The Ultimate guide for Drake Bay

From the eyes of a visitor

The first time I heard about Drake Bay, it was from a friend, whose father had just gotten a job as a tour guide on the Corcovado National park. Out of nowhere I had an invitation to visit this remote town in Costa Rica, that I had no idea existed. That day, while listening to the incessant sounds of vehicles on the streets. And the quaint chats of people traveling on public transportation returning home. I was reluctant on making the decision to visit Drake Bay. I was a person used to the city and the hustle. Therefore the words of virgin, unexplored, wild beaches, forests, wildlife; snakes, crocodiles, dolphins and tapirs. Seemed a bit distant to me and I associated them more with the commercials seen on television.

Several days passed and my friend kept talking about this small town. As consecuence, curiosity was growing in me. His story transported me to a place full of natural and cultural beauties. Finally, driven by curiosity, the traveling spirit and, moreover, based on that story. I had resolved to start a journey to this destination.

The journey

The journey began… Suddely I was on a bus crossing the country, on the pacific cost. Then I arrived at a town called Palmar Norte. Once there I took the second transport, this time a taxi to the port of Sierpe. The town that owes its name to a magnificent river of seven heads (according to the natives).

There, we boarded a small boat that took us on our last leg of the journey to our destination. During the course, we traveled in the middle of dense mangrove forests. Sailing under the scrutiny of the predatory gaze of the crocodiles. While observing an exuberant variety of birds furrowing along the banks of the river. For me, as for everyone who was traveling for the first time. The maelstrom, more than a trip, was a hypnotic trance of exuberant landscapes full of life. Certainly, with unexpected and pleasant surprises such as finding little monkeys jumping in the branches of the mangrove trees.

Continuing our journey, we arrive at the mouth of the Sierpe. At this point the waters of the river embrace with those of the Pacific. I remembered, that our eyes were half open by the glimpses of the sunset reflected in the water. Soon, we were able to see in the distance the Cano Island. Nicely, sitting like a crown on one of the largest and well-preserved coral reef formations in the Pacific coast.

Reaching Drake Bay

We continue along the green and wild coast of the Osa Peninsula. Naturally, we could see nothing but trees and mountains full of jungle until we reach our final destination. Certainly, it was hard to imagine that there was any town among that dense jungle. However,as the boat got closer to the beach. Some glimpses of civilization began to be distinguished. And finally we could see some locals waiting for us with a smile on their faces,}. While saying – welcome to Drake Bay, Pura Vida!

Where is Drake Bay located?

Drake Bay is a remote town even for the “Ticos”. It is located east of the Osa Peninsula, on the southwest coast of Costa Rica. Within the area classified as: “the place of greatest biological intensity on the planet”.

How to get to Drake Bay?

There are 3 options which can be taken into consideration when heading to Drake Bay from San José.

How to get to Drake Bay by Public transportation

The first option can be done through public transport. Since there is a bus company called TRACOPA that runs a route to reach Palmar Norte. Overthere you must get off to take the next taxi transport to reach Sierpe. And therefore board the boat that will take you to Drake Bay. You can check the hours they offer at www.tracopa.com

Boats to Drake bay, from Sierpe. Leave every day at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm.

How to get to Drake Bay By car

The second option can be done in your own vehicle. This way, you can take either of the two routes that reach Sierpe. Once there you can address the boat transportation to Drake Bay .

The first route can be done by the inter-American highway. Here you will pass through San Isidro de Pérez Zeledón. Otherways, by the new coastal highway the national route 34 called Pacifica Fernández Oreamuno. Better known as the southern coastal highway. This road will pass in front of places like Quepos, Dominical, Uvita. Finally arriving at Palmar Norte where you will have to deviate towards Sierpe. And then board the boat towards Drake Bay. The best recommended application to travel through Costa Rica is WAZE.

The boats towards Drake Bay leave at: 11: 30 am & 4:00 pm

Note: The town of Drake can be reached by vehicle; however, we only recommend it in the dry season and the vehicle must be 4×4. If you want to do it in the rainy season. It is better to consult us the day before to confirm that the road has not suffered  land slides. Or the rivers are not very grown from rain. You can contact us at the number: +506 7117 9166 or by writing to the email: info@sukiatravel.com

How to get to Drake Bay By plane

The third and last option is by air. Drake Bay has a small airport where small airlines arrive from the Tobias Bolaños airport or Juan Santamaria airport. Both in San José area.

Drake Bay and its characteristics

“Drake Bay is a picturesque place full of folklore, where fantasy and landscapes mix subtly” – André Gaitán

This bay is believed to have been a port used by British Vice Admiral Francis Drake “The Explorer”,. And for the Spanish Francisco Draque “The Pirate” . During his Pacific expeditions, with the intention of establishing a permanent English settlement in Panama during the century XVl. As well as being one of the locations of one of the British pirate”s legendary hidden treasures.

We can also highlight its charismatic population. Furthermore, the privileged location of the place. Given the fact that it is the place with the best and fastest access to the stations of San Pedrillo and Sirena. Within the Corcovado National Park. As well as to the Cano Island. One of the best points for diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica.

The town has several of the amenities that we can find in any tourist settlement. Such as drinking water, electricity, telephone signal and a small airport just 15 minutes from the town center.

Top Drake Bay Attractions

As I mentioned at the beginning, accessing the Corcovado National Park has never been easier. Therefore, you can schedule either a day tour or an overnight stay in the park. In addition, you can take tours to the exuberant mangrove forest of sierpe.

In case you thought it ended there. We can also book a visit to the Tamanduá Biological Reserve. Which has small waterfalls and pools that serve for the recreation of the visitor. Including the experience of being immersed in an exquisite primary forest that borders the Corcovado National Park. And who knows, maybe see some of the cats that inhabit the area.

Last but not least. Remember we have one of the best diving and snorkeling points in Costa Rica. Cano Island, and just 40 min away from Drake Bay.

Drake Bay lodging

Although Drake Bay is a small town, it has several accommodation options for the visitor.

The accommodation will depend on what the visitor is looking for. For instance you can choose from a shared room in one of the lodgings. As well as , private rooms with air conditioning, private bathroom, television, and room service. Furthermore, you also have option to experience a wellness center. In order to connect with nature and detoxify from life in the city.

Gastronomy in Drake Bay

One of the great concerns of the visitor when it comes to Drake Bay is where they will eat.

Drake Bay has several restaurants, which offer different dining options. Which can include both national and international dishes. One of the recommended dishes to try in Drake Bay is the “ceviche”.

Regarding pricing, you can certainly get accessibility. Most of the prices, between one and the other restaurant are quite standard. For instance, one of the popular dishes in the area you can find with a fairly comfortable price of $8. Is the “casado” which can contain salad, a portion chicken, beef, or pork, rice, beans, and potato hash.

If you have specially dietary restrictions, such as vegetarian or vegan . You can surely find options. Finally, is worht to mention that there are also supermarkets where you can buy food to prepare.

Recommended wildlife packages for Costa Rica and Corcovado

These will depend on what the visitor is looking for. For instance if you are the type of traveler looking for a medium intensity experience. In addition you love animal watching and you are into photography. We can definitely, recommend you Osa Nature Lovers . Undoubtedly, this is the type of package that you are looking for. However, if instead you are looking for a more intense experience. And, for instance, you like long walks and also observing the diversity of local biomes. Osa Adventure Lovers is for you.

Recommended Drake Bay tours

If you are looking for an immersive experience. Including the chances to observe a largest number of animals. Naturally, staying in the Corcovado National Park is what you are looking for. You can book an “overnight tour” in any of the stations. It could be either in San Pedrillo or Sirena.

However, if you don”t have much time to visit the area. You can take a day tour to the Sirena station in the Corcovado National Park. Or a snorkeling or diving tour to the beautiful Cano Island. An adventure tour at the Tamanduá Biological Station. Or the sober landscapes of the Térraba -Sierpe mangrove forest.

Free activities to do in Drake Bay

Within the vicinity of Drake Bay. There are many beaches along the coast, where you can swim without any restrictions. Unless the weather conditions do not allow it. Otherwise, you can just enjoy the beauty of these series of beaches that are small, beautiful and hardly visited. For instance, one of the beaches you find first is Cocalito beach. A small one where you can enjoy some privacy. In deed, it is surrounded by a wooded area which also provides coverage from the sun. We also have Caletas beach. Moreover, the most visited and the most optimal place to swim, San Josecito beach.

In addition to the beaches “during the night” when there is no moon. You can take advantage of the bioluminescent plankton, which glows like small glimpses in the water.

Whale season on the Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula is full of untamable and exotic beauties. For instance, and in addition to its lush land fauna. The Osa Peninsula is also an excellent place for whale watching. Especially if you are in Drake Bay, because this is the perfect place to observe these incredible animals. The most common to observe in the periods that we will mention below are humpback whales.

In Costa Rica we can observe whales during two periods of the year.

The first group of whales that visit us are those of the northern hemisphere. Which come at the beginning of the year, from the end of December until March.

 The second season of these big animals takes place in the middle of the year. Between the months of July and November. Although this can last until the end of December, when those from the south arrive, which are more numerous.

For visitors to Drake Bay it is a memorable sight to be in the presence of these impressive cetaceans.

The humpback whales or Megaptera Novaeangliae. Is one of the most notorious whales among the cetaceans due to the dorsal fin hump. Besides they have two nostrils. Furthermore they can also weigh between 30 to 50 tons of weight. However, the population from the colder areas could be larger. Another intresting fact is that they are adapted for tropical and polar climates. Finally, we can mention that they reach sexual maturity at the age of 5 or 4 years old.

The male can sing to be able to attract the female. The song can pause between one season and another. And then be resumed in the next season right where he left off. The female may have a new calf every two to three years. The diet of the offspring of this species is quite complex. Since they must gain enough weight to survive the extreme conditions in which their similar adults live.

A newborn calf can measure between four and five meters in length. And consume a large amount of milk from the mother. Regarding the milk, we can note that mainly contains fat. This in order for the calf to feed from it in the water.

If you want to experience something totally out of the ordinary. We recommend you do a whale watching tour. In addition to see whales, you can also see one of the populations of dolphins that inhabit the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Among other living beings that inhabit the waters. Even perhaps observe the phenomenon of flying rays!