Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Quepos, soon replaced bananas as the major local crop, though unfortunately they gener-
ated a lot less employment for the locals.
The future, on the other hand, is looking bright for locals, as foreign visitors are coming
to the Manuel Antonio area by the boatload, and more people means more jobs in the
area's rapidly expanding tourism industry. The opening of the Marina Pez Vela may also
have profound effects on this humble town, though questions of sustainability and the need
for balanced growth continue to be fiercely debated in the local media.
X MARKS THE SPOT
Locals have long believed that a treasure worth billions and billions of dollars lies some-
where in the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area, waiting to be discovered. The legend was
popularized by English pirate John Clipperton, who befriended the coastal Quepoa during
his years of sailing to and from the South Pacific. Clipperton's belief stemmed from a ru-
mor that in 1670 a number of Spanish ships laden with treasure escaped from Panama
City moments before it was burned to the ground by Captain Henry Morgan. Since the
ships were probably off-loaded quickly to avoid being raided at sea, a likely destination
was the San Bernadino de Quepo Mission, which had strong loyalty to the Spanish crown.
John Clipperton died in 1722 without ever discovering the legendary treasure, and the
mission closed permanently in 1746, as most of the Quepoa had succumbed to European
diseases. Although the ruins of the mission were discovered in 1974, they were virtually
destroyed and had long since been looted. However, if the treasure was indeed as large as
it's described in lore, it is possible that a few gold doubloons could still be lying some-
where, waiting to be unearthed.
Activities
Titi Canopy Tours
ADVENTURE TOUR
US$65/80; tours 7:30am, 11am & 2:30pm)
Offering zip-lining adventures during the day and night, this outfit has friendly, profes-
sional guides and a convenient location just outside of central Quepos (150m south of the
hospital). Tour rates include drinks, snacks and local transportation; group discounts are
available.
