Quepos Warnings and Dangers

Be careful, drivers who offer to drive you to your destination for a low price. My friend and I took one only to be dropped about a mile away from our destination because there was a police barricade in front of us. The driver did not want a ticket so he dropped us off. These drivers do not have a license. So be careful. Only take the red cabs.

Be careful when walking along the beach in the Manuel Antonio NP, especially at Playa Espadilla Sur. Here you will find the manchineel tree (manzanillo), or "beach apple" tree. The manchineel is highly toxic and possesses a sap that irritates the skin. Its applelike fruits are also poisonous. Avoid touching any part of the tree.

if you enter the park in the morning and enjoy it till the closing hours, remember that the little ford where water reached your ankle now is a little bit higher ;-)... as far as your wait... or viceversa, according to the tide but it's not said you also have to plunge into it as I did, there is a boat service for a few bucks.

the entrance fee to the national park is 8 US $ per person per day and they don't accept 100 $ note but... maybe my disadventure was only by chance anyway they tried to pretend I had given them a 20 $ and not a 50 $ note... and take not that at the cash desk there were NOT Costaricans but english speaking foreigners maybe working there...

Be wary of the "tour guides." They are all related and will scam you. It's better to just go to the park on your own for the $11 entrance fee instead of paying $40-$60 for a supposed private guide, which ends up being a group of 12 or so. We fell for it and then had an irate couple, completely valid since we were lied to, call the guide out and demanded their $80 back ($40 each person).

There is a sizeable crack smoking community that makes this are along the seawall their hangout. I was mugged by three locals and nearly choked to death while a Best Western employed "security guard" watched. Best Western could have cared less that I was beaten and robbed right at the entrance to their hotel since I was not a registered guest. This is the third time I have been robbed in Quepos. Beware of ex-pats as well, as all they want is your tourist dollars and in many cases, loans.
I would urge readers here to surf the internet on the tremendous uptick in crime in Costa Rica. You should be warned. Pura Vida means "hand me your wallet"