Quepos Explained

Quepos
Settlement Type:District
Pushpin Map:Costa Rica
Pushpin Map Alt:Quepos district location in Costa Rica
Pushpin Map Caption:Quepos district location in Costa Rica
Coordinates:9.4571°N -84.1387°W
Map Alt:Quepos district
Image Alt:Quepos coastline as seen from Concepción, in the Tarrazú highlands, Costa Rica
Established Title:Creation
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Puntarenas
Subdivision Type2:Canton
Subdivision Name2:Quepos
Area Total Km2:235.81
Elevation M:5
Population Total:19858
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:60601

Quepos (pronounced as /es/) is a district of the canton of Quepos, in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica.[1] [2]

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 km²[3] and an elevation of 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 inhabitants.[4]

Transportation

Road transportation

The district is covered by the following road routes:

Economy

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.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: es . Declara oficial para efectos administrativos, la aprobación de la División Territorial Administrativa de la República N°41548-MGP . Sistema Costarricense de Información Jurídica . 26 September 2020 . 19 March 2019.
  2. Book: es . División Territorial Administrativa de la República de Costa Rica. 8 March 2017. Editorial Digital de la Imprenta Nacional. 978-9977-58-477-5.
  3. Web site: es . Área en kilómetros cuadrados, según provincia, cantón y distrito administrativo . Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos . 26 September 2020.
  4. Web site: es . Censo. 2011. Población total por zona y sexo, según provincia, cantón y distrito . Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos . 26 September 2020.