Drake Bay – South Pacific Region of Costa Rica

Resting on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay (Bahía Drake) is an adventure-seekers paradise. It is named after Sir Francis Drake who is believed to have ventured here in the late 16 century. With scattered hotels and lodges, Drake Bay is the ideal vacation spot for those wishing to relax and escape from it all. If, after you

have arrived, you decide that the isolation is too much, the rustic area around the bay provides a plethora of activities at your disposal. These include scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, horseback riding, hiking (Corcovado National Park), sport fishing, bird-watching or exploring the miles of deserted picturesque coastline.

Hotels in Drake Bay

Things to Do

Getting to Drake Bay

Nearby Attractions

Corcovado National Park

25km

Marino Ballena National Park

144km

Isla del Caño Biological Reserve

20km

351 Visitor Ratings

Culture

Experience

Nature

Representation

Safety

Touristy

The quest to get to Drake Bay is an adventure all by itself. From Palmar Norte, head south 9.3 mi (15 km) towards the town of Sierpe. Taxis and buses, which leave multiple times per day, are both convenient methods for making the connection. Once in Sierpe, you can catch a ride down the Sierpe River (Río Sierpe) with a water taxi or a boat. The two hour trip down the river may give the impression of how the area was when Sir Francis Drake himself careened his vessel. Closer to the town of Drake Bay, is a small airport with direct 45 minute flights to and from San José, which leave daily.

Access to the bay is possible with the help of a dirt road during the dry season, however, some of the most memorable and scenic spots can only be reached by boat. Flooding can cause the road leading to Drake to be impossible to pass, so depending on the season, your rental car may not be able to venture past Sierpe. River taxis are the most common form of transportation and give vacationers a lift to the bay for a fairly modest price.

Drake Bay is located 20 mi (32 km) southwest of Palmar. The closest entrance to Corcovado National Park is San Pedrillo, positioned to the south 10 mi (16 km) along the palm lined, shimmering coastline. After paying an entrance fee, hikers can wander in wonder among the various trails that wind throughout the protected park, discovering for themselves why this area, rich in rain forest and wildlife, is so amazing.

Two protected zones abut Corcovado National Park to the southwest of Drake. Protecting an assortment of beach and tropical forest, the 1,235 acre (500 ha) Punta Río Claro National Wildlife Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Punta Río Claro) occupies the hills south of the small town of Agujitas. Further south along the coast is the Campanario Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Campanario), which offers courses in Neotropical Ecology and very rustic accommodations.

Drake Bay provides a wonderful base to explore the uninhabited Caño Island (Isla del Caño) and the Caño Island Biological Reserve (Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño). One of the most popular and pristine snorkeling locations in the area, the island has remnants from an ancient civilization that carved stone spheres dating back to pre-Columbian eras. The reserve makes up 740 acres (300 ha) of beautiful protected land with trails allowing you to explore this sacred anomaly. Its beaches are frequently visited by olive Ridley sea turtles, who venture ashore to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches. Just offshore, whales and dolphins like to congregate in the temperate waters. Many tours to the island are available from Drake, as the island sits about 10 miles (16 km) offshore.

Currently no ATM or bank exisits in Drake Bay.

Nature Top Destinations Beach Rainforest

Comments

"It was our favourite destination, we definately want to go back! "

Feb 2013

"Drake Bay is the most isolated and primitive of the locations I visited. It is ideal for those who are looking for peace and quiet"

Jan 2013

"Drake Bay is a must see if you enjoy nature. National Park is excellent and the beaches are remote. The only downside is transportation. It's not easy to get around if you fly in or take the boat taxi. Locals were friendly and helpful. Very safe area."

Jan 2013

"Go explore the beaches early in the day before the tide comes in, you will see lots of wildlife along the path & its amazing to see how the beaches change at high tide. This area is very secluded, there aren't shops or bars at the beaches, which is really a nice change of pace. This is a place for nature lovers."

Dec 2012

"Definitely take the guided tour though Corcovado National Park-very cool. Cano Island was very good for scuba diving. This is a remote place, not touristy, great bird watching, bring binocuolars, bug spray...loved being there! Highlight!!"

Dec 2012

"We were treated like royalty & warmly the entire stay! A lovely boat ride on the emerald green waters of pacific ocean got us to the absolutely gorgeous Casa Corcovado Jungle lodge - located high up on the hill, tucked away in the emerald forest of Casa Corcovado National park, with no roads leading up to the Wilderness Lodge! Incredible!"

Jun 2012

"Verrrryyyy remote. But I loved the smallness of the hotel and the interaction between the guests. Just don't expect a "Mexico" type of all inclusive. Only 5 to 7 guests total while we were there. Staff went out of the way to be friendly. Went scuba diving. Swam with lots of sharks and turtles, sting rays, sea horses. Coral not that great, but sea life was some of the best I've ever seen."

Apr 2012

"We felt very safe in all of Drake Bay area even walking alone at night through the town. The only thing we noticed is that the town is a bit larger than the description said so that may need to be updated. We visited Corcovado National Park where our guide Carlos was very good at pointing everything out. We also signed up to do the night-tour and unfortunately I have forgotten his name, but that was a fantastic tour! We were able to see a lot of little critters and learn so much about Drake Bay area from our guide. We also went snorkeling off Cano Island. The water was kind of cloudy but our guides Evan and Danny were wonderful and even steered the boat off to see a pod of spotted dolphins on our way back. One of my favorite things was walking to San Josesito beach and finding Ricardo who took us by canoe up the Rio Clara. The water was peaceful and very relaxing. Drake Bay was wonderful!"

Apr 2012

"This is a great destination! We took the boat tour to the boat tour to the ranger station at Corcovado National Park. We also took the Mangrove tour up the Sierpe River where we saw so much wildlife, toucans, Scarlet Macaws, white faced monkeys! So much to see."

Apr 2012

"Very beautiful. Warmest ocean water. Green, and more green everywhere you look. Suprisingly not as humid as I thought it would be - maybe the breeze off the ocean helped that. Great monkeys and beautiful parrots. I still think the crocodile on the river was plastic - I never saw it move. The water taxis were punctual and well coordinated with land travel too. Oh the flowers were gorgeous."

Feb 2012

"Drake Bay was wonderful; pefect amount of relaxation and adventure."

Feb 2012

"A beautiful spot everything we wanted and could imagine"

Feb 2012

"Corcovado National Park was one of the highlights of the trip, was saw tons of wildlife in different ecosystems and many rare animals. We also did the river canoe tour which was our favorite tour of the whole trip. Drake Bay is awesome!"

Nov 2011

"The Osa Peninsula is the place for nature lovers. The food was good and Costa Rican, which was very enjoable."

Nov 2011

"We loved Drake Bay. The hotel where we stayed had a very eclectic mix of guests which was very nice. The ocean was swimmable, but silty. The hammocks on the deck of our room was great. There's a bar in the town that served the coldest beer I had on the entire vacation. That was heaven."

Apr 2012

"I would highly recommend this destination to anyone who does not get sea sick. All transportation is by boat so that might be a problem for some and should be asked prior to booking here. (It was not a problem for us.) It is not a place for people who like to party either."

Dec 2011

"Safe, no tourists, so great, calm, could hear ocean waves every night. Yes for nature lovers, locals were very kind, best of our trip."

Dec 2011

"Safe and Wild nature place.We like it a lot!!!"

Dec 2011

"loved the trails along the water, the locals were kind, friendly and curious. It was so mellow here, quiet. I would live here in a heartbeat! The guides were amazing, knowledgeable, excited to show you their neighborhood, their flora and fauna. Drake Bay and our stay at Jinetes de Osa was our favorite part of the entire trip!!!"

Nov 2011

"Drake Bay was the most remote destination, with RainForests and Beaches so vast and indescribably beautiful I could not get enough of it. I would like to come live at Drake Bay someday!! I would at least like to return to Drake Bay for an extended stay."

Sep 2011

"We did not venture far from our hotel, We felt completely safe and at ease where we were, This is not a toursity location in that there were only 1 family and 2 other couples staying at our hotel and we didn't see anyone else. Well, except when we snorkeld there were close to a hundred people at the Isla de Cano snorkling or diving. But we had plenty of room to snorkle and saw plenty of fish. Drake Bay is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica. We have been almost everywhere on the pacific side minus a very few small towns. It is beautiful and diverse and quiet and very peaceful and relaxing. (except for the rain storms)"

Jul 2011

"I loved this area. Everyone was relaxed and happy and I didn't feel like I was thought of as a tourist with money. People were just wonderful. It is not too touristy. I would be sure to return to this area on my next trip."

Apr 2011

"Drake Bay was the highlight of the trip. It's beautiful and peaceful. I hope to get back someday."

Jan 2011