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Drake Bay

ABOUT DRAKE BAY

Drake Bay remains to be a wildly remote village bordered by a lush jungle and Corcovado National Park. While the rest of Costa Rica becomes built up, Drake continues to remain isolated, and because of this the area offers the best of birdwatching and wildlife viewing in Costa Rica.

Drake Bay, or as the Tico’s call it, Bahía Drake, is a remote village on the north side of the Osa Peninsula. The local small town of Agujitas remains to be one of the more difficult destinations to access on the coast of southwestern Costa Rica. This makes it all the more wild and desired by bird and nature enthusiasts from around the world. To give you an idea just how genuinely isolated Drake Bay has been, the area did not get connected to an electric grid until 2004. Most locals and lodges lived and served without any power until then. Internet services became available in 2010, with most lodges and restaurants offering the service.

The area was said to be discovered by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century, however we know local pre-columbian and indigenous groups resided here for centuries before his arrival.

AROUND DRAKE BAY

The village of Drake consists of 10 districts, those of which include the area of Progreso, Agujitas, Los Angeles, Tamandua, Los Planes, Caletas, and Rincon. The main area, Agujitas, acts as the gateway to Drake Bay and Corcovado. In the village of Agujitas you can find your local mercados, a few restaurants, and some tour agencies. You can also find inexpensive and mid-range lodging. On more of the ouskirts of town along the coast you will find the more secluded high end eco-lodges.

Most guests are fascinated to know they don’t have to go far from the town center to see some really incredible wildlife, including our beloved Scarlet Macaws, sloths, a wide variety of bird species, including our prized endemics, anteaters, and so much more. Just offshore of Drake Bay, our guests are thrilled by our teaming oceans, with huge pods of dolphin of several species, migratory humpback whales, sea turtles and sea snakes.

 

GETTING TO DRAKE BAY

By Boat

The water transfer from Sierpe is the most efficient way to get to Drake Bay. The boat leaves from the dock next to La Perla del Sur Hotel every day at 1130a.m and then 4p.m in the afternoon and is 1 hour long. There is also a boat every day from Drake Bay to Sierpe at 7a:15a.m and then 2:30pm.

Morning boat $15 p.p

Evening boat $20 p.p

Driving

The roads of the Osa Peninsula are made for 4WD vehicles only. If you come by car, we don’t recommend to drive with anything other than a 4×4 vehicle due to the constantly changing road conditions and river crossings.

By Plane

This is the fastest way to get to Drake Bay from San Jose. There are three Airlines that offer the service:

Aero Bell Airlines www.aerobell.com

Sansa Air www.flysansa.com

Sky Way  www.skywaycr.com

We can gladly arrange flight and car rental services when you book our tour packages.

By Bus

Travel to Sierpe de Osa direct by taking a single bus from T.R.A.C.O.P.A  in San Jose, the company offers a bus route that departures every day at 8:30 am, takes 6hrs arriving to Sierpe by 2p.m depending on traffic.

Once there you take the water transfer boat in the dock next to La Perla del Sur Hotel.

Choose from some of our best tours!

Popular Drake Bay Tours

rural tourism osa peninsula

Cacao Tour

Take a tour of an organic farm and discover many fascinating plants, like the Cacao Plant. A popular rural tourism Osa Peninsula adventure. Learn more!
$35
cano island snorkeling

Caño Island

Caño Island is a top attraction in the area for travelers, and  less than hour boat ride from the shores of Drake Bay. As a protected biological reserve, Caño is part of the Osa Conservation Area.
$95
drake bay dolphin tour

Drake Bay Dolphin Tour

Our Drake Bay Dolphin tour is designed for the marine mammal enthusiasts. Our expert team help create a memorable experience with family and friends in the picturesque setting of the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay.
$120
los planes drake bay tour

Los Planes Hiking Tour

An amazing birdwatching adventure is waiting for you in the beautiful community of Los Planes. Don't miss out on the favorite Los Planes Drake Bay tour.
$125

Mangrove Birding Tour

The mangrove birdwatching tour is the most comfortable opportunity for novice and experienced birders to explore one of the Osa's top wildlife and birding hotspots. The mangrove forests in Costa Rica are rich in biodiversity.
$120

Morning Bird Walk

The early bird  walk starts 5:30 a.m and extends for about 3 hours of walking and easy hiking around private gardens, forest edges, riversides, new and old growth forest, open areas and shorelines. Your expert birding guides are well familiarized with the local birdlife.
$60
night tour

Night Walk

Come enjoy the side of the rainforest you don't see in the day light hours. Our night walk tour is a popular option. Learn a wealth of ecology information and see tons of wildlife!
$50
costa rica birdwatching

Osa Endemics Package

We invite you to enjoy the bountiful Osa Endemics on this exciting travel package! Come see the best of Costa Rica Birdwatching! Walter's deep rooted enthusiasm and expertise for birdwatching makes for an exciting 5 day, 4 night journey in a biological paradise. Welcome to the Osa Peninsula.
$920
osa peninsula tours

Osa Marine Dreamland

Join us on our Osa Marine Dreamland package that has the ocean and marine mammal lovers in mind. Our top-rated Osa Peninsula tours based in Drake Bay.
$1050

Pelagic Birdwatching

The birdlife offshore here includes species such as Nazca and Masked Booby, Red footed Booby, and Red-billed Tropicbird. Some other frequently seen species are Galapagos Shearwater, Wedge-rumped-Wilson’s Storm-Petrel, and Brown Noody.
$250

San Pedrillo Explore

San Pedrillo Ranger Station is surrounded by primary rainforest with an excellent network of trails. San Pedrillo is the closest ranger station in Corcovado National Park from Drake Bay. Visit for your chance to view rare lifers!
$100
king vulture square

Sirena Station Bird Walk

Sirena Biological Station is the most remote of the six ranger stations found within Corcovado National Park. The most iconic species you could see with a bit of luck are white hawk, barred forest-falcon, marbled wood-quail or the remarkable red-throated caracara.
$125

Sunset Bird Walk

The evening birdwatching hike is around 2.5 hours. The level of intensity is dependent on our guests. The exact starting and ending location will be dependent on factors such as clients hotel, clients hiking level, and target species. All of our hikes are customized per group level.
$55
costa rica waterfall

Waterfall Adventure

There are two different waterfalls on the property to seek out and explore. Go for a hike up or down stream, a great adventure for the whole family. Be sure to dive into one of the many swimming holes for a refreshing dip.
$95

Whale and Rainforest Escape

This seasonal package is designed specifically for those who are drawn to Osa for both terrestrial and marine reasons. The months of July to October are prime months for whale watching, specifically the humpback whales who migrate long distances to the bay.
$940
whale watching costa rica

Whale Watching Tour

Our Whale Watching Costa Rica tour is designed for the marine mammal enthusiasts. Our expert team help create a memorable experience with family and friends in the picturesque setting of the Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay.
$120

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