Things to do in Central Pacific Coast
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Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio was declared a national park in 1972, preserving it (with just minutes to spare) from being bulldozed and razed to make room for a coastal development project. Although Manuel Antonio was enlarged to its present-day size of 16 sq km in 2000, it is still the country’s second-smallest national park. Space remains a premium, and as this is one of Central America’s top tourist destinations, you’re going to have to break free from the camera-clicking tour groups and actively seek out your own idyllic spot of sand.
With that said, Manuel Antonio is absolutely stunning, and on a good day, at the right time, it’s easy to convince yourself that…
reviewed
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Rainmaker Aerial Walkway
Rainmaker was the first aerial walkway through the forest canopy in Central America, though it is still regarded as one of the region’s best. From its tree-to-tree platforms, there are spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding primary and secondary rainforest, as well as occasional vistas out to the Pacific Ocean. The reserve is also home to the full complement of tropical wildlife, which means that there are myriad opportunities here for great bird-watching as well as the occasional monkey sighting.
Tours with naturalist guides leave hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos daily except Sunday; reservations can be made at most hotels or by calling the Rainmaker office.…
reviewed
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Playa Hermosa
The waves that pound the long Playa Hermosa (10km/6.2mi) are among the most consistent in the world, which means that just about any day, any time, there'll be a wave here waiting for you to thrash. Only 5km (3mi) south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is fronted by hotels and cabinas, though development here is relatively low-key. Note that this beach can only be recommended to advanced surfers as the huge waves and strong rip tides are unforgiving.
reviewed
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Café Milagro
Serving some of the country’s best cappuccino and espresso, this is a great place to perk up in the morning – try the perezoso (meaning ‘lazy’ or ‘sloth’), which is a double espresso poured into a large cup of drip-filter coffee. Or, if you want to simply relax and read the English-language newspapers that are available, you can indulge in a baked good or a freshly made deli sandwich.
reviewed
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Manuel Antonio Surf School
If you’re looking to surf, the gentle ankle-slappers here are perfect for getting your sea legs. Manuel Antonio Surf School has a kiosk on the beach.
reviewed
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Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park
The Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park is a collection of botanical gardens reflecting each of the topographic zones native to Costa Rica. As you walk along impeccably manicured trails, you’ll pass through palm forests, pasture lands, herbariums, cactus fields, bamboo groves, bromeliad gardens, orchid beds and a loma canopy. The gardens are accessed by an aerial cable car, which is included in the price of admission.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, there is also a canopy tour (adult/child US$55/40) that has you swinging through the trees, as well as opportunities for horseback riding and rock climbing. If you’re traveling with the little ones, they’ll be content for hours either …
reviewed
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Playa Esterillos
Playa Esterillos is a deserted beach, with a few good surf spots, that's relatively undiscovered and little visited. Unfortunately, however, the building craze is looming, and the 'Condos For Sale' billboards on the sides of the road is a frustrating sign of things to come. In the meantime, however, Esterillos is very much an off-the-beaten path destination, and a great place to enjoy a few waves all to yourself.
This area can be a little confusing to navigate as there are three towns with access to the beach - Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Centro and Esterillos Este. These towns are all off the Costaneara, southeast of Jacó. Most surfers camp underneath the trees at the n…
reviewed
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El Patio
This Nuevo Latino spot is adored by locals and tourists alike, in part because its menu changes daily yet never fails to entice and surprise. The unspoken rule here is fresh and local, which means that meats, seafood and produce are always of the highest quality, and always prepared in a way that highlights their natural flavors. If you’re a fan of tapas, sample a few dishes here, though go slow and enjoy your meal over a few glasses of imported wine.
reviewed
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Pacific Bistro
This deservedly popular place is run by a gourmet chef from California who specializes in Pan-Asian–style fusion dishes. Whether you’re partial to Indonesian-style noodles and fiery Thai curries, or more refined Japanese soba and fish fillets topped with exotic Chinese sauces, one thing is for certain: this gem of a restaurant really hits the spot, especially if you’ve been craving fine Asian cuisine.
reviewed
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El Hicaco
It’s hard not to be impressed by the innovative offerings at this oceanside spot brimming with casual elegance, generally regarded as one of the finer dining experiences in Jacó. Although the menu is entirely dependent on seasonal offerings, both from the land and the sea, the specialty of the house is seafood, prepared with a variety of special sauces highlighted by Costa Rica’s tropical produce.
reviewed
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Disco La Central
This unintentionally retro disco sets the volume at 11 (whether or not there’s anyone on the dance floor), though it’s an old-timer on the Jacó scene that still draws in a strong local following. Very much an after-hours spot, Disco La Central doesn’t really get going until the restaurants and bars have emptied out, sending inebriated patrons out in search of flashing lights and heavy bass.
reviewed
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Rioasis
There’s pizza, and then there’s pizza – this much loved pizzeria definitely falls into the latter category, especially considering that there are more than 30 different kinds of pies on the menu. Of course, considering that each one emerges from an authentic wood-fired oven, and is topped with gourmet ingredients from both Costa Rica and abroad, you really can’t go wrong here.
reviewed
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Tropical Sushi
Quepos has gone cosmopolitan – for authentic Japanese (yes, the sushi chef is from Japan!), try this colorfully decorated restaurant, which occasionally has all-you-can-eat specials. If you’re a purist, you can stick to the tuna sashimi spreads, though it’s worth venturing out a bit and sampling some of the local Costa Rican–style rolls.
reviewed
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Calinche’s Wishbone Eatery
Overseen by the charming Calinche, this is the most famous restaurant in town, and has been so for years and years. The eclectic menu includes pizzas, pitas, stuffed potatoes, pan-seared sea bass and tuna-sashimi salads, though its justifiable fame comes from the fact that everything is quite simply fresh, delicious and good value.
reviewed
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Bar Restaurante Colonial
Centered on a large bar facing the alfresco table settings, this breezy tapas-style bar and restaurant is perfect for some light noshing followed up by a crafted cocktail or two. Fast-food staples are balanced out by local seafood options, while signature drinks make excellent use of regional liquors and fresh fruit juices.
reviewed
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Jungle
The 2nd-story terrace gives you a good vantage point for sizing up your prey, which is a good thing as this place can turn into an unabashed meat market. But, the vast majority of people here are looking for a hookup rather than opting to pay for one, so it definitely earns a small measure of respectability in our book.
reviewed
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Paseo de los Turistas
You can stroll along the beach or the aptly named Paseo de los Turistas (Tourist's Stroll), a pedestrian boulevard stretching along the southern edge of town. Cruise ships make day visits to the eastern end of this road, and a variety of souvenir stalls and sodas (informal lunch counters) are there to greet passengers.
reviewed
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Monchados
Something of a Quepos institution, this long-standing Mex-Carib spot is always bustling with dinner-goers who line up to try traditional Limón-style dishes and Mexican standards. Food here is eclectic, innovative and never bland, a theme that is also reflected in the vibrant decorations and fairly regular live music.
reviewed
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Soda Flor
This Jacó institution is a perennial favorite of locals and budget travelers alike. Remarkably, the menu hasn’t changed in years despite the fact that nearly every other place in town is now offering every-thing from sushi to sirloin. Food is fresh, tasty, cheap and 100% Costa Rican, and the portions here are huge.
reviewed
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Tsunami Sushi
If you’ve got a hankering for raw fish, don’t miss Tsunami, a modern and lively restaurant that serves up an exquisite assortment of sushi, sashimi and Californian rolls. The Far East may be a long way away, but the nearby Pacific is home to some seriously tasty sport fish, such as dolphinfish, tuna and wahoo.
reviewed
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Restaurante Kaite Negro
On the north side of town, this rambling restaurant is popular with locals, and serves good seafood and a good variety of tasty bocas (appetisers). If you really want to see the place swinging, the open-air courtyard comes to life on weekends with live music and all-night dancing.
reviewed
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Tabacon
Definitely one of the more modest night spots in town, Tabacon is a casually elegant lounge that occasionally hosts live music. The mature crowd passes the night away with carefully measured doses of hard liquor, while younger hotheads can let off a bit of steam at the pool tables and foosball.
reviewed
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Playa Espadilla
There’s a good beach, Playa Espadilla, near the entrance to the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, though you need to be wary of rip currents. There are some lifeguards working at this beach, though not at the other beaches in the area.
reviewed
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Amigo Tico Complete Adventure Tours
Offers a range of tours, including rafting, walks in national parks, mountain biking and fishing. There’s no office in Quepos; book by phone or through your hotel.
reviewed
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Pancho Villa’s
The food here certainly isn’t gourmet by any stretch of the imagination, but it caters to every conceivable taste from Tico and Western to Asian and Mexican. Even if you skip dinner, you’ll probably end up here at some point since the kitchen is open until the wee hours of the morning.
reviewed
