Things to Do in Quepos & Manuel Antonio — Besides Fishing

Costa Rica Fishing CompanyOctober 20, 2026

Why Mix Fishing With the Rest of Quepos

Quepos and Manuel Antonio pack rainforest, beaches, rivers and waterfalls into a few kilometers of coastline, so a fishing trip here easily becomes a full vacation. Most of what's on this list is within 10 to 15 minutes of Marina Pez Vela.

Charters leave early, so many anglers fish in the morning and keep afternoons — or a full rest day — for the activities below. It's also a great way to keep non-fishing family members happy.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most visited parks in Costa Rica, known for its easy rainforest trails, white-sand beaches and wildlife — sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkeys, iguanas and plenty of birds. A certified naturalist guide with a spotting scope makes a big difference in how much wildlife you actually see.

Plan ahead: tickets are sold online through SINAC's reservation system, daily capacity is limited, and the park closes one day a week (Tuesdays, according to the Costa Rica Tourism Board). Keep the QR code on your phone, arrive early for cooler temperatures and more active wildlife, and check the current schedule before you go.

The Beaches

Playa Espadilla, the long public beach just outside the park entrance, is the easy option for swimming, surf lessons and sunsets, with restaurants nearby. Inside the park, the sheltered beaches are some of the most beautiful on the Pacific coast — bring water and snacks in a reusable bottle and container, and never feed the monkeys.

Waterfall Canyoning

Canyoning is one of the most popular adventures near Quepos: you rappel down jungle waterfalls and swim in natural pools with certified guides, and no previous experience is needed — harnesses, helmets and ropes are provided. See our canyoning in Quepos page for details.

ATV Tours Through the Jungle

An ATV tour takes you along jungle trails and through river crossings outside Quepos. Guides give a full safety briefing, no experience is required, and drivers must be at least 8 years old. Expect to get muddy — that's half the fun. More on our ATV tours in Manuel Antonio page.

Sunset Catamaran Cruise

A sunset catamaran cruise is the classic way to end a day in Manuel Antonio: snorkeling, an open bar, fresh fruit and live music, with frequent dolphin sightings along the coast (never guaranteed — it's wildlife). See our catamaran cruise in Manuel Antonio page.

Quepos Town and Marina Pez Vela

Quepos itself is a working port town with local restaurants and shops, and Marina Pez Vela has a row of restaurants and cafés within walking distance of the docks — easy for breakfast before an early charter or dinner after a day on the water. If you want more ideas for where to base yourself, our Quepos vs Manuel Antonio guide compares both areas.

Things to Do at a Glance

Here are the highlights, at a glance:

• Manuel Antonio National Park: wildlife and beaches — book online
• Playa Espadilla: swimming, surf lessons, sunsets
• Canyoning: waterfall rappels, no experience needed
• ATV tours: jungle trails and river crossings
• Catamaran: sunset, snorkeling, dolphins (not guaranteed)
• Marina Pez Vela: restaurants and cafés by the docks

More local fishing guides on our partner site: quepossportfishing.com

• Things to Do
• Manuel Antonio
• Quepos
• National Park
• Adventure Tours
• Quepos Travel