Discover Drake Bay!

Plan your Visit to Paradise

Discover Drake Bay Costa Rica!

A crown jewel in the spectacular Natural wonder that is Costa Rica, Drake Bay…or Bahia Drake is a must experience for anyone. Built around primary tropical rainforest, lush with dense jungle and plentiful wildlife. Bordering the world famous Corcovado National park.  Truly heaven on Earth for those that appreciate Nature in all its forms.

This is the place I now call home for most of the year since 2020. Blessed to spend so much time here and experience the area daily, working with the best local guides, operators and hotels. This page is dedicated to all things Drake and perfect for those wanting to plan a visit. I can help plan your independent visit complete with your choice of activities below or join an all inclusive, fully guided curated 5 day package!

English, Spanish & Greek spoken.

However you choose to visit, once here it will be a place you never forget.

Reasons you need to Visit Drake

You could spend all your time in Costa Rica happily exploring and enjoying Drake Bay & the Osa. Here are some of the best reasons you need to experience this magical oasis.

  • Amazing Wildlife

    Bordering Corcovado National Park and absolutely teeming with wildlife, Drake Bay is blessed to be the home of so many amazing animals. No need to leave the main beaches for chances to see dozens of Scarlet McCaws fly overhead, colourful songbirds share their joy or large iguanas to lazily much plants beside the road. Take to one of the trails or head into Corcovado itself for sightings of sloths, monkeys, tapirs, snakes and so much more. Heralded as one of the most Bio Diverse places on the entire planet! The amount of wildlife I see without even leaving my house astounds me every single day. Truly an animals lovers heaven.

  • Gorgeous Natural Beaches

    Playa Colerada or Drake Bay beach is a gorgeous, calm bay with warm water suitable for swimming and floating until your hearts content. It’s located just in front of the hilly town of Bahia Drake with restaurants and places to stay. It’s shores teem with wildlife and Scarlet Macaws are a common and blissful sight in the almond trees. If you time your visit with mango season, the air will be filled with the most delicious scents. There are many trails and other beaches nearby but I never got tired of spending my days on this long, dark brown bay. Walk in either direction for an endless offering of more beaches, each ruggedly beautiful.

    Some of my favourites for different reasons include,

    Playa Joyita ~  Playa Calletta ~ Playa Cocalito ~ Playa San Josecito. All close by!

  • Walkable Beach Town

    The town of Drake is nested in the bay a mere 5 minutes walk to the beach from almost any accomodation. One main road runs from the airport through the town, to the beach or around up to Los Planes.
    All the shops, restaurants, most accomodations and tour operators can be found somewhere on this road within 15 minutes. Stay close to the main town for easy access to everything!

  • Rivers & Waterfalls

    Fresh water is the source of all life and here in Drake Bay we are blessed. Drake Bay and the surrounding country side is anything but flat with high mountains, deep valleys and a wealth of deep ground fresh water springs that feed an abundance of fresh water veins that curve and tumble throughout the topography as they make their way down to meet the warm Pacific. Magnets for wildlife you can chose to explore streams or creeks, many wide and shallow rivers or majestic waterfalls.

    Choose your adventure on foot, kayak, ATV or horseback!

  • Warm Community

    As most experienced travelers will attest to, the people you meet in the places you travel to can make or break your impressions and enjoyment of a country. The people of Costa Rica in general are warm, welcoming and helpful. They genuinely enjoy seeing people from all over the world visit and embrace all that Costa Rica has to offer. Tourism has always been a large part of the economy here and whole villages tend to work together to ensure all visitors are looked after. Of course as with all countries, having someone on the inside help make fast connections with the RIGHT local, operator or service always makes life easier and less stressful :)

  • Ocean Dream

    Not only does Drake boast one of the most Bio diverse land habitats on the planet, the Pacific ocean that surrounds the peninsula on 3 sides is absolutely teeming with the most magnificent ocean creatures to be found on Earth! A year round playground that sees everything Whales, Orcas, Dolphins, huge amounts of fish, nesting turtles, rays and more. To say it’s magical to those that love the water is almost an understatement! One of the premier dive sites in the world, Cano and Coco island sit close by. Whatever you want to see that lives in the water can be found here. Choose anything from diving, snorkeling to whale watching tours and fishing expeditions. No visit to Drake is complete without a day on the water.

  • Authentic "Island like" Experience

    Drake Bay is not like the rest of Costa Rica. Isolated and remote, cut off from development and mass tourism due do its hard to get to location it feels more like an island. Most visitors still arrive by boat from the Sierpe mangroves surfing the river mouth before being dropped off in soft surf on the main beach. The road to Drake is very steep and until 2022 was barred by 5 river crossings that could potentially block or severely delay your arrival lol  This year the last of the bridges have been completed so the river crossings are easier BUT the road is still very steep and only a strong 4 x 4 will make it.

    Drake Bay is a step behind the times but that is a wonderful thing. Rugged good looks, simple living and co existence with the rain forest. I hope most things never change here.

Experiences in Drake Bay

My top choices for acttivites amd tours of the area. I only work with the best operators for great experiences. Custom activities possible.

Email me to book – Include experience, date, hotel & # of guests

I’ve been helping make the most of their precious vacation time for over 15 years both in Canada and internationally. Let me help you book the best experiences and operators in the Osa with local knowledge but international customer service.

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National park takes up a huge part of the Osa peninsula and is easily accessed via Drake Bay. This simply amazing and biologically diverse park contains primary rain forest and is ranked in the top 3% of parks worldwide by National Geographic. The park and indeed entire penisula is home to 4 species of monkeys, big cats, tapirs, countless birds and more. The forest and fauna are worth a visit unto themselves. I have never seen so many orchids in my life!
Join a 1 or 2 day tour to one of 2 entry points to the park. A great guide is  must!!!

We will book you in with the areas best operators and guides to ensure you make the most of your visit to this pristine jungle. Reserve EARLY limited entry and they do sell out.

BEST Diving

The diving in and around Drake Bay is the best in country and a highlight overall with any diver.  Home to the wonderfully protected and intensely bio diverse, Cano island that has good, clear conditions year round. This magical place is protected and no one is allowed to go on the island except for rangers and a select few volunteers each year. Uniquely located where 2 ocean streams pass in opposing directions, Cano island is a stop for almost every sea mammal in the world at some point of the year. Incredibly rich in bio diversity in one location.

Fishing – Shore, Kayak or Small Boat

hand fishing costs ricaIf you love fishing, then you would love one of our authentic Costa Rican fishing experiences! Fishing is a way of life here in Drake Bay. Providing food for everyday living and the booming tourist trade. Enjoy some of the action with an array of choices available.

The simplest, and most authentic experience is hand reel fishing from rocky out croppings near the shore or chest deep actually IN the water! We also take people out on kayaks to the best spots to catch snapper from half to full day itineraries. If you don’t want to paddle, we have several boat captains that will share a day with you fishing in the sea.

Equipment & bait included.

Snorkeling Cano Island

Cano island offers the best snorkeling in all of Costa Rica. With unique opposing currents, the island has clear visibility and huge schools of fish as well as turtles, rays, puffer fish . A beautiful boat ride on appx 45 minutes around the point can include dolphins encounters. Two snorkel sessions in pristine waters with a guide and a great lunch are included. We work with only the best operators to guarantee your wonderful experience.

Dusk to Darkness Tour

No visit to Drake is complete without a peak into the flip side and darkness. Nightfall is a special time in the jungle with lots of wildlife movement and change. The birds fly home low on the horizon, the sounds change and the night crew comes alive. The jungle comes alive with a whole new set of inhabitants at dusk! An awesome guide is a must as you enter another world of sleeping birds, singing frogs, insects and if you’re lucky snakes!

Dolphins & Whales Tour

Drake Bay is blessed to be on the migratory path of many of the oceans biggest inhabitants. Drawn by the water gentle waters, many come to raise their young in the food rich waters of the South Pacific. From Orcas to humpback whales, even whale sharks are known to swim by!!

Many different types of dolphins are also in the bay throughout the year included a huge mega pod of resident Spotted dolphins!  Join a boat tour for the best chance to see these amazing creatures in their natural habitats.

Kayaking – Bay or Mangrove

kayaking punta uvaRivers are wildlife hot spots and an active nature lovers playground. This beautiful river on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica was packed with sloths in the trees, tons of fish and I think we saw a cat!  You can rent your own kayak or go with one of the knowledgeable locals that make wildlife spotting easier. A must do to get up close and personal with the jungle!

Horseback Riding

Exploring Drake Bay by horse is an authentic and perfect way to discover off the beaten path destinations. Horses have played an important part of the local culture and means of transportation since the early days. Choose one a many destinations inland to waterfalls, explore the coast or just enjoy an easy ride along the many beaches. For those with a little more daring and experience, swimming with you horse bareback in the warm pacific ocean is also possible!

Private Jungle Reserve Tour

If you are looking for a more personal experience without the crowds or if you have children along, we recommend this private reserve experience! Available as a day tour or overnight, we visit a spectacular reserve right next to the border of Corcovado. This beautiful property is full of waterfalls, rivers and swimming pools to enjoy along with tons of quiet and wildlife rich trails.
Perfect way to see the best of the area without the rigid schedules. Tours include food awesome guide and transportation. Accomodations included in overnight option. Highly recommended!

Fruit Farm & Cooking Experiences

Fresh Fruit Trees

No trip to Costa Rica is complete without an immersion in their food and culture. Foodies unit because there is amazing fresh,delicious food to be had in the Osa. From exotic fruits fresh from the tree, fresh eggs that taste sweet and wonderful, fire cooking to perfection. Did I mention the seafood?

We offer several of the local farm tours, chef tours and our top rated Culinary Immersion with the day spent tasting and enjoying local cooking methods.

Most of these may also be combined with an evening activity for a full day. Get ready to delight your taste buds and reserve a spot.

Transportation, Guide, Fruit farm tour & meal included.

Lazy River Jungle Tour

floating river tour drake bayOne of our most favourite ways to enjoy the jungle is along the river. This experience is simply fun and easy to enjoy. We make our way down to a calm section of river, blow up the adult sized inflatables and slowly float down the river with your guide!! See all kinds of animals, plant life and plentiful birds as you lay back and relax.

There may be sections of river where we need you to stand up and carry the floaty to deeper water. Halfway we stop for a riverside lunch and you can wander or swim. Soon after we get back on the floats to finish the tour. Couldn’t ask for better..and no neck strain as you have a cushion.

Must be able to walk up and down a long flight of stairs to access the river.

Sunset Experience & Floatie Rentals

floatie rental drake bayPeople don’t know what they’re missing until they’ve actually experienced anchor floating on a warm ocean. A drink in hand and not a care in the world.  Reserve your Sunset experience which includes use of adult floaties, drinks and appetizers. Have some downtime between tours? Rent a floatie by the hour!

Choose from a variety of different sizes and shapes available on Secret Beach. All come pre inflated and achor points are available if needed. A perfect picture opportunity and time to relax enjoying beach perfection.

Instagram Experiences

Immortalize your visit and make your friends jealous with a professional mini photo session on the beach! Perfect for solo travelers.

Different themes are available and included use of all applicable props. High quality edited images are shared via email a few days later.

If you visit the Southern Pacific of Costa Rica at any time of year you will be delighted at the sheer numbers of dolphins and whales in the area. Our resident spotted dolphins are in the thousands and remain close by year round. Bottle nose, Rissos , turtles, Rays, marlin and more can be spotted as well as huge fish balls, The ocean life here  is vibrant and worth a day at sea at the very least.

If you visit the Southern Pacific of Costa Rica during the months of  July to mid November and from mid December to April, you are in for a real treat!  Pacific humpback whales amongst others are known to frequent the area and you might even be able to spot them from the shore. Make sure to also visit the iconic “whales tail” beach. So cool!

Massage & Spa Services

Getting a bit of pampering in the jungle isn’t always an easy thing.

Enjoy a relaxing massage in an outdoor covered jungle space on an afternoon when you are not on adventure. Basic pedicure and manicure services. Wonderful and tranquil moments in the shade.

There are a large amount of unique and memorable experiences to be had around our gorgeous bay.

Whether you are interested in learning to cook the local cuisine, sample & identify in season fruit, yoga, gold panning, animal identification, farm practices and so much more. Send me your requests and we will be our best to source authentic and awesome experience providers!

Stand up Paddling – Sunrise Tour, Rentals & Lessons

SUP has taken the world by storm and is a perfect way to experience the beauty of Drake Bay!

For experienced paddlers we offer hourly rentals and a sunrise experience. Some of our mangrove tours also feature SUP. Life is better on the water and that’s especially true for sunrise and sunset

Newbies must take the opportunity for a lesson that goes through everything you need to get started…and standing on paddleboards. With over a decade of teaching in Ontario, our instructor will make you feel at ease.

Custom packages and curated all inclusive trips featuring SUP may also be available.

Workshops & Classes

Cooking Tico StyleThere are a large amount of unique and memorable experiences to be had around our gorgeous bay.

Whether you are interested in learning to cook the local cuisine, sample & identify in season fruit, yoga, gold panning, animal identification, farm practices and so much more. Send me your requests and we will be our best to source authentic and awesome experience providers!

Experiences close to Drake Bay

This little peninsula is packed with amazing experiences. These are some of my must dos easily accessible from Drake.

Panning for Gold – Dos Brazos

gold panning costa ricaI stood at the bottom of a tough hiking path that intersected a river trying to come up with a plan B for my day. Not 2 minutes later, this older Costa Rican happens by with some weird tools /packages on his back. We chat and I get invited to follow him up the river for the morning! Adventure sandals up, we hike up the river and over banks about 2 kilometers before I got to check out his house. Then another kimlometer or so to the actual site where we panned for gold. Alot of hard work but very cool. We actually found just under 1 gram between the 2 of us which is huge! these days.

Want to feel the gold rush too? You can book the adventure on site at the park office, or let me know and I can help connect you.

PRIVATE TRANSPORT OPTIONS:

If you have driven in Central American countries before, renting a car in San Jose and making the drive down to Drake Bay is now possible! The 5 rivers that hindered the path through the mountain range to the coast have been bridged as of 2022 making it easier for more people to access this region with their own 4x 4’s. Be prepared to start early and spend the entire day. The other option is to drive to Sierpe, park the car in a secure lot and take the boat over for your visit. Pick it up and resume your exploration afterwards!

BUS OPTIONS: 

There is a public bus that runs from downtown San Jose all the way to Palma. It leaves once a day and take 5-6 hours in total. Take a connecting bus to Sierpe for the boat or catch the once a day DRAKE DAY bus to get to the coastal village.

SHARED RIDE OPTIONS: 

There are shared shuttle services between San Jose and Sierpe. You can also head down the coast from Jaco. A good value with 4-6 people usually sharing an air conditioned van. Collectivos are also an option. These are locals that drive a route regularily and stop to pick up people on the way. It isn’t technically legal but a cost effective way to get around if you can get hooked up with the right contacts. Ask your accommodation provider for current options in the area.

FLIGHTS OPTIONS:

Inter country hopper flights are a fabulous and scenic option for those looking to save time while also enjoying the magnificent views of the low flying flights. Sansa is now the main operator of most short flights within Costa Rica. You can land direct in Drake Bay,.

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10 Reasons to fall in Love with the Osa Peninsula

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3. Rugged, Beautiful & Empty Beaches I'm not sure any place could make my favourite list without spectacular beaches! Costa Rica is blessed with two coasts of magical beaches..but not all are swim able or calm. Daily swimming…

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