Quepos and Manuel Antonio

Location

Quepos is fishing port that has grown into a large town with all the amenities. It takes about 3.5 hours to get there, without any traffic at the two one-lane bridges to the north. When you drive into town, you can see the waves breaking into the rivermouth on your right. If you stay straight you will reach the port. Make your last left into town and follow it for about seven blocks. You will see the sign for the road to Manuel Antonio. This steep paved road winds for about 6 kilometers until you reach the National Park at the bottom of the hill. Hotels, surf shops, spanish schools, and restaurants are all found along this main road.

Inside Scoop

Quepos is a busy town, and the water can be very polluted. It has a great night scene, a casino inside the Best Western, and about 20 sportsfishing operations. A safe bet for accomodations is at Sirena Hotel, which is right next to a surf shop and internet cafe.

The Waves

Isla Damas, or Island of Women, does not have any women on it, but offshore has a long right that breaks across the Damas rivermouth. The wave is only accessible by boat, and can break for over 300 meters when the swell is overhead. However, the rip pulling you out to sea is very strong, and the chance of seeing a shark is high. 

Quepos has a beachbreak to the north that can be fun around high tide. The water is dark and since no one else ever paddles out here, it can be sketchy (sharky, too). So many locals surf at the rivermouth. The water is a little dirtier, but the lefts can run up to 250 meters with a good south southwest swell. Best size is chest high to 2 feet overhead.

Manuel Antonio - North: This beach is called Playitas. (Little Beach) It is located about a 1 km. walk north from the National Park, just past a 50 foot rock formation offshore. Watch out for rocks sticking out at lower tide. Best time to surf it is around high tide. Best size is chest high to one foot overhead. The biggest sets tend to close out, and are overrun with bodyboarders and local surf aficionados.

Manuel Antonio - South: The beach just to the north of Manuel Antonio Park entrance is a great spot for beginners. An offshore island blocks most of the swell, and it is usually waist high or smaller. The best tide to surf it is around high tide. You'll see lots of surf lessons being given on this stretch of beach, so watch out flying NSPs and softtops.

Playa El Rey: This beach is just to the south of Manuel Antonio, but you have to drive all the way around Quepos and then south about 5 kilometers to get there (taking the route to Dominical). It is almost always empty, and has very clean surf. As a beachbreak, when it's too big it will close out, the best size being chest to 1 foot overhead, better around high tide. It is a favorite for longboarders who want to get away from the crowds.

Hotels

Name	Contact	Phone	Location	Price
Sirena Hotel		1-800-493-8426	Quepos	$45+
Si Como No		2777-0777	Manuel Antonio	$165+
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Surf Camps

Name	Contact	Phone	Location
Tropical Surf School	info@tropicalsurfschool.com	2774-0001	Quepos
Surf School by Locals	petrabrinkhoff@hotmail.com	on the beach by the park	Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio Surf School	info@masurfschool.com	2777-4842	Manuel Antonio
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Surf Shops

Burro Surf Shop - Quepos

Recommended Tours

Amigos del Rio - White Water Rafting

Hike the Manuel Antonio National Park