fish market, visitors can buy the catches directly or have them prepared in local restaurants.

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Active season

The peak sport fishing season is December to April, when marlin and sailfish stocks are most active. The tourist flow to the national park is also strongest in these months, enlivening the port.

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Nearby

A visit to Puerto Quepos is inseparable from Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its beaches and wildlife diversity. The nearby Nauyaca Waterfalls also offer a popular addition to a day in nature.