Puerto Quepos drapes itself across a tropical inlet surrounded by primary rainforest. The village center is a delightful six-block square of restaurants, bars, hotels, bakeries, art galleries and gift shops, all fronted by the main beach and sportfishing fleet. Quepos is growing quickly yet maintains many of its sleepy and humble beginnings.

Quepeños are great celebrators of life and seem to make dancing in the streets a local pastime. The high season runs through the drier months of December to April and explodes during the Festival del Mar, a month long party held each February that features concerts, sporting events, parades and a street carnival with dancers from across the country. Quepos fills to the brim with families, surfers, backpackers, ecotourists, blissed-out scientists and gay jet-setters, all as colorful and intriguing as the flora and fauna surrounding the village. The ever-friendly locals take it all in stride, going out of their way to make sure everyone has a good time.

Tourism is now the area's leading employer as Quepos evolves from its banana growing roots into a premier holiday destination. After the demise of the Quepoa Indians in the late 1800's, vast banana plantations were developed throughout the region. Bananas were shipped to world markets across the docks that now service the sportfishing fleet. In the 1980's bananas lost out to heartier African palms and their high quality palm oil. As Quepos diminished in importance as a banana port, it renewed itself as an ecotourism and sportfishing destination. World travelers are discovering the area, with many visitors purchasing homes and returning each year to enjoy the relaxing village lifestyle and natural beauty of nearby Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a gem among Costa Rica 's nature reserves and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica . A lush blanket of tropical green spills headlong onto several hidden and incredibly beautiful jungle-lined beaches.

Within this magnificent dreamscape you may catch glimpse of whimsical monkeys, loud and colourful parrots, giant toucans, three-toed sloths, and a whole host of rare plant and animal species that inspire and overwhelm the senses. The birding opportunities are nothing short of fantastic with more than 350 species spotted in the park's small boundaries. Easy walking trails take in sweeping vistas of Costa Rica 's dramatic coastline and meander through primary rainforest with over 300 species of trees.

Secluded beaches and unworldly vistas create a special sanctuary to rest the soul. One can sit quietly, shrouded in magnificence, and enjoy the call of distant howler monkeys, ponder giant leaf-cutter ants hard at work, rejuvenate in the warm waters, and meditate forever in this wonderfully alive and joyous place. A short swim to a tropical reef dazzles the senses with a colourful array of fish; a swim that often leads to a true highlight of any visit to Manuel Antonio, a chance to play with the wild dolphins that visit within the park's ocean boundaries.

The park is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday except Mondays. Admission is approximately $8 U.S. dollars for non-residents. Guided tours are available and highly recommended.