Quepos history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Quepos is rooted in the pre-Columbian era, when these lands were inhabited by the indigenous Quepoa people, who belonged to the Brunca group. It was from the name of this tribe that the city's name originated. The first documented contacts of Europeans with local inhabitants date back to 1563, when the Spanish conquistador Juan Vázquez de Coronado visited this region.

As a modern settlement and an important economic centre, Quepos began to form significantly later — in the first half of the 20th century. The actual establishment of the city as an administrative unit and port occurred in the 1930s, which was directly linked to the arrival of large agro-industrial companies.

Key Factors of Development

The development of the city was determined by several critically important circumstances:

• Geographical Location: The presence of a natural harbour on the Pacific coast made this place ideal for creating a port necessary for exporting agricultural products.
• Influence of the "United Fruit Company": In the 1930s, a subsidiary of this giant, the Compañía Bananera de Costa Rica, began large-scale development of the region. Swamps were drained, dams were built, and extensive banana plantations were established.
• Infrastructure: To ensure the export of "green gold" (bananas), a port, railway, and roads connecting the plantations to the coast were built, turning the small settlement into a bustling trading hub.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its period of active growth, Quepos developed as a classic "company town". The economy was monocultural and completely dependent on banana exports. This left an imprint on the early appearance of the city:

• Social Structure: The company built housing for workers and administrative buildings, creating a clearly structured community. A hospital and schools were erected, distinguishing Quepos from less developed neighbouring regions.
• Population Migration: The demand for labour attracted many settlers to the region from other parts of Costa Rica and neighbouring countries, forming a diverse cultural background.
• Change of Vector: In the mid-20th century, due to banana diseases (Panama disease), the economy began to reorient towards growing African oil palm, which changed the landscape and economic structure of the region even before the start of the tourism boom.

Key Milestones in the History of Quepos

• 1563: Spanish explorer Juan Vázquez de Coronado arrives in the region and makes first contact with the indigenous Quepoa people.
• Early 20th Century: A small settlement exists on the site of the future city, with residents engaged in fishing and small-scale agriculture.
• 1939: The arrival of the United Fruit Company and the start of port and dam construction, launching the urbanization of the district.
• 1940–1945: The peak of the "banana boom", accompanied by active construction of housing for workers, schools, and a hospital.
• 30 October 1948: The Canton of Aguirre is officially formed, with the city of Quepos becoming its administrative centre.
• Mid-1950s: An epidemic of "Panama disease" destroys banana plantations, forcing the region to switch to oil palm cultivation.
• 15 November 1972: The founding of Manuel Antonio National Park, which became a key event for transforming the city into a tourism centre.
• 1990s: The beginning of active infrastructure development for eco-tourism and sport fishing, which became the foundation of the city's new economy.
• 2010: The opening of the modern Marina Pez Vela, turning Quepos into one of the main yachting centres on the Pacific coast of Central America.
• 2015: The Canton of Aguirre is officially renamed the Canton of Quepos so that the name of the administrative unit matches the name of its main city and historical roots.

Evolution of the Urban Landscape and Economy

The history of Quepos is a clear example of how an industrial enclave can be reborn into a thriving tourist centre while preserving unique features of the past. The city has journeyed from a closed agro-corporate settlement to a sea gateway open to the world, and this transformation is clearly legible in its architecture and layout.

A special place in the urban fabric is occupied by the so-called "American Zone" (Zona Americana). This district, designed during the dominance of the United Fruit Company, differs strikingly from the typical development of Costa Rican towns. Spacious wooden houses on stilts built for company managers, wide streets, and social infrastructure buildings have been preserved here. This architectural ensemble serves as a living reminder of the "banana empire" era, when Quepos was one of the most technically equipped small towns in the region, with its own hospital and schools setting high living standards.

The city's economic vector also underwent cardinal changes, which was reflected in the coastline. The old port, which once served exclusively for loading thousands of tonnes of bananas and palm oil, gave way to the modern Marina Pez Vela. The industrial zone turned into an elegant promenade with restaurants and boutiques, where sport boats and luxury yachts now moor instead of cargo ships. This change in physical space symbolizes the transition from an agrarian economy to the hospitality and elite sports industry.

The final stage of the city's self-determination was the restoration of historical justice in toponymy. For a long time, the district bore the name Aguirre, but the official return of the name Quepos for the entire canton cemented the connection of the modern resort with the heritage of the indigenous Quepoa people. Today, the city harmoniously combines the functions of a logistics hub for national park visitors and an independent destination with a rich historical atmosphere.

Architectural Identity and City Development

The architectural appearance of Quepos is unique in that it was not formed over centuries like old European cities, but emerged rapidly in the 20th century as a specialized project. You will not find Gothic or Baroque styles here; instead, the city represents an interesting example of functional tropical urban planning that evolved from an industrial settlement to a modern tourism hub.

Main Architectural Eras

• The "Banana Company" Era (1930–1950s):

  The defining period for the historical centre. At this time, the functional colonial style, characteristic of United Fruit Company settlements in Central America, dominated. Construction was carried out systematically, with clear zoning.

• Period of Adaptation (1960–1990s):

  After the departure of the banana company, the city began to expand spontaneously. Typical Costa Rican provincial development appeared: one- and two-storey buildings made of concrete with tin roofs, oriented towards practicality and protection from the humid climate.

• The Era of Tourism (from the 2000s):

  The modern stage is characterized by eclecticism and the introduction of Resort Style. This is manifested in the construction of the marina, hotels, and villas using modern materials, panoramic glazing, and elements of Mediterranean design.

Iconic Districts and Buildings

The urban structure of Quepos is clearly divided into several zones, each reflecting its own historical layer:

• La Zona Americana:

  The most atmospheric district of the city, preserving the spirit of the mid-20th century. Here lie the historic wooden houses built for company executives. Their distinguishing features are high stilts (for flood protection and improved ventilation), spacious verandas, and wide roof eaves. This is a vivid example of the adaptation of North American housing to the tropics.

• Marina Pez Vela:

  The face of modern Quepos. The complex is built in the style of modern classicism with elements of colonial architecture: arches, light facades, tiled roofs, and well-groomed plazas. This is a district that sets new aesthetic standards for the entire coast.

• City Centre (El Centro):

  Represents a classic rectangular street grid (grid plan), laid out by engineers in the 1930s. Despite the simple architecture of commercial buildings, the layout of the streets remains convenient and logical, preserving the historical framework of the city.

Historical Figures and Leaders

• Cacique Corrohore
  Ruler of the Quepoa people (16th Century)
  Chief of the indigenous people who inhabited these lands before the arrival of Europeans. In 1563, he met the Spanish expedition not with weapons, but with a diplomatic proposal. Corrohore concluded a historic alliance with the conquistadors to secure their support in the war against the hostile Coto tribe and to save his sister. His name has become a symbol of the region's ancient history.
• Juan Vázquez de Coronado
  Spanish Conquistador and Governor (1523–1565)
  The first European to establish peaceful contact with the inhabitants of the Quepos region. Unlike many other conquerors, he is known for his diplomacy. It was he who described the Quepoa people as "the cleanest and most intelligent people" he had met in the New World, and he helped them return the kidnapped Princess Dulcehé.
• Princess Dulcehé
  Member of the Quepoa nobility (16th Century)
  Sister of Cacique Corrohore, whose fate played a key role in early colonial history. Her abduction by a rival tribe was the reason for the first joint military campaign of the Spanish and the Quepoa Indians. This event cemented the alliance that defined the further development of the region.

Pioneers of Development and Modern Figures

• Agathon Lutz Steiegele
  Entrepreneur and Agro-industry Pioneer (Early 20th Century)
  Founder of the Pirrís Farm Trading Co. Even before the arrival of the giant United Fruit Company, he recognized the region's potential for growing bananas. In the 1920s, Lutz began buying up land and built the first wooden pier in Boca Vieja (Old Quepos), laying the foundation for the city's future port economy.
• Arthur Aimé Bergeron
  Landowner (Mid-20th Century)
  A figure who unwittingly became the catalyst for the creation of the national park. Bergeron was the owner of the lands where Manuel Antonio Park is now located. His attempts to fence off the territory and close local access to the beaches caused mass protests (the "War of the Gates"), which led to state intervention and the nationalization of the lands.
• Pedro Gaspar Zúñiga
  Municipal Official and Activist (20th Century)
  A man who can be called the "father" of Manuel Antonio National Park. In response to the actions of private owners closing off beaches, he led the movement for public rights. Zúñiga drafted the declaration and secured a meeting with legislators, which ultimately led to the passing of the law establishing the park in 1972, forever changing the fate of Quepos.