Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica Cruises

Not far from the capital city of San José is the North Pacific Ocean cruise port of Quepos, Costa Rica. Located in the country's western Puntarenas Province, Puerto Quepos is a popular tourist spot, thanks to its bars, nightlife, and proximity to natural attractions. Although originally home to the Quepoa Indians and named for them, Spanish conquistador Juan Vázquez de Coronado took over the area in 1563. He led the charge to subjugate the indigenous people who were eventually moved to a reservation. By the 19th century, colonists established a flourishing economy thanks to a number of successful banana plantations. Today, the focus is on palm trees and the production of palm oil. With a downtown area easy to navigate, there is no shortage of places to eat fresh local cuisine accompanied by refreshing beverages. Here are some of our favorite experiences when cruising to Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica:

• Just south of Quepos is Manuel Antonio National Park. It's a popular place because of its beautiful beaches, tropical rainforest, and hiking. Despite being one of Costa Rica's smallest parks, it still has a spectacular biodiversity of wildlife. Keep an eye out for the brown-throated three-toed sloth and Hoffmann's two-toed sloth as well as several species of monkeys, reptiles, and birds.
   
• Puerto Quepos is one of the best places in the world for sport fishing. There are plenty of boats for hire to take you out. Look for a reputable tour which can help you find the best spots for land marlin, sailfish, tuna, and others. You may need to purchase a fishing license beforehand.
   
• For a thrill, check out the various canopy tours in the area, which provide a zipline adventure unlike any other in the world. There's nothing like flying through the jungle while potentially spotting some unique Costa Rican wildlife.
   
• Those who need some sun and sand can visit Playa Espadilla, fewer than four miles south of the port. The long beach has plenty of vendors from whom you can rent chairs and umbrellas, or take some surf lessons. Nearby restaurants are great for a bite afterward.