In this post, we’ll share a complete travel guide to Drake Bay Costa Rica. A remote and wild town on the Osa Peninsula, with untouched jungle, a mind-boggling amount of wildlife and gorgeous, empty beaches. We’ll cover how to get there, how to get around and where to eat, stay and play.
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About Drake Bay Costa Rica
When most people think of Costa Rica, images of deep green rainforests, monkeys swinging from vines and golden, palm-lined beaches come to mind. They wouldn’t be wrong.
But as Costa Rica’s tourism industry has grown exponentially over the past few decades, it has lost some of its ‘wild’. Whilst this environmentally focused nation has done a commendable job of protecting its forests and coastline, the hundreds of thousands of western visitors it receives each year have left their mark.
Many visitors are content with never knowing the real, rugged version of Costa Rica. Us? Not so much.
Enter – Drake Bay.
Bahia Drake in Spanish, this remote town, bordered by nature on all sides, was everything we dreamed Costa Rica to be. After an hour-long drive on a bumpy dirt road winding through the forest, our first impression of Drake Bay was finding a crocodile hanging out in the car park of the restaurant we were visiting for lunch. I told you it was wild!
It is a true jungle wonderland, that is raw and real and rugged. There is no staged adventure, no high-rise resorts, no beach clubs. Drake Bay has remained blissfully untouched by the mass tourism development found in other Costa Rican beach towns, and its hard-to-reach location means only dedicated adventure seekers and wildlife fanatics make their way this far south.
So if you’re looking for a real adventure in Costa Rica, authentically immersed in and connected to nature, Drake Bay is for you.
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Drake Bay Costa Rica quick facts
- 🛥️ How to get there – by air from San Jose, by boat from Sierpe, by car (yes, you can drive) or by bus from La Palma, another town on the Osa Peninsula. Read our full transport guide here.
- 🛏️ How long to stay – considering the difficult journey to reach Drake Bay Costa Rica, any less than 3 nights isn’t worth it. We would suggest 4 nights if you’re planning to visit Corcovado for a day trip, make it 5 if you opt for the overnight stay inside the park.
- 🗓️ Best time to visit – is during the dry season, which is typically November – April.
Where is Drake Bay Costa Rica
Drake Bay Costa Rica is situated on the remote and less-travelled Osa Peninsula. This big finger-like tract of land juts out into the Pacific Ocean in the southwestern corner of Costa Rica.
A raw and wild place, the Osa Peninsula is a remote region, with just a handful of small communities interspersed between rich rainforest and mangroves.
Over a third of the peninsula falls under the protection of the Corcovado National Park, the country’s largest national park, and the world’s most biologically intense area.
Drake Bay sits on the western, Pacific side of the peninsula. However the area is well protected from the wild ocean inside a sheltered bay – hence the name.
‘Drake Bay’ technically refers to the entire bay and surrounding areas. But the main village is actually called Agujitas, or Agujitas de Drake.
The town of Agujitas centres around Playa Colorado, a wide sandy beach where boats deposit tourists from Sierpe and collect them for day trips to Corcovado and beyond. A handful of tour companies, accommodations and restaurants spread backwards from here, up into the hills. Remote eco-lodges are scattered further along the coast, as well as deep into the jungle behind the town.
How to get to Drake Bay Costa Rica
Getting to Drake Bay Costa Rica is half the fun, and the area has remained so special and untouched because it is difficult to reach. No matter how you arrive, I promise it will be worth it!
There are a lot of different options, and which you choose depends on where you’re coming from, how you’re travelling around Costa Rica, if you have a rental car and what type of car it is, and if it’s wet or dry season.
Complicated, right?
To give a brief answer, the main ways to get to Drake Bay Costa Rica are:
- ✈️ By plane from San Jose
- 🚤 By boat from Sierpe
- 🚙 By car
- 🚌 By bus from La Palma
Rather than making this post huge and indecipherable, I wrote a separate post that details all the different methods. Check that out here.
👉🏼 How to get to Drake Bay – a complete guide with air, bus, shuttle and car options
Getting around Drake Bay Costa Rica
Once you arrive in Drake Bay Costa Rica, most of the activities you do will either be on foot, or by boat.
If you’re staying in the centre of town, you will be able to walk to most restaurants, supermarkets and the main beach, Playa Colorado, where most tours depart from.
If you have a car and you’ve driven to town, you can of course drive around. But it’s not necessary unless you’re staying somewhere on the outskirts of town. However, if you’ve got a 4×4, you will be able to do some exploring around the area and drive to Playa Rincon.
If you’re staying somewhere remote, your accommodation will generally coordinate tours and pick-ups when required.
Where to stay in Drake Bay Costa Rica
Despite its remote location, there are some amazing accommodation options in and around Drake Bay Costa Rica. No matter your budget, it’s not hard to find somewhere lovely to stay. But you do have a bit of choice on the location, and it can be confusing to work out where is the best fit for your travel plans and style.
You can choose to stay in the village of Agujitas, in a somewhat ‘standard’ accommodation, with easy access to food, tours and amenities. The convenient option.
But the beauty of Drake Bay is the variety of remote, eco-lodges that allow you to immerse yourself in the pristine nature the area is known for. If you’re coming all the way here, I think opting for a nature-based stay will give you the complete experience.
You can stay in the heart of the jungle, spotting wildlife from your room. Or on a remote beach, accessible only by boat or walking. But it can be a toss-up, as these isolated lodges often sacrifice convenience and accessibility.
We’ll run through the pros and cons of each option, and suggest some of the best-rated options for all budgets.
Staying in Agujitas Village
Staying in the centre of town offers the most convenience. You will be within walking distance of restaurants and the main beach, Playa Colorado, where most of the tours depart from, as well as the Sierpe boat. There are accommodations for all styles and budgets here, but most options feel more ‘standard’ and aren’t necessarily designed to be an immersive nature experience.
Pros of staying in Agujitas Village
- Easy access to restaurants and supermarkets in town
- Can walk to the departure point for most tours, avoiding extra fees for pick-ups
- Can drive here if you have a car
- Easy access if you’re taking the boat from Sierpe
Cons of staying in Agujitas Village
- Don’t get the immersive jungle / remote beach experience
- Won’t see much wildlife at your accommodation
- The main beach is not that nice for swimming or relaxing
Recommendation: whether you have a car or not, stay here if you want to experience Drake Bay town and have full convenience for all food and tours
- Martina’s Place – if you’re looking for something cheap, centrally located and clean, Martina’s Place is your best option. Walking distance to everything in town, they have dorms and privates (some with ensuites), a communal kitchen and plenty of nice hang-out spaces.
- 💰 – $15 USD + per night check prices here
- Pacheco Tours Beach Cabins – this is where we stayed in Drake Bay and we can highly recommend it! The cabins are right in the centre of town, and they are spacious, clean and comfortable. The best part is the private balcony with a hammock overlooking the bay! Amazing value for the price.
- 💰 – $50 USD + per night check prices here
- Hotel Jacamar – situated right in the heart of town, you have everything on your doorstep but still feel surrounded by nature. Rooms are clean and contemporary, and all have private balconies with beautiful jungle views. A very solid and well-rated mid-range option.
- 💰💰 $80 USD + per night check prices here
- Sunset Lodge – a very highly rated option, sitting on a hill above town overlooking the bay. Rooms are basic but comfortable wooden cabins, but the balcony with views over the water takes them up a notch! If you want to splurge, there are a couple of premium rooms with private pools up on the hill.
- 💰💰 – $70 USD + per night check prices here
- Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge – this option just sneaks into the ‘town’ location. It is very near the start of the Drake Bay Hiking Trail, so technically it’s more of a beach accommodation, but it’s no more than 15 minutes walk to the heart of town. A great choice if you want the best of both worlds. It feels like a typical eco-lodge, created around the jungle with wooden cabañas and beautiful rainforest and ocean views.
- 💰💰💰 – $400 USD + (full board) per night check prices here
- Drake Bay Getaway Resort – a luxurious, high-end option that gives you the best of both worlds – seclusion with access. Just a few minutes walk from town, this gem offers incredible jungle and ocean views from modern, airy and considered rooms with beautifully manicured grounds. All meals are included and guests rave about the quality of the food.
- 💰💰💰 – $995 USD + (full board) per night check prices here
Staying on a remote beach
If you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-track experience in Drake Bay with a side of the beach, there are accommodations scattered along the coastline outside of town. Most are accessible via the Drake Bay Hiking Trail, or by boat.
Pros of staying on a remote beach
- Stay right on a beautiful beach that is more suited to swimming and chilling
- Have one of the best activities on your doorstep, the Drake Bay Hiking Trail
- Be more immersed in the jungle and see lots of wildlife from your room
- Stay in a unique and nature-based accommodation
- Most tours can pick you up via boat, or accommodations offer their own tours
Cons of staying on a remote beach
- A long walk or expensive boat ride into town
- Trapped into eating most meals at your accommodation
- Can’t drive your car there (except for 4×4 access to Playa Rincon)
- Some land-based tours won’t accept reservations or offer pick-ups
Recommendation: if you want a nature experience and you’re happy to sacrifice food and restaurant variety, go for a beach option! Especially if you don’t have a car
- Corcovado Jungle Hostel aka Corcovado Adventures – if you want a beachfront, jungle vibe without the price tag, this is your best bet! Situated near Playa Las Caletas around halfway along the Drake Bay Trail, Corcovado Adventures offers dorms and tents in the heart of the rainforest. They also have a communal kitchen if you want to keep the costs down.
- 💰 – $12 USD + per night check prices here
- Life for Life Hostel – situated on the wild and beautiful Playa Rincon, the very last beach on the trail, this hostel also operates a turtle conservation project. The vibe is really special, immersed in nature, it is the perfect place to unwind and get away from it all. They have rooms, dorms or private tents. Their on-site restaurant serves good and affordable food and some rates include full board. Otherwise, there is a kitchen on-site you can use for a small fee.
- 💰 – $20 USD + per night check prices here
- Poor Man’s Paradise – also located on Playa Rincon, this rustic, eco-friendly option gets rave reviews. Rooms are basic, but private and very comfortable and completely surrounded by nature. You’ve got a gorgeous beach on your doorstep and three meals a day are included.
- 💰💰 – $150 USD + (full board) per night check prices here
- Las Caletas Lodge – situated closer to Drake Bay on Playa Las Caletas, this lodge offers a mix of room styles, from standard rooms to upscale tents with a unique blend of indoor/outdoor living in a stunning location. Breakfast and lunch are included daily and you’ll enjoy frequent visits from many birds and wildlife.
- 💰💰 – $160 USD + (half board) per night check prices here
- The Jaguars Jungle Lodge – it doesn’t get much closer to Corcovado National Park than this seriously remote lodge, with access exclusively via boat. Jaguars Jungle Lodge is entirely powered by renewable energy and there is a genuine commitment to low-impact operations. Developed in harmony with the rainforest, there is an abundance of wildlife around the property. Rooms are light, bright and modern, and you’ve got a virtually private beach on your doorstep!
- 💰💰💰 – $250 USD + (full board) per night check prices here
Top tip – Jaguars Jungle Lodge offers a 10-bed dorm room. So even if you’re on a budget you can still enjoy this luxurious eco-lodge! For a dorm bed with full board, expect to pay around $80 USD per night.
- Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort – of all the beach accommodations, none are more luxurious than Copa de Arbol. Offering a number of free-standing wooden cabins with palm-thatched roofs, all feature balconies with stunning views and natural décor. They have a gorgeous tiered infinity pool and include three meals per day.
- 💰💰💰 – $650 USD + (full board) per night check prices here
Staying outside of town in the jungle
There are a handful of remote accommodations scattered on the outskirts of town and into the forest, that aren’t near the beach. The reality of how ‘jungly’ it is depends on the accommodation, but these options all offer a more remote experience than staying in the heart of town.
Pros of staying in the jungle
- Road access to these accommodations (some 4×4 only)
- More immersive nature experience, peaceful and tranquil
- Higher chance of spotting wildlife and birds around your accommodations
Cons of staying in the jungle
- Some accommodations are only accessible by 4×4, no boat option either
- Trapped into eating most meals at your accommodation if you don’t have a car
- Depending on your location, some tours will charge extra fees for pick up or won’t offer the service at all
Recommendation: only stay in these locations if you are coming to Drake Bay by car
- Corcovado Foundation BioHostel – a highly rated option with everything you would expect from a good hostel – dorms, private rooms, a communal kitchen, free breakfast, hammocks and a yoga deck. They offer free pick-up from the boat or airport, and a 30-minute walk will get you to a quiet beach.
- 💰 – $15 USD + per night check prices here
- Pacheco Tours Rainforest Cabins – sister property to the option in town, if you’ve got a car and want to have a few days off-grid, this is a great affordable option. These self-contained, solar-powered cabins have everything you need for a few days in the jungle. Come stocked with ingredients to cook.
- 💰💰 – $60 USD + per night check prices here
- Drake Bay Greenleaf – tucked away into the forest in the hills above town, this stunning property offers bright and airy modern bungalows. But the real selling point is the balconies with expansive jungle and ocean vistas. All meals are included and guests rave (9.9/10!) about the food and lovely staff.
- 💰💰💰 – $650 USD + (full board) per night check prices here
CAMPING IN DRAKE BAY 🏕️
If you’re camping in Costa Rica (with a Nomad America 4×4 or otherwise), Drake Bay has a few different places to park up for the night!
- Paid campground – Ganadito Camping
- Paid campground – Mohagine Camping
- Wild beach camping – Playa Rincon
- Wild beach camping – Pirate Cove
Top 5 things to do in Drake Bay Costa Rica
There are so many wonderful things to do in Drake Bay Costa Rica. With its gorgeous rainforest, underwater treasures offshore and the best wildlife viewing opportunities in all of Costa Rica, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures.
Because many of the best things to do in Drake Bay require expert guides and boats to access, you are bound to do a lot of tours, rather than self-guided activities. I’ve written a full guide to the 10 best Drake Bay tours, rounding up the top-rated experiences.
1. Visit Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park is the number one reason most visitors come to Drake Bay. Labelled by National Geographic as ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’, there is nowhere else in Costa Rica with such an abundance of wildlife.
The park is home to all four species of monkey found in Costa Rica – howler, spider, squirrel and white-faced capuchin – and it’s not unusual to see all of them! It’s the best place in the country to see the rare Baird’s tapir, and other sought-after wildlife like sloths, anteaters and coatis.
Access to the park is strictly with a certified guide, so booking a tour is the only way to visit. Drake Bay is the best jump-off point for tours to the Sirena Ranger Station, one of 5 stations inside the park, but widely considered the best for wildlife spotting.
Day tours leave from the main beach in town at 6 am each day, returning at approximately 2 pm. An expert guide with a telescope and superhuman wildlife-spotting abilities will lead you on trails around the park for 4 – 5 hours.
There is the option to stay overnight at the Sirena Ranger Station, giving you an additional 7+ hours hiking the trails and looking for wildlife. Our overnight experience at Corcovado is one of the greatest travel experiences we have ever had, and easily the highlight of our 5 weeks in Costa Rica. Read all about it here.
Planning a trip to Corcovado National Park can be seriously confusing. Different ranger stations, multiple access points, permits – I was completely overwhelmed before we visited. So I wrote a comprehensive guide about how to visit the park, so you can be sure you’re planning the best possible experience, and maximise your chances of seeing as much wildlife as you can! Check it out here.
2. Go snorkelling or diving at Caño Island Biological Reserve
Celebrated as one of the best places to go snorkelling and scuba diving in Costa Rica, the Caño Island Biological Reserve is a protected marine reserve just 45 minutes off the coast of Drake Bay.
With crystal clear waters, thriving coral reef systems, and an abundance of marine life like turtles, rays, sharks and countless colourful fish, getting underwater at Caño Island is one of the best things to do in Drake Bay Costa Rica.
There are both snorkel and dive tours, departing from Drake Bay at around 7 am and returning for lunch at around 2 pm.
3. Hike the Drake Bay Trail
One of the only FREE things to do in Drake Bay Costa Rica, the Drake Bay Trail is a gorgeous hike through lush rainforest and golden beaches.
Leaving from the centre of town, the 10 km / 6 mi (one way) trail leads to Playa San Josecito, one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. It winds over hanging bridges, through the forest and past countless empty beaches and coves. It’s a truly beautiful walk with absolutely stunning views and you can see a lot of wildlife too. Macaws and toucans fly overhead, monkeys play in the trees and lizards bask in the sun.
Doing the return trail is a big undertaking, but it’s possible to organise boat transport one way. This was one of our favourite things to do in Drake Bay Costa Rica, and we wrote a full guide to the trail here.
4. Take a night walk to see the jungle after dark
Whilst there are night walks on offer all over Costa Rica, we would highly recommend saving it for Drake Bay! Given the intense biodiversity of the area, you’re likely to see a lot more.
Experiencing the jungle during the day is one thing. But when night falls, it feels like a completely different place! All kinds of creepy crawlies and nocturnal critters come out and about to play. Bats, frogs, spiders, snakes and nocturnal mammals like sloths and kinkajous are just some of what you can expect to see.
There are a couple of different night tours to choose from, but we would highly recommend Tracie the Bug Lady, a qualified biologist and insect expert!
5. Enjoy empty and untouched beaches
I don’t think there is anywhere else in Costa Rica with beaches as pristine and empty as Drake Bay. No resorts, no beach clubs, no mass tourism – just gorgeous, golden sand beaches lined with palm trees, all to yourself! So even though there are a ton of great Drake Bay tours and activities, allocating a day to beach lazing is a must-do!
The main beach in Agujitas town, Playa Colorado, isn’t the nicest beach to swim and relax on due to the heavy boat traffic. But there are countless other options to choose from! The Drake Bay Hiking Trail provides access to all these distant beaches on foot. You can also organise boat transport to some of the further ones.
- Playa Cocalito – less than an hour’s walk from town, Cocalitos is the first beach on the trail. It can get ‘busy’ because of this, but honestly, busy here isn’t anything to worry about.
- Playa Las Caletas – further along the trail, a long stretch of coast falls under ‘Las Caletas’. Made up of a few different coves, you can find a patch of sand that suits you.
- Playa San Josecito – the most popular beach in Drake Bay, this small, sheltered bay has calm, blue waters and golden sand with plenty of trees for shade. It can get busy when the tour boats arrive for lunch. It’s at least 3 + hours walking from town.
- Playa Rincon – just a little further through the jungle at the very end of the trail is this expansive, wild beach. Palms as far as the eye can see on a huge stretch of sand, Playa Rincon feels raw and remote. You can drive here with a 4×4.
Drake Bay restaurants
Drake Bay Costa Rica isn’t winning too many awards for its culinary endeavours. But there are a number of simple local sodas that will fill the hole and keep you fuelled up on all your outdoor adventures! And if I had the choice between incredible food, and seeing macaws, toucans and crocodiles while I dine – I know what I’d choose!
- Las Delicias – this was our favourite soda in town, with the best and most affordable casados for 4,000 Colones. The fried rice was good, and the bistec (steak) and chuleta (pork chop) casados were well-cooked with all the trimmings.
- Kalaluna Bistro – the place to eat in Drake Bay. This lovely bistro has gorgeous views over the bay and serves up unique and top-quality dishes, with tasty cocktails and juices. The price matches and is a little expensive, but it gets rave reviews.
- Casa El Tortugo – this is a slightly more elevated soda, with a wider range of international options. They have lots of seafood dishes, pasta, as well as typical Costa Rican food. The restaurant overlooks an estuary and we saw a crocodile sitting right out the front on the bank!
- Fast Food Truck Gaby’s – if you’re looking for an early breakfast on the beach before setting off on a tour, Gaby’s is open from around 6 am. They have golden and crispy empanadas, sandwiches, coffee and smoothies.
- Marea Alta – hidden just outside of town up the hill, we actually missed this spot and were disappointed to find it as we were leaving. The setting is gorgeous, nestled right into the rainforest. The food is the same kind of offerings (seafood, casados, rice etc.) but the prices and quality are good.
Tips for visiting Drake Bay Costa Rica
- 💰 There are no banks or ATMS – come stocked with cash. Palmar Norte is your last chance to withdraw money. Colones and USD are widely accepted. Some businesses accept credit cards, but often with a hefty fee. Consider in advance how you’re going to pay for your big tour payments, and book and pay for as many things online as possible.
- 🛒 Supermarkets are limited and expensive – there are only two supermarkets in town, and while their choice is better than I expected, the prices are very inflated. If you’re on a budget and planning to cook, I would recommend coming with a few staples if you’ve got the ability to carry them.
- 💧 You can’t drink the water – while tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica, it’s not in Drake Bay. You can buy water from the supermarket, but it is quite expensive. Again, if you’ve got the means (e.g. a car), buy a large water bottle before you arrive, or check if your accommodation offers purified water.
- ⛽️ There is no petrol station – if you’re driving to Drake Bay, there is no petrol station in town. We filled up here in Chacarita at the turnoff onto Route 245 and there isn’t another one after that.
Drake Bay Costa Rica is a true off-the-beaten-path destination. If you’re a wildlife fanatic, nature enthusiast or adventure seeker, you need to have Drake Bay on your Costa Rica itinerary. I hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to this wild place. May it be filled with monkeys, macaws and magic moments in the jungle!
Our other Osa Peninsula travel guides
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