Pez Vela Marina in Quepos, Costa Rica, Now Open to the Public
(PRWEB) December 31, 2013 -- Anyone who has visited Quepos before 2008 would agree that the town was considered the dirty armpit of Manuel Antonio–we all have them and we all need them, but certainly don’t flaunt them. Go to Quepos to do your shopping and banking, and then get out–especially after dark, when the vampires come out.
But in the past few years there’ve been a number of changes that promise to change this image forever: the replacement of two ‘Oh, My God!’ bridges that were bottle necks to incoming traffic; a new coastal highway from San Jose, cutting the driving time down by an hour; several new parks, including a pedestrian waterfront walkway; and also the unveiling of the new ‘Marina Pez Vela'.
Promising to be one of Central America’s largest full-service marinas, Pez Vela is slowly unfolding its wings. In 2011 it was bought by PIMSA (Portafolio Inmobiliario)–a well-funded investment group which also has Banco Promerica and has done several affluent developments in the central valley, including parts of Avenida Escazu. After hosting the 2013 Offshore World Championship in mid 2013, the Pez Vela marina once again began to change its face. In a matter of a few months, the boardwalk and commercial areas of the marina sprouted up from the ground, galvanized by the upcoming event.
The Offshore World Championship set new records for catch-and-release: 811 sailfish, 9 blue marlin, and one striped marlin. In celebration, an event was held at the marina’s new commercial center, including awards, live music– even fireworks. With results like this, Pez Vela has attracted the attention of the deep sea fishing world.
Manuel Antonio is rapidly becoming known as the affluent, boutique beach destination of the central Pacific coast. The new Pez Vela marina only helps to support this, attracting the affluence of the boating industry, and offering a number of ocean tours to visitors. Tourists can stay in a luxury rental villa in Manuel Antonio such as Casa de las Cascadas, and use the marina in Quepos as the doorway to their ocean adventures.
Marinas are great places for sport fishers and landlubbers, alike: Walking down the boardwalk, watching the sea birds circle overhead, observing the boats and their creative names (such as the ‘Spanish Fly’, the ‘Mad Marlin’, and the ‘Reel Deal’). It’s fun to have lunch in a breezy, open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean, watch the boats come and go, and listen to live music at night.
The Pez Vela marina is officially open to the public. The famous Gran Escape restaurant and bar has already taken up residence on the second floor above the amphitheater, offering ocean-view seating and a warm ambience. The Milagro Restaurant is soon to follow. Already, the Pez Vela is shaping up to be one of the hippest hangouts in town. This New Years celebration will be the marina’s first—but certainly not its last.
Kent Thompson, Villa Vigia, http://VPPrivateResort.com, +506 2777-6815, [email protected]
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