Essentials
- City
- Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- Population
- Approximately 22,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic available in town center and Manuel Antonio; speeds average 50-100 Mbps (Itellum, Cabletica)
- Currency & Banking
- Costa Rican Colón (CRC); 1 USD ≈ 510 CRC. USD is widely accepted in tourist areas.
- Tap Water
- Potable in the town center, though many expats prefer filtered water or bottled ($2 for 5L) to avoid stomach sensitivity.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Liberty (formerly Movistar) or Claro; available at the kioask near the Marina Pez Vela for approx. $20 for 10GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and BAC Credomatic; ATMs are plentiful at Marina Pez Vela.
- Accommodation
- Mix of rainforest villas, eco-lodges, and town apartments; prices range from $800 to $3,500/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards are accepted at all major restaurants and supermarkets; cash needed for local buses and small sodas.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and VRBO are dominant; prices average $80-$150/night for decent mid-range stays.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Plinio ($20/dorm, $50/private) or Wide Mouth Frog in town center ($18/dorm).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Manuel Antonio (higher elevation, ocean views, near the national park).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Quepos Town (lower cost, better grocery access) or Valle Pura Vida (quiet, green, reliable fiber internet).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Manuel Antonio (approx. $20/day pass or $180/month for hot desk).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Emilio’s Café (stunning ocean views, reliable WiFi, great coffee/pastries).
- Networking Events
- Expats & Coffee meetups at Marina Pez Vela; check 'Quepos/Manuel Antonio Community' Facebook group.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday Sunset Sessions at Marina Pez Vela with live music and cocktails.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is available but sparse; official red taxis are more reliable. Use 'Ride CR' for private transfers.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Quepos Rentals; scooters cost approx. $45/day or $250/week.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Manuel Antonio (inside the park) or Playa Espadilla (public, free).
- Top Regional Airline
- Sansa Airlines (flights from San José to Quepos take 20 mins, approx. $100-$150).
- Top International Airline
- Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) served by Delta, United, and Copa Airlines.
- Highway Access
- Route 34 (Costanera Sur) connects Quepos to Jaco and Uvita.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Quepos Bus Terminal (Terminal de Autobuses de Quepos) for routes to San José and Puntarenas.
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes; the Quepos-Manuel Antonio bus is ₡380 (approx. $0.75) paid in cash per ride.
- Regional Travel
- Tracopa Bus for long-distance travel to San José (approx. $10, 3.5 hours).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Max Terán Valls (Public); for private care, Clinica Metropolitana near the Marina.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Institute at Holis Wellness Center ($20/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Mucho Músculo Gym in Quepos center ($40/month).
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Quepos; approx. $10 per medium load (wash, dry, fold).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- PedidosYa and Rappi have limited presence; most locals use WhatsApp for direct delivery from restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Casado (rice, beans, salad, plantains, and protein); try it at Soda El Angel for $6.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Falafel Bar Manuel Antonio ($12 for a massive plate).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria Amorosi at Marina Pez Vela ($5 for gourmet gelato).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Super Jordán or Pali for budget groceries.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Unimart.com (CR-based) or Aeropost for importing Amazon packages.
- Grocery Delivery
- Super Mas delivers via WhatsApp order within the Manuel Antonio area.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Marina Pez Vela (upscale) or the 'Hill' bars in Manuel Antonio (casual/backpacker).
- Local Brewery
- Fuego Brew Co. (nearby in Dominical, but served locally at most upscale bars).
- Wine Bars
- Runaway Grill at the Marina ($8/glass with sunset views).
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Arroz con Leche' and 'Copos' vendors at the Quepos seawall (Malecón).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gabriella's (Steak & Seafood) at the Marina; El Avion (Dining inside a converted C-123 cargo plane).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Manuel Antonio National Park (closed Tuesdays, $18 entry).
- Museums & Art Venues
- L'Arte Marina gallery at the Marina Pez Vela.
- Historical Sites
- The old Banana Company housing (The American Zone) in Quepos town.
- Religious Sites
- Inmaculada Concepción de María (Catholic Church in Quepos center).
- Annual Events
- Festival del Mar (February) featuring parades and local concerts.
- Cultural Districts
- The Malecón (Seawall) for local gatherings and sunset watching.
- Theater Venues
- Occasional performances at the Marina Pez Vela outdoor amphitheater.
- Local Markets
- Feria del Agricultor (Farmer's Market) every Friday afternoon and Saturday morning near the seawall.
- Music Scene
- Live jazz and salsa at the Backyard Bar (15 mins away in Playa Hermosa) or local bars in Manuel Antonio.
- Street Art
- Murals on the harbor road depicting whales and biodiversity.
- Cooking Classes
- Quepoa Cooking Classes ($65 for a 3-hour traditional session).
- Art Galleries
- Mot Mot Gallery (local artisan crafts and paintings).
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Customs Building near the pier.
- Local Heritage
- Sibo/Indigenous influence reflected in the Diquis stone spheres often found in local gardens.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Rainmaker Conservation Project ($23 entry, hanging bridges and waterfalls).
- National Parks Nearby
- Marino Ballena National Park (1 hour drive south, famous for the Whale Tail sandbar).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 7km 'Hill' road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio (steep, good for fitness).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The overlook at ‘El Avion’ restaurant (best sunset view in the region).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove tours in Isla Damas ($55/tour).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Technically restricted in the National Park, but common on the far end of Playa Espadilla (unofficially).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos de Costa Rica (Quepos branch) or DHL (at the Marina).
- Tech Repair Services
- Soporte Técnico Quepos (near the bus station) for laptop and phone repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Manuel Antonio common area.
- Language Classes
- COSI (Costa Rica Spanish Institute) in Manuel Antonio ($250/week intensive).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Quepos Public Library (Biblioteca Pública de Quepos) – quiet but basic.
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural Quepos.
- Gaming Lounges
- No dedicated lounges; Selina common areas are the best bet for casual gamers.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino at Hotel Kamuk (best known in the area).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $64,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $168,000 for a luxury condo)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $108,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $240,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Sliding scale from 5% to 30%, though 30% is standard for most corporations.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% standard rate.
- Tax System
- Territorial tax system (income earned outside Costa Rica is generally not taxed).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 25% for salaried individuals.
- VAT
- 13% (locally known as IVA).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No, Costa Rica does not currently have comprehensive CFC rules.
- Property Tax
- Very low; 0.25% of the registered property value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% Real Estate Transfer Tax + approx. 1% in notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, the Digital Nomad Law (Law 22.215) provides 100% exemption from income tax for 1 year (renewable).