Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula
Drake Bay is a beautiful bay on the Osa Peninsula and an ideal gateway to the Corcovado National Park.
Adventure
Honeymoon
Remote
Snapper
Romance
Sustainable
Deep Sea
Unique
Sailfish
Teen-friendly
Yellowfin Tuna
Nature & Wildlife
Wahoo
FADS
Inshore Fishing
Rooster
Blue Marlin
Mahi Mahi
Extreme
Rainforest
Boutique
Hiking
Diving
Why Visit Drake Bay?
Drake Bay - Bahia Drake in Spanish - is a small community on a bay of the same name on the northern coast of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. The area is home to several eco-resorts and hotels due to its proximity to the famous Corcovado National Park, the jewel of Costa Rica's national park system. It's a perfect destination for nature lovers seeking a remote, rainforest experience. Highlights of the Drake Bay area include the following:
- Corcovado National Park: Costa Rica's most extensive and arguably most pristine national park is 30 minutes south of Drake Bay. It's the main reason people visit this area.
- Caño Island: This island is visible offshore from most points around Drake Bay. It's one of Costa Rica's scuba diving and snorkeling areas.
Where to Stay
A series of eco-lodges are dotting the landscape here, there's someting to suit everyone's budget.
Things to Do
Drake Bay provides a range of family-friendly activities. From hiking to snorkeling or diving, there are plenty of activities to choose from.
Drake Bay: A Nature Lover’s Paradise
Drake Bay is located in the northern part of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. This is the most remote region of the country, way down in Costa Rica's deep south, and challenging to get to - but worth it for those who make an effort. The area was named after English explorer/pirate Sir Francis Drake, who allegedly used the bay as a base for raiding Spanish ships for a while after finding it during his 1577-1580 circumnavigation of the world.
Pristine Rainforests Brimming With Wildlife
Nowadays, Drake Bay has a more peaceful reputation as a haven for nature lovers and eco-tourists who come for the pristine rainforests, access to the nearby Corcovado National Park, and some of the most beautiful beaches you'll find in Costa Rica.
There are no resorts here - it's all about eco-lodges; the more boutique, the better. Tourism in Drake Bay remains in tune with the one-time National Geographic description of the area as one of the most biodiverse parts of the planet. The hotels and the tourists who stay in them reflect this environmentally-friendly way of being.
Different Kind of Night Life
Drake Bay is a tiny community with not much going on. Most hotels here are remote and accessible only by boat, so if you're staying in Drake Bay, you'll most likely be eating where you sleep. This isn't an area for bustling nightlife in any way whatsoever.
With its tropical climate and outstanding flora and fauna, Drake Bay is ideal for those who love to explore an untouched jungle. However, very few experiences surpass the joy of walking through the trails of a majestic rainforest. The sounds, the smells, and the sights are unique.
Drake Bay is one of these vacation-of-a-lifetime destinations for an unforgettable experience in beautiful Costa Rica.
Best Time to Travel to Drake Bay
The best time to visit Drake Bay is during the January to April dry season, when the weather is reliably sunny and there is little rainfall. Showers are expected during the green season (May-August), but you will get the best value for your money as the eco-lodges drop their rates significantly. Avoid September and October as most of the lodgings are closed in these months due to the rain.
The Weather in Drake Bay
Hot, sultry, and humid, the weather in Drake Bay reflects the lowland tropical rainforest surrounding it. The deep south of Costa Rica can get rain all year - but it seems way less during the short dry January-April dry season. Most of this time is dry and sunny, though still humid.
May-August sees daily rainfall, intensifying during September and October, when many places close, including many trails in the Corcovado Park. In November and December, the rains ease off before the dry season kicks in again.
Is Drake Bay safe?
Drake Bay is a small, remote community where everyone knows each other. As such, there is little to no crime, although like everywhere else in Costa Rica, we'd recommend keeping your valuables locked up safe in your hotel.
The main dangers here are the ocean - watching for rip currents on some beaches - and insects. Nothing that decent bug spray won't handle!
There was once the danger of getting lost in the remote rainforests of the nearby Corcovado National Park, but nowadays you can't enter without a guide, so that's abated somewhat. Still, though, be careful not to leave the trails when hiking or exploring the rainforests around Drake Bay.
How to get to Drake Bay
Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport to Drake Bay.
Distance & Driving Time to Drake Bay
From SJO Airport: 230 miles (370 kilometers), about 8 hours
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. We'll meet you and take you to your waiting driver when you arrive at the airport.
But the best way to get to Drake Bay isn't by land, whether you're in one of our transfers or driving yourself. It's too far away, and, especially during the rainy season, it's inaccessible by car. You need to fly.
Luckily this is an easy thing to arrange, and it takes around an hour from San Jose to fly to the tiny jungle airstrip in Drake Bay. Once you arrive, your hotel will pick you up and take you to the beach in the village for your boat to your hotel.
Another option for getting to Drake Bay is to fly to Palmar Sur. From there, you can take a longer boat ride along the Rio Sierpe and down the coast to your hotel.