El Avion
Dine inside a historic cargo plane with stunning ocean and jungle views. A unique and memorable experience in Manuel Antonio.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
El Avion
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dine inside a historic cargo plane with stunning ocean and jungle views. A unique and memorable experience in Manuel Antonio.
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Reservations recommended for faster service during busy periods.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Enjoy a more relaxed experience and fewer crowds by dining outside of peak times.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Costa Rican, International
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Dining in a Fairchild C-123 Cargo Plane
Experience a truly unique meal inside a historic cargo plane, once involved in the Iran-Contra affair. A one-of-a-kind setting!
Breathtaking Jungle and Ocean Views
Savor delicious food while enjoying panoramic vistas of the lush jungle and sparkling ocean, especially captivating at sunset.
Traditional Costa Rican Cuisine
Taste authentic local flavors with dishes like casados, featuring rice, beans, plantains, and your choice of meat.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Reservations recommended for faster service during busy periods.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Enjoy a more relaxed experience and fewer crowds by dining outside of peak times.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the tuna steak with shrimp or traditional casados for an authentic taste.
Consider the Price
Prices are higher, but the ambiance and views are considered worth it. Bring cash for tips.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Reservations recommended for faster service during busy periods.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Enjoy a more relaxed experience and fewer crowds by dining outside of peak times.
Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the tuna steak with shrimp or traditional casados for an authentic taste.
Consider the Price
Prices are higher, but the ambiance and views are considered worth it. Bring cash for tips.
Be Prepared for Wildlife
Monkeys may visit your table; please do not feed them.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
El Avion offers a unique dining experience with its historic cargo plane and stunning views, making it a popular spot for tourists. While the ambiance and unique setting are widely praised, some reviews mention that the food and drinks can be overpriced and occasionally lack flavor, with service sometimes being inconsistent. Despite these critiques, many find the overall experience memorable, especially for special occasions.
"Came here cause we were staying at the hotel. Great that they shuttle you to the restaurants cause the road is steep. Pricey but worth visiting. In comparison to other restaurants in the areas - drinks are actually high quality and therefore worth the price - I loved my pura vida drink. Kids had great fresh fruit smoothies. My beef nachos were really tasty - I requested it be made with the freshly fried tortillas - so good (they have bagged chips too if you prefer instead.) They have kids meals - standard grilled chicken which tends to be dry with yummy fries. Poke bowl was well enjoyed. Fish burger was good. Beautiful views and unique setting with the airplane. Worth a visit."
Monique Wong
"Fun dinner on our last night in Manual Antonio. The grouper is one of the best that I've had. Everyone also enjoyed their entrees. The only negatives I would say were the sides. Most entrees came with flavorless white rice and undercooked vegetables. Service was fantastic. We came in without a reservation and it was not busy at all. It does definitely cater to tourist bith in their pricing and menu but the atmosphere was great if you want to splurge."
B Phi
"We stopped here for dinner on our last night in Costa Rica with a group of 15. Since we had made reservations, our table was ready as soon as we arrived. The atmosphere was wonderful, and the views were amazing. To top it off, we even had a surprise visit from a White-faced Capuchin and her baby—though they were mostly interested in swiping sugar packets from the table!
From appetizers to main courses and dessert, everything we ordered was delicious. The combination of great food, beautiful setting, and unique experience made this the perfect way to end our trip. Highly recommend!"
James Jennings
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
El Avion is famous for being housed inside a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane with a history in the Iran-Contra scandal, offering unique dining and spectacular views.
The restaurant serves a varied menu with Costa Rican specialties like casados, as well as seafood, grilled meats, pasta, and sandwiches.
Yes, making a reservation in advance is recommended, especially during peak times, to ensure faster service.
Yes, it's common to spot monkeys and sometimes toucans from the restaurant's seating areas. Please do not feed them.
Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid crowds. Sunset is a particularly popular and beautiful time to dine.
Yes, El Avion offers vegetarian dishes, including options like salads, nachos, and pasta.
Prices are considered higher than average, but many guests find the unique experience and views justify the cost.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Restaurant La Luna Restaurant Quepos
Federico Grant - Local guide Costa Rica San Ramon De Tres Rios 30307 Ajouté par297 utilisateurs El Avion Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica Ajouté par156 utilisateurs Manuel Antonio Beach Manuel Antonio Beach, Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica Ajouté par91 utilisateurs Oxygen Jungle Villas Puntarenas, Costa Rica Ajouté par67 utilisateurs Café Rojo San Jose, Costa Rica Ajouté par75 utilisateurs Mercado Central Av. Central, San José, Costa Rica Ajouté par82 utilisateurs La Esquina de Buenos Aires Calle 11, frente al Hotel Colonial, Calle 7, Provincia de San José, San José, Costa Rica Ajouté par66 utilisateurs Selina Hostels San José Calle 15, San José, Costa Rica Ajouté par56 utilisateurs Kura Design Villas Uvita, Costa Rica Ajouté par52 utilisateurs Selina Hostel Puntarenas, Quepos, Costa Rica Ajouté par49 utilisateurs
Things to See & Do in Quepos, Costa Rica
Another gorgeous lookout can be had from a restaurant close by called El Avion. Spanish for ‘the plane’ this is exactly what you get here – a C-123 Fairchild cargo plane to be precise.Quite how the plane arrived here at all is a story of intrigue and scandal centered around the Reagan US presidential era and the Iran-Contra affair. As one-of-a-kind settings go this is about as unique as you will find anywhere with the bars and restaurant spaces utilizing the plane interior as well as being built around and over it.
BEST Quepos Shore Excursions: Things to Do, Cruise Day Tour & Reviews (2024)
El Avion: For beautiful jungle and ocean views and a lovely breeze, stop at El Avion (506 2777 3378) at the top of the hill. It's based around a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane (with a history in the Iran-Contra scandal), but mostly is a gorgeous open-air venue, where everything -- from the veranda to the tables and chairs -- is made of wood. The menu is varied with plenty of seafood, grilled meat, rice dishes, pasta and sandwiches.
Discovering the Best of Quepos
Some of the most popular restaurants include El Avion, which serves traditional Costa Rican cuisine, and La Cantina, which specializes in seafood. For a more upscale dining experience, visitors can try La Luna, which serves a variety of international dishes. For a more casual atmosphere, visitors can try El Chante, which serves traditional Costa Rican dishes.
Best Restaurants in Manuel Antonio and Quepos
The famous El Avión also lays claim to some of the best sunset views in the area. This unique restaurant created inside an old airplane has a fascinating history. As part of the notorious Iran-Contra scandal in the 1980s, it was purchased for use in the US-backed plot to attack the Nicaraguan Sandinista government.
Fun Things to Do in Quepos | Travel Guide (2023)
El Avión: Sample traditional Costa Rican cuisine such as the famous casados, an all-in-one plate of rice, beans, plantains, and your choice of meat.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit