--- title: Things to Do in Quepos & Manuel Antonio | Beyond Fishing url: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/things-to-do-quepos-manuel-antonio/ language: en description: Things to do in Quepos and Manuel Antonio beyond fishing: the national park, beaches, canyoning, ATV tours and catamaran cruises. Plan your days and book ahead. alternates: en: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/things-to-do-quepos-manuel-antonio/ es: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/es/blog/que-hacer-en-quepos-y-manuel-antonio/ fr: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/fr/blog/que-faire-quepos-manuel-antonio/ de: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/de/blog/aktivitaeten-quepos-manuel-antonio/ pt-BR: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/pt/blog/o-que-fazer-em-quepos-e-manuel-antonio/ business: Costa Rica Fishing Company, Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica booking: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/costa-rica-fishing-company-fighting-rooster-5858829175#about-this-trip --- Skip to content ![Things to do in Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-52.webp) Quepos Travel 7 min read Quepos Travel · Costa Rica # Things to Do in Quepos & Manuel Antonio — *Besides Fishing* The national park, the beaches, waterfall canyoning, ATV trails and a sunset catamaran — the best ways to spend your days off the water. Ready to Fish? Book a Private Charter Half-day inshore or full-day offshore — available year-round from Marina Pez Vela. View Charters WhatsApp Us 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 Related Posts Quepos vs Manuel Antonio — Where to Stay for a Fishing Trip How to Plan a Fishing Trip to Costa Rica — Step-by-Step Guide Best Marina in Costa Rica — Why We Depart from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Best Time to Fish in Quepos, Costa Rica Costa Rica Fishing Company October 20, 2026 ## Quick Answer - Beyond fishing, the top things to do around Quepos and Manuel Antonio are visiting Manuel Antonio National Park for wildlife and beaches, rappelling waterfalls on a canyoning tour, riding jungle trails on an ATV, and a sunset catamaran cruise with snorkeling. Buy national park tickets online in advance, start early, and save a free afternoon or rest day between fishing charters. ## 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. ![Rainforest and Pacific coastline in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-53.webp) Rainforest meets the Pacific in Manuel Antonio, minutes from the Quepos marina — Costa Rica Fishing Company ## 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](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/canyoning-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](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/atv-tours-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](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/catamaran-cruise-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](https://quepossportfishing.com/) Ready to Book? Add a Fishing Day to Your Trip Fish in the morning, explore in the afternoon. Private charters from Marina Pez Vela, every day of the year. View Charters WhatsApp Us - Things to Do - Manuel Antonio - Quepos - National Park - Adventure Tours - Quepos Travel ![costa-rica-fishing-company-v3 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/costa-rica-fishing-company-v3.svg) #### Costa Rica Fishing Company Expert Local Fishing Guides — Quepos, Costa Rica Our team of experienced local captains and fishing guides has been operating out of Marina Pez Vela for years. We share our knowledge of the local fishery to help anglers plan the perfect Costa Rica fishing trip. Frequently Asked Questions ## Things to Do *— Common Questions* **What is the best thing to do in Manuel Antonio?** For most visitors it's Manuel Antonio National Park: easy rainforest trails, white-sand beaches and lots of wildlife. Go early with a certified guide and buy your ticket online in advance. **Do I need to buy Manuel Antonio park tickets in advance?** Yes, it's strongly recommended. Tickets are sold online through SINAC's reservation system, daily capacity is limited, and you'll need the QR code on your phone to enter. **What day is Manuel Antonio National Park closed?** The park closes one day a week for maintenance — Tuesdays, according to the Costa Rica Tourism Board. Schedules can change, so confirm on SINAC's official channels before you go. **Can I combine a fishing charter with other tours on the same day?** Yes. A Half-Day Inshore charter (back around noon) or a 3/4-Day charter (back by 2:00 PM) leaves time for an afternoon at the beach or a sunset catamaran cruise. After a 9-hour Full Day, most anglers keep the evening relaxed. **Are these activities good for families?** Yes. The national park and beaches suit all ages, the catamaran welcomes all ages, ATV drivers must be at least 8 (younger children can ride as passengers), and canyoning suits active travelers and families with older kids. **How far is Manuel Antonio from the Quepos marina?** About 10 to 15 minutes by road, depending on traffic. Taxis and rideshare-style transport are easy to arrange between the two. Keep Reading ## More Fishing *Tips & Guides* ![costa-rica-fishing-company-45 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-45.webp) Quepos Travel ### [How to Plan a Fishing Trip to Costa Rica — Step-by-Step Guide](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/plan-fishing-trip-costa-rica/) August 18, 2026 · 7 min read ![costa-rica-fishing-company-50 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-50.webp) Fishing Tips ### [Costa Rica Catch and Release Rules — What Anglers Must Know](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/catch-and-release-rules-costa-rica/) October 6, 2026 · 7 min read ![costa-rica-fishing-company-48 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-48.webp) Fishing Tips ### [How to Avoid Seasickness on a Fishing Charter — 10 Tips](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/avoid-seasickness-fishing-charter/) September 22, 2026 · 6 min read ![Fishing on the Pacific Ocean off Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-20.webp) Private Sport Fishing · Marina Pez Vela ## Ready to Fish *Costa Rica?* Private charters available every day of the year from Marina Pez Vela. Expert local captains, all tackle included, hotel pickup available. View Charters WhatsApp Us