Quepos facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Quepos
District
Quepos coastline as seen from Concepción, in the Tarrazú highlands, Costa Rica
Quepos Location in Costa Rica
Country	Costa Rica
Province	Puntarenas
Canton	Quepos
Area
• Total	235.81 km2 (91.05 sq mi)
Elevation	5 m (16 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	19,858
• Density	84.212/km2 (218.108/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−06:00
Postal code	60601

Quepos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkepos]) is a district of the canton of Quepos, in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Toponymy

The town is named for the native Quepo Indians who inhabited the place in the colonial era.

History

The area was home to the native Quepoa people of this specific Costa Rican region. In 1563, Spanish Catholic conquistadores, led by Juan Vázquez de Coronado, settled the area and founded the settlement of San Bernardino de Quepo. The local native Quepo people were then subsequently subjugated by Juan Vázquez and his conquistadores.

In 1746, the Quepo people that remained were transferred to a reservation which already contained another native ethnic group. Quepos offers fishing for numerous varieties of fish, especially Pacific Sailfish. Peak fishing season is from November to April for billfish.

Geography

Quepos has an area of 235.81 km² and an elevation of 5 metres.

The town is about 60 km. south (in a straight line) from Costa Rica's capital, San José, but is 157 km from that city by road if going through the localities of Atenas, Orotina and Tárcoles.

Villages

Administrative center of the district is the town of Quepos.

Other villages are Anita, Bartolo, Boca Naranjo, Cañas, Cañitas, Cerritos, Cerros, Damas, Delicias, Espadilla, Estero Damas, Estero Garita, Llamarón, Llorona, Managua, Manuel Antonio, Marítima, Mona, Papaturro, Paquita, Pastora, Quebrada Azul, Rey, Ríos and Roncador.

Demographics

For the 2011 census, Quepos had a population of 19,858 inhabitants.

Transportation

Road transportation

The district is covered by the following road routes:

• National Route 34
• National Route 235
• National Route 616
• National Route 618

Economy

Sunset at Quepos.

Quepos, located on the stunning Pacific coast of Costa Rica, boasts a vibrant and diverse economy. The town's tourism sector is a major contributor, drawing visitors with its breathtaking beaches and proximity to the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. Tourism supports a range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and adventure tour operators, providing numerous employment opportunities for locals. Additionally, Quepos has a thriving Costa Rica fishing industry that contributes significantly to its economy. The rich waters off its shores teem with marlin, sailfish, tuna, and other prized species, attracting Quepos sport fishing enthusiasts from around the world. The fishing sector provides employment and generates revenue through charters, equipment rentals, and seafood exports, bolstering the region's economic stability.

Climate

Quepos has a tropical monsoon climate (Am) with moderate to little rainfall from January to March and heavy to very heavy rainfall in the remaining months.