Arriving at the town of QUEPOS from San José, Puntarenas or Jacó, it's immediately apparent that you've crossed into the lush, wetter southern Pacific region. Vegetation is thicker and greener than up north, and you'll notice the proliferation of sports-fishing imagery - of all the sports-fishing grounds in Costa Rica, the Quepos area has the most variety, and many small tour agencies cater more or less exclusively to sports-fishers. The town itself, backed against a hill and fronted by a muddy beach, can look pretty ramshackle, but it's a friendly place, with plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants. More important, however, is its proximity to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio and its beaches, 7km south.