Quepos — World Capital of Sport Fishing
The waters off Quepos produce extraordinary concentrations of sailfish, marlin, roosterfish, tuna, and dorado year-round — drawing elite anglers and tournament teams from over 30 countries. When a tournament is in town, the whole community comes alive. Plan your visit around one.
The 9th annual Manuel Antonio Pride on the Beach, organized by José Chaves and Gay Tours Costa Rica. Pink Edition — every shade encouraged. Pride March at noon, Bravo Party at Playa Espadilla Norte, pool party at Hotel La Colina at 3pm with DJ Nacho (free admission), sunset at Sunset MA Bar at 5pm with live music and fire show, and the Drunken Monkey Club closing party at 9pm.
Kick off Pride Weekend the right way — together, over food. Manuel Antonio Street Food is hosting a Pride Eve burger mixer at Mercadito Gastronómico on Friday July 17. The centerpiece: The American Angus Burger — a certified Authentic American Burger built from a generous hand-formed Angus beef patty cooked to order, melted American cheese, tangy dill pickle chips, crispy red onion rings, fresh tomato, leafy lettuce, and just enough yellow mustard on the top bun to make it real. The Pride Burger Combo — burger, golden fries in a wire basket, and a 500ml drink — all-inclusive for ₡8,000 (approximately $15 USD). This is a warm-up — Pride on the Beach is José's day on Saturday. Friday evening is about community, good food, and getting ready for the biggest day of the year. This is a warm-up — Pride on the Beach is José's day on Saturday. Friday evening is about community, good food, and getting ready for the biggest day of the year.
The biggest day of the year in Manuel Antonio. Dress code: pink — every shade. Here is the complete day:
The first official PuraVidaXP community gathering — a casual meetup for local hosts, guests, and anyone curious about the network. Food, drinks, conversation, and real connections. The beginning of a monthly tradition that puts locals and visitors in the same room. Venue announced to members.
The rainy season brings green that takes your breath away. August is one of the most beautiful months in Manuel Antonio — lush, wild, and far less crowded than peak season. The August gathering celebrates the shoulder season and all the reasons locals love this time of year. Rotating member venue.
On the evening of September 14th, children and families across Costa Rica carry handmade lanterns through their neighborhoods to commemorate independence. In Quepos and Manuel Antonio, local schools parade through the streets with music, costumes, and glowing faroles. One of the most charming and authentic Costa Rican traditions you can witness — deeply moving and completely unexpected if you haven't seen it before.
Costa Rica's Independence Day is celebrated with parades, music, dancing, and community pride throughout the country. In Quepos, the main boulevard fills with marching bands, local school groups in costume, and families celebrating their heritage. Ticos are quietly and genuinely proud of their country — this day makes that visible in the most joyful way.
September's gathering celebrates Costa Rican Independence and the community behind PuraVidaXP. A perfect month to reflect on what makes this place worth protecting — and what we're building together. Rotating member venue. Details announced to members.
Costa Rica's celebration of its multicultural heritage — honoring Indigenous, African, European, and other cultural roots that make the country what it is today. Community events, music, and local festivities across the region. A thoughtful counterpoint to Columbus Day, celebrated with pride and nuance.
Manuel Antonio's expat and tourist community goes all out for Halloween. Local bars, restaurants, and member venues throw parties up and down the strip. Costumes are taken seriously, music goes late, and the jungle backdrop makes everything a little more atmospheric. One of the most festive nights of the year outside of Christmas and Pride. PuraVidaXP member venues participate — check with your host for the party lineup.
October marks the turning point — the rains begin to ease, the dry season approaches, and the high season energy begins to build. The October gathering coincides with the lead-up to Halloween and the first wave of high-season visitors. A great month to be in Manuel Antonio.
Two consecutive one-day Dorado tournaments one week apart — the most fun and accessible fishing events of the year in Quepos. No offshore experience required. Teams compete to weigh the single heaviest Dorado. Junior angler and lady angler categories included. Both are OWC qualifying events. $500 entry + optional jackpots up to $2,700 all-in.
A one-day team event with top honors going to the team that weighs the single heaviest Dorado. Prizes down to third place. Junior boy, junior girl, and lady angler categories all included. Registration and captain's meeting the evening before on November 13th. Shotgun start 7am, lines out 3:30pm, weigh station open 2–6pm, awards 7:30pm. An OWC qualifying event.
The second Dorado Derby — same format, one week later. Registration and captain's meeting November 20th. Shotgun start 7am, lines out 3:30pm, weigh station 2–6pm, awards 7:30pm. Optional jackpots up to $2,700 all-in. Junior and lady angler categories included. Another OWC qualifying event — two shots in two weeks.
The Tope is one of Costa Rica's most spectacular and uniquely Tico traditions — thousands of horses and riders parade through town streets in an extraordinary display of horsemanship, tradition, and national pride. The Quepos Tope typically takes place in November, drawing riders from across the region. If you've never seen a Costa Rican horse parade, this will stop you in your tracks.
High season has arrived. Boats are heading out, restaurants are full, and Manuel Antonio is buzzing. The November gathering celebrates the arrival of the season and helps visitors plan their stay around what the community has to offer. More member venues, more energy, more reasons to be here.
Costa Rica's Christmas season is deeply cultural and genuinely magical. Las Posadas re-enact the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph through candlelit neighborhood processions. The Festival de la Luz in San José — one of Latin America's most spectacular Christmas parades — draws hundreds of thousands. Locally, Quepos and Manuel Antonio light up with decorations, music, and community events throughout December. Christmas in Costa Rica is something you feel rather than just observe.
PuraVidaXP's end-of-year community celebration. A chance to reflect on what's been built, welcome new members, celebrate the season, and set the table for an even bigger 2027. Our biggest gathering of the year — food, music, community.
Fireworks over the Pacific, music everywhere, and a community that knows how to see in the New Year. One of the most magical nights of the year in the jungle. Book early — this is peak season and accommodation fills months in advance. Your local PuraVidaXP host will have the inside track on where to be and what's happening.
The tournament that kicks off every season. In 2026 this was the 10th anniversary event and it delivered a record-setting performance. Offshore dominates — billfish releases drive the leaderboard. Crews arrive prepared because this is not a warm-up event.
A single high-intensity day where the roosterfish takes center stage. Combines inshore and offshore fishing — moves fast and rewards variety. One of the most exciting single-day tournaments of the year. Anglers register the night before at Marina Pez Vela.
One of the most respected women-only fishing tournaments in the world. Entirely focused on billfish releases and clean execution. A strong, competitive international field with genuine prestige in the sportfishing community.
A single-day format that leaves no room for error. When Costa Rica's sailfish numbers peak in March, the Sailfish Slam delivers exactly what its name promises. Boats fish hard and fast — the best team on the water that day wins.
The inaugural 2026 IGFA Open in Quepos was spectacular — over 1,000 fish caught including 988 billfish. The 2027 edition returns March 12–13. Operated under strict IGFA rules with all events at Marina Pez Vela. Respected across the global sportfishing community.
The biggest event of the season. In 2026, Bisbee's expanded beyond Cabo San Lucas for the first time in 44 years — landing in Quepos with 79 elite teams, 1,722 Pacific sailfish released, and $2.155 million in prize money. The 2027 edition returns April 6–10. An all-release billfish format with world-record potential. Quepos at its most electric.
An invitational tournament — teams apply to participate rather than open registration. The season's closing statement. Dock parties, gala awards dinners at Marina Pez Vela, and the energy of the world's best teams wrapping up another extraordinary season in Quepos.
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