Things to do in Central Pacific Coast
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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.
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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
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Fincas Naturales
Situated just across the road from Hotel Sí Como No, this private rainforest preserve and butterfly garden breeds about three dozen species of butterfly – a delicate population compared to the menagerie of lizards, reptiles and frogs that inspire gleefully grossed-out squeals from the little ones. Among the many tours is a cool sound-and-light show at night (US$35 per person) enabling visitors to see the insect markings that glow in ultraviolet light.
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La Casona
This bright-yellow house is marked with a small, modest sign, but it’s an incredibly popular lunch spot, attracting countless locals who jam onto the large deck and into the interior courtyard. Portions are heaped, and soups are served in bathtub-sized bowls – bring your appetite.
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Clarita’s Beach Hotel and Sports Bar and Grill
Part hotel and part watering hole, this sports bar sets the table with ample pub grub, and quenches the thirst with copious draft beers. Sports fans will appreciate being able to catch the game on the big screen (and be served by a waitstaff dressed up in cheerleader outfits). On Saturday afternoons, a trio of codgers sets up in the corner to amble through Costa Rican folk songs, calypso versions of Bob Marley favorites and several beers.
reviewed
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Puntarenas Marine Park
This marine park has an aquarium that showcases manta rays and other creatures from the Pacific. The park sits on the site of the old train station and has a tiny splash pool, snack bar, gift shop and information center.
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Food Stands
The cheapest food is available in the small stands and restaurants near the Palí supermarket. This area is also inhabited by sailors, drunks and prostitutes, but it seems raffish rather than dangerous - during the day, at least.
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Books2Go
Susan runs a quaint little bookstore that also serves as the travelers’ meeting place. You can post messages, store your bags, burn photos to CDs, use the internet (₡1000per hour), or just hang out and read a good book.
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Museo Histórico Marino
This museum describes the history of Puntarenas through audiovisual presentations, old photos and artifacts.
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Coonatramar
Coonatramar can organize tours to the islands in and around Bahía Gigante as well as fishing charters. Prices vary depending on the size of your party and the nature of your trip.
reviewed
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La Yunta Steakhouse
A favorite with the cruise-ship crowd, this long-running steakhouse has professional service (bow ties!), a tiered veranda overlooking the boardwalk and ocean and impressive portions of well-prepared tender meat. The menu is rounded out by seafood.
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La Casa de la Cultura
La Casa de la Cultura has an art gallery with occasional exhibits as well as a performance space offering seasonal cultural events.
reviewed
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Pacific Aerial Tram Tour from Jaco
2 hours (Departs Jaco, Costa Rica)
by Viator
See the rainforest of Costa Rica on this Pacific Aerial Tram ride from Jaco! Get a bird’s-eye view of the Costa Rican rainforest, and an up-close look at exotic…Not LP reviewed
from USD$116.99 -
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Capitán Moreno’s
A time-honored spot for shaking some booty, with a huge dance floor right on the beach.
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Iguana Tours
With tours that leave for destinations all over the central Pacific coast, this adventure-travel shop offers reputable river rafting, sea kayaking, horseback riding, mangrove tours and dolphin-watching excursions. It's no fly-by-night operation – it's been around since '89 – and has a proven commitment to ecotourism principles.
reviewed
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Discoteca Arco Iris
An industrial-sized discotheque just north of town that brings out the locals with thumping dance beats. Don't even think of coming here early; you'll be drinking alone. There's a cover of about US$6 every night to dissuade the riffraff.
reviewed
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El Oasis del Pacífico
A popular spot with a lengthy bar and a warehouse-sized dance floor.
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Serenity Spa
After a day’s activities, you can relax at the Serenity Spa, a good place for couple’s massages, sunburn-relief treatments, coconut body scrubs and tasty coffee. It offers a strangely appetizing exfoliant, made from crushed rice, ginger and lime. Open by appointment.
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Sargento García
This Stars-and-Stripes tribute bar may be a bit heavy on the Americana for some, but look no further if you’re craving a Budweiser and some big-screen sports. On Wednesday nights it offers free salsa dancing classes at 8pm.
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El Gran Escape
A fisher-friendly bar and restaurant that is good for cold beer, warm pub grub and some light-hearted chit-chat about the one that got away.
reviewed
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h2o Adventures
The venerable Costa Rican rafting company Ríos Tropicales has an office in Quepos called h2o Adventures. Rates for class III and IV rapids runs start at US$67 in low season. In summer they are US$82.
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Books & Stuff
Has books in several languages as well as US newspapers.
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Four Trax Adventure
Four-hour ATV tours are US$95 per person.
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Luna Tours
Located in Best Western Hotel Kamuk.
reviewed
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Bluefin Sportfishing
Across from the soccer field, this outfitter does excellent fishing trips. It also offers a laundry list of other tours.
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