There are no banks in town, neither ATMs. There are no gas stations. The road network of the town consists of unpaved roads. Monkeys and birds are as much part of the town as are people. The crashing of the ocean waves, the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds wrap the town in a melodious tune. Unless you take a domestic plane, reaching this town requires a boat ride across choppy waters or driving for long hours. That is Drake Bay for you. Located in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, this town is as remote as it can get. And there lies the beauty of Drake!
Gateway to the some of the most biodiverse places in Costa Rica, Drake Bay should be on any nature enthusiast’s preferred Costa Rica itinerary. But not just the guided tours and paid activities, if you allow yourself the time, you will also discover plenty of free yet rewarding things to do in Drake.
In this travel guide to Drake Bay, Costa Rica, we will share the details about the best things to do here and all the other logistics that will hopefully help you plan your own trip to Drake.
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11 Things to Do in Drake Bay
From ticking off bucket list Costa Rica wildlife sightings to enjoying dramatic sunsets, there are plenty of diverse things to do in Drake Bay. But one thing is for sure. When you are in the Osa Peninsula, all your activities will revolve around nature. So, visit Drake Bay and immerse yourself in the plethora of nature it presents.
Explore Drake Town on Foot
The town of Drake being so remote, it does not see the same pace of infrastructure development as some other parts of Costa Rica. For the same reason of being remote, not too many tourists flock here either. Yet, people here are happy. In fact, they are proud of the way they have always taken care of the precious nature of Osa, their home.
But you will only get to know about these perspectives, when you allow yourself the time to explore the town.
So, for Drake, as we always recommend with other beach towns in Costa Rica, whether it is Playa del Coco on the North Pacific or Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean, before diving into all the activities, take a walk around town to understand the pulse of the place.
From Left to Right: (1) Rugged yet beautiful roads of the Osa Peninsula, (2) Drake Bay, “The Village by the Sea”.
Spot Wildlife in Corcovado National Park
National Geographic once referred to Osa Peninsula as “the most biologically intense planet on earth”. That is because, this 0.001% of earth’s surface is home to hundreds of species of terrestrial animals, birds and marine life, constituting about 2.5% of world biodiversity.
To get a glimpse of this terrific biodiversity, go for hiking in Corcovado National Park. This huge national park spans over 42,560 hectares of land and 3,354 hectares of ocean. The park is divided into 5 main sectors, namely, San Pedrillo, Sirena, La Leona, Los Patos and El Tigre. However, the most common sectors visited from Drake Bay are Sirena and San Pedrillo stations.
The entrance fees to Corcovado National Park are 15 USD for foreigners and 1600 CRC for Costa Rica residents. However, you end up paying much more than that because it is mandatory to hire a guide to enter Corcovado. Guided Corcovado single day hikes cost between 95-110 USD. The tour price includes park entrance fees, boat transfer from Drake and the services of a bilingual guide. You can also go for multi-day hikes in Corcovado with the option to camp in the Sirena ranger station.
We went to the Sirena sector, which is around 1 hour boat ride from Drake. The wildlife spotting saga began the moment we got off the boat. From peccaries to tapir, from three-toed sloths to all 4 types of monkeys, from trogons to toucans, there were so many sightings that our eyes almost did not get to rest! Note that, your Corcovado adventure will probably have a thrilling boat ride (like ours) on that ocean, ending with wet landings.
From Left to Right: Sights of Corcovado National Park – (1) Baird’s Tapir, (2) Us by the SINAC signboard, (3) Squirrel Monkey.
Visit Cocolito Beach
From Drake town, it takes about 20-25 minutes to reach Cocolito beach on foot. It is a beautiful strip of golden sand beach where the blue waves stroke gently on the sand. Lush tropical forest bordering the length of the beach adds to Cocolito’s charm.
So, one of the relaxing things to do in Drake is to pack a picnic and spend the day at Playa Cocolito. To beat the heat, take a dip in the ocean and cool off under the shades of the trees. As you can figure, this is a free beach activity in Drake.
From Left to Right: (1) A signage in town, showing the approximate walking distances to different beaches around Drake Bay, (2), Us, and only us, at the Cocolito Beach.
Walk the Drake Bay Beach Hike Trail
You can take your free beach activity in Drake one notch higher and create a whole adventure out of it! Convert that 25 minute walk to Playa Cocolito into a full day beach hike, with not just one but dozens of pristine beaches along the way! According to us, this is the best free activity in Drake Bay.
The hiking trail is commonly referred to as the Drake Bay Beach Hike Trail. It starts in town and most people who walk this trail go until Playa San Josecito, a gorgeous beach. But when we did this hike, we ended up going further, beyond San Josecito. Also, we took much longer than this hike would usually take, because along the way, we got swayed by so many distractions! Distractions, sometimes in the form of macaws and monkeys, and sometimes swimming in the river (or even floating!). But all of those eventually made our Drake Bay Beach Hike experience even more memorable.
Read this post to know about our complete experience of walking the Drake Bay Beach Hike Trail, and the little misadventures that came along with it!
Go for River Floating in Rio Claro
As one of the distractions mentioned in the previous section, we ended up signing up for a tour that required us to float in the river! Literally. That was the tour!
The activity is called Rio Claro Floating. We were taken upstream the Claro river in a canoe. Then our canoe paddler and guide asked us to get off into the river. From there, wearing only swimsuits, life jackets and water shoes, we lay flat on our backs, on the surface of the river! The downstream current sent us along the right course of return.
The river floating activity was super relaxing, but this is Costa Rica! So, it did include some adventures like jumping from cliffs or swimming in waterfalls hidden in rocks.
In this article, we share all the details about how we stumbled upon this amazing river floating adventure and how you can actually plan yours beforehand!
Snorkel or Scuba Dive at Caño Island Biological Reserve
Located about 12 miles off the coast of Drake Bay town, Caño Island Biological Reserve is a protected area consisting of the island itself and the adjacent marine area. The reserve is famous for its rich marine life, warm waters and clear visibility. Naturally, with these ideal conditions, Caño Island is one of the best places in Costa Rica for scuba diving and snorkeling, which are also among the top things to do in Drake Bay. The island is only a 45 minutes boat ride away from Drake town.
If you want to begin or continue your diving lessons in Drake, you can sign up for the diving certification courses. If you are already a certified diver, you can book only the dives, which include all equipment. Cano Divers (in Pirate Cove Resort) and Costa Rica Adventure Divers are 2 PADI certified dive centers in Drake that offer diving certification courses as well as recreational dives. Aguila de Osa has a PADI certified dive center that offers recreational dives with experienced divemasters.
All the dive centers as well as many local tour companies in Drake Bay also offer snorkeling tours to Caño Island. So, if you are not up for diving, snorkeling can be a wonderful alternative. You will still get to observe a lot of colorful marine life. Caño Island snorkeling tours from Drake Bay usually cost around 100 USD per person.
At Caño Island Biological Reserve, some common sightings are sea turtles, sting rays, manta rays, sharks, reef fishes as well as open water fishes. Visibility is determined by weather conditions, and of course, as with any wildlife, the sightings depend on chances. During the boat transfer between Drake and Caño, you may get to spot whales and dolphins in the ocean!
Dolphin and Whale Watching
Want to see whales and dolphins for longer? Book a dolphin and whale watching tour.
Humpback whales from the polar regions migrate from the harsh conditions to the warm tropical waters for breeding. So, in Costa Rica, you get to spot humpback whales from the south during the months of July and October, and those from the northern waters between the months of January and April.
The South Pacific region of Costa Rica is particularly good for spotting migratory humpback whales from the south. During a whale watching tour for half a day, you can expect to see several whales, including mother and calf whale pairs. So, if you are visiting Drake Bay between the months of July and October, book a whale watching tour. And in Drake, you are likely to spot not just whales, but also pods of dolphins!
Bird Watching in Drake Bay
Since the Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, hundreds of species of birds call this place their home. So, it is one of the best places for birdwatching in Costa Rica.
In Drake Bay, you can book a guided birding tour or set out on your own to find different bird species. We did the latter. The owner of our hostel in Drake Bay gave us tips around which are the areas where we could go looking for birds. We scanned those areas. But we also spotted several birds during our everyday activities in Drake Bay, whether in the bushes by the road or in the jungle on the beach hike trail.
Our bird sightings included macaws, toucans, orioles, tanagers, motmots, trogons, woodpeckers, honeycreepers, only to name a few. We went birdwatching on our own because we enjoy the process of finding birds by following their calls. However, if you would like more guaranteed sightings, it is better to hire a guide for a birdwatching morning or afternoon in Drake.
Pro Tip: If you are into serious birdwatching, consider including these places to your Costa Rica itinerary: Monteverde, San Gerardo de Dota, Carara National Park, Boca Tapada, Cano Negro, Tortuguero.
From Left to Right: (1) Red Lored Parrot, (2) Chestnut-mandibled Toucan.
Drake Bay Jungle Night Tour
At night, the jungle comes alive with species that you do not usually get to see easily during daytime. So, night hikes in the jungle are great for spotting creepers and crawlers. On the Drake Bay night tour, the guide takes you to the trail where you will navigate different terrains of the rainforest and experience the sound of the jungle at night.
With expert observation skills of your guide, you can expect to spot bats, insects, frogs and snakes. During the night tour, you will learn so much about the creatures and their habitat, that your fear (if any) will soon turn into appreciation for life in the jungle.
A popular night tour in Drake Bay is with the biologist Tracie, also known as The Bug Lady. Check their Facebook page to view details and contact directly.
Read this post to know about a similar night tour we had done in Monteverde.
Terraba-Sierpe Mangrove Tour
You can take a boat tour to explore Costa Rica’s largest mangrove system, Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands. From Drake Bay, a 45 minutes boat ride takes you to the wetlands.
During the tour, you will get to spot wildlife both in the water and on land. Aquatic birds like egrets and herons are common sightings. Look out for river otters, caimans and crocodiles in the river, whereas on the land, you may find monkeys and sloths.
We had explored the Terraba-Sierpe Mangroves from Uvita in a private kayak tour. We enjoyed navigating the breathing roots of the mangroves while observing animals and birds, both by the water and up in the trees.
Enjoy Dramatic Sunsets of Drake Bay
Your days in Drake Bay may be very busy or relaxed, depending on the kind of activities you are pursuing. But whatever your day’s schedule looks like, do not miss the dramatic sunsets of Drake Bay!
As the white waves crash on the beach, the sky takes hues of orange and the sand glistens under the fading daylight. I think sunsets in Drake Bay are our favorite beach sunsets of Costa Rica. Or may be, second favorite, right after Playa Piñuelas.
For ideas on activities across various destinations of Costa Rica, check out this planning guide.
Best Time to Visit Drake Bay
Dry season in Drake Bay is from December to April. So, the chances of rain are lower during this period. This also means hiking in Corcovado on dry (and not muddy) trails and better visibility during snorkeling at Caño Islands. So, it is ideal to visit Drake Bay between the months of December and April.
However, if you are vacationing in Costa Rica during the rainy season/ green season (still a great time to visit Costa Rica), pick July or August to visit Drake Bay. It is still part of the whale watching season but skips the rainiest months of September and October. You can do all the other activities too during this time, but you need to set your expectations accordingly.
Read this post on the best time to visit Costa Rica for recommendations by month and season. As your Costa Rica travel planning tool, the article also contains couple of neat infographics!
How to Get to Drake Bay
There are 3 ways you can get to Drake Bay – by air, by water and by land.
By Air
Drake Bay is served by a domestic airport. So, you can take a domestic flight from San Jose to Drake Bay. Sansa Airlines offers 4 direct flights daily between San Jose and Drake Bay at 8:20 am, 8:35 am, 11:40 am and 2:10 pm. The flight time is 50 minutes, and after you arrive at Drake Bay airport, it will take another 15-20 minutes to reach the town by road. For prices and availability of flight tickets, check the Fly Sansa website.
By Water
This is the most common way of traveling to Drake Bay. You drive to Sierpe, park the car there (designated parking area) and take the boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay. 2 boats run daily from Sierpe to Drake, one at 11:30 am and the other at 3:30 pm. Remember, this boat ride can get adventurous but also offers beautiful views of the coastline. For returning from Drake Bay, you follow the reverse order.
By Land
This is the least preferred and most advised against mode of getting to Drake Bay. Driving. But that is what we did! Without a 4X4! However, contrary to all warnings, the drive was not that bad.
From San Jose, the distance to Drake Bay is 370 km (230 miles) and the drive takes about 7 hours. You can either take the coastal highway Ruta 34 or drive via Perez Zeledon on Ruta 2 before meeting Ruta 34 near Dominical. The drive times are similar, but the coastal route is much faster, as on Ruta 2, you would be driving on mountainous roads. We took the coastal highway, which has great road conditions and scenic views along the way.
The end of the coastal road finally merges again with Ruta 2. Continue on this road until Chacarita from where you take right to drive towards Drake Bay. The last stretch of about an hour, you will drive on not so great roads, but the surroundings will already start giving you the hint that you are heading somewhere remote. It is on this stretch that there are 3 river crossings you need to do with your car! We were fine with these, even though our car is not a 4X4, but has high ground clearance though. Also, at that time, bridges were being built, so soon river crossings with car will not be necessary for driving to Drake Bay.
Driving to Drake Bay – Notice the dust on our car hood? The roads were rough, but the views were nice!
Where to Stay in Drake Bay
In Drake Bay, you will find accommodation options ranging from budget hostels to simple guesthouses to luxury eco-resorts. Some are located right in town, while others are a bit off the main town center. Here are some stay options in Drake, by different budget categories.
Budget
- Mirian’s Place Drake: A comfortable stay in town offering rooms with garden views, private bathrooms and use of shared kitchen. They also have tour desk, outdoor seating area and an onsite restaurant. Click here to check prices and availability.
- Our Home Corcovado: Close to the beach, this guesthouse has family rooms for different group sizes. Click here to check prices and availability.
- Casita Happy Feet: Close to town, this family-run guesthouse has rooms catering to both solo travelers and families. The owner Javier himself is a naturalist guide (we went to Corcovado with him and had a great experience!). Click here to check prices and availability.
- Life for Life Hostel: Located in the remote Playa Rincon, this hostel offers accommodations of various types, rooms, tents and even hammocks! Disconnected from anything else, here you will be truly with nature, with only the basic amenities needed for living. Click here to check prices and availability.
Mid Range
- Pirate Cove: Tucked comfortably away from the town, this small hotel offers cabins and bungalows. They also have a PADI certified dive shop on site. Click here to check prices and availability.
- Hotel Cabinas Murillo: Located in Drake town, the hotel offers family rooms with terrace, while some units come with balcony and ocean views. Click here to check prices and availability.
- Cabaña Ara Macao Lodge: The lodge offers rooms with terraces, with some units also having kitchen equipped with refrigerator. It is located near the Colorada beach in Drake. Click here to check prices and availability.
- The Sunset Tucano Lodge: Located near Las Caletas beach, the lodge has garden view and ocean view rooms, and also offers full board meal plans . Click here to check prices and availability.
Luxury
- Copa de Arbol Beach and Rainforest Resort: An eco-luxury resort with various villa options accommodating different group sizes. Located between Drake town and Corcovdao National Park, the resort can be accessed by boat only. Click here to check prices and availability.
- Drake Bay Getaway Resort: Another eco-luxury boutique resort with only 5 cabins, all complete with gorgeous views of the ocean or the rainforest or both. The hotel offers all-inclusive stay packages and also organizes different tours in Drake. The resort looks perfect for a honeymoon! Click here to check prices and availability.
Where to Eat in Drake Bay
Drake Bay is a small town with a handful of options for dining out, especially if you are looking to have fancy dinner dates! These were some of the restaurants we had tried:
- Casa El Tortugo Drake’s Kitchen: For nice traditional food in a beautiful rustic setting.
- Kalaluna Bistro: For happy hour cocktails with ocean views. Or for a romantic dinner!
- Reina del Mar: For seafood, without pinching your pocket.
- La Choza: For drinks and dinner at a popular local hangout.
- Delicias Bahia Drake: From ceviches to casados, for all the Central American delicacies.
- Heladeria Popis Ice Cream: For ice-cream, of course! Perfect spot for post dinner dessert cravings 🙂
Check out our restaurant guides for other destinations in Costa Rica.
- Monteverde Restaurants Guide
- Uvita and Dominical Restaurants Guide
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Restaurants Guide
What to Pack for Drake Bay
The weather in Drake Bay is usually hot and humid. Moreover, your activities will include hiking in the jungle that require quick-dry long pants and hiking boots, as well as swimming in the ocean, for which you will need swimwear and water shoes. So, you need to pack accordingly.
In Drake Bay, the sun is harsh and you will often be exposed to bites and stings of insects. So, whatever you include in your Costa Rica bags, do not miss insect repellent and sunscreen, preferably reef safe.
Refer to our comprehensive packing guide about what to pack for Costa Rica. We have also included a FREE checklist for you to use when you pack your bags.
Final Thoughts
After having visited almost every nook and corner of this little country, we still find Drake Bay as one of the most rustic but quaint towns of Costa Rica. In this remote coastal town of the Osa Peninsula, nature takes the supreme priority. The people of Drake are also cognizant of the critical role that nature plays in defining their lives and livelihoods. So, humankind’s harmonious existence with nature is evident when you visit Drake Bay.
If you appreciate raw nature at its best, spend a few days in Drake Bay, disconnect from your everyday world, explore around and let the untamed wilderness of the Osa Peninsula mesmerize you!
Planning to visit Drake Bay soon? Or have you already been to this remote corner of Costa Rica? Drop your questions or share your experiences in the comments section below.
Looking for more popular places to visit in Costa Rica? Check out La Fortuna and Monteverde. For a collection of different Costa Rica itineraries, visit our Itinerary Corner.
Travel Planning Logistics
✨ We use these companies for our own travels, and can recommend them.
🏨 Accommodation:
✅ Booking.com – Our preferred choice for hotel bookings. On continued use, keep unlocking their Genius benefits.
✅ Airbnb – Where we find our “homes” for long term travel as digital nomads.
✅ Hostelworld – Our search for hostels begins here. Check reviews and join chats for that hostel community feel.
🏝️ Tours: Plan and book your tours in advance. We check –
- Viator for large collection of activities
- Get Your Guide for diverse tour choices
➡️ Check our Travel Resources Page for recommendations on local travel companies.
💼 Travel Insurance: Do not forget travel insurance.
- SafetyWing for digital nomads
- Heymondo for short trips or long term travel
Exclusive for Paradise Catchers Readers: Get 5% off on Heymondo (discount automatically applied, not applicable for US residents)
🚘 Rental Cars:
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🚐 Ground Transportation: Find minivans – shared transfers and private, buses and ferries, on Bookaway.
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✈️ Flights: We always start our flight searches from these aggregators:
✅ Skyscanner – Put “Everywhere” as your destination and find the best flight deals.
✅ Momondo – Check prices with your luggage inclusion options.
✅ Google Flights – Set price drop alerts for your dates and destination.
🧳 Packing: From swimwear to sunscreen, hiking pants to insect repellents, buy your vacation packing essentials on Amazon.
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