QUEPOS Demographics

The small town of Quepos is becoming one of the most popular fishing destinations in the world. Between the months of December and April, Quepos is protected from the winter winds typical of northern Costa Rica, and is blessed with some of the best fishing in the world. It is not uncommon to hear tales from a fishing charter of tired fishermen of 10 to 15 sailfish being released in a single day, along with blue, black and striped marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo, red snapper, rooster fish and the list goes on. During the rest of the year there is still good fishing in Quepos. 

The little town of Quepos, once active as the CENTRAL PACIFIC banana port, is now a very much alive tourism port, with great food, fun people, terrific shopping and exciting tours. However the area of Quepos, Manuel Antonio, has been growing the last few years, and it is still considered as a little bit of heaven on earth.

SURFACE AREA: The territory covers 52,000 square kilometers, divided by mountain ranges running from the northwest to south. 

CURRENCY: The Colon (Approximate exchange rate as of September 2005 is ¢482 per US$)

POPULATION: Three to three and a half million.

ECOTOURISM: In 1992 Costa Rica was officially given the "Consejo de la Tierra" award for its work in the field of conservation of its natural resources. Fully 21% of its total surface area is devoted to protected areas and reserves. 

TIME ZONE: Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time Zone. Daylight Savings Time is not observed. 

POLITICAL & OTHER: Costa Rica is a neutral country (armed forces abolished constitutionally in 1948), with a democratic tradition spanning more than 100 years. The World Health Organization rates Costa Rican health services as some of the best in the world. The official religion is Catholic, but freedom of practice is constitutionally guaranteed. Literacy rates are among the highest in Latin America and rival those of industrialized, developed countries. 

CLIMATE: Because of its topography and isthmus conditions, Costa Rica has only two seasons per year, called the dry (December through April), and rainy (May through November), seasons. Temperate climate is the norm year round, with highs in the low 30¼C during the day and lows of around 20¼C at night. Coastal areas tend to be slightly warmer, while mountainous areas tend to be cooler. 

CLOTHING: Comfortable, lightweight clothing that can be layered is best. A jacket or sweater is necessary for visits to higher altitudes. 

WEATHER INFORMATION