Bahia Drake
Costa Rica · Provincia de Puntarenas
Tucked between rainforest and Pacific on Costa Rica's remote Osa Peninsula, Bahia Drake is wild, untouched adventure at its purest. Home to scarlet macaws, monkeys, dolphins, and humpback whales, it's the daily gateway to Corcovado National Park and Cano Island, two of the planet's richest biodiversity hotspots.
Overview
Costa Rica's most remote and biodiverse coastline — the gateway to Corcovado.
Drake Bay sits on the wild northwest tip of the Osa Peninsula, reached only by boat from Sierpe or a slow dirt road from Rincón. There are no paved streets and few hotels: the draw is what's around it. Corcovado National Park covers a third of the Osa and shelters jaguars, scarlet macaws, all four monkey species, and Baird's tapirs.
- Corcovado day hikes — San Pedrillo or Sirena ranger station, certified guides only
- Caño Island — snorkel and dive a marine reserve with bull sharks and turtles
- Whale watching — humpback migration peaks July–October
- Night walks — frogs, snakes, and kinkajous on rainforest trails
- Sierpe mangroves — bioluminescent kayak tours after dark
Best time to visit
December through April is the most reliable window — boat access from Sierpe runs daily and Corcovado trails stay open. From May through November the rivers swell and the dirt road to the bay can close, but wildlife sightings and humpback migration peak (July–October).
Guides for Bahia Drake
- Where to stay in Drake Bay: the town, or the boat-only coast · Where to stay
- Things to Do in Drake Bay: What to Book, and in What Order · Things to do
- Boat or Drive to Drake Bay? The Schedule Decides, Not the Road · Getting there
- Sirena or San Pedrillo: Which Corcovado Day to Book from Drake Bay · Things to do
- Isla del Caño Snorkeling: When to Go, What You’ll See & How to Book the Right Tour · Things to do
Experiences
Floating Tour in Rio Claro with Lunch from Drake Bay
From $80 per person
Drake Bay — Night Walk with Certified Guide
From $75 per person
7 Day Adventure and Wildlife Tour in Drake Bay and Osa
From $1,515 per person
5 Days Wildlife Tour in Drake Bay, Sierpe, Corcovado and Osa
From $1,150 per person
2-Day Corcovado Expedition with Overnight at Sirena Station
From $395 per person
Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour from Drake Bay
From $125 per person
Osa Peninsula Birdwatching Tour from Drake Bay
From $55 per person
Sierpe Mangrove Riverboat Tour from Drake Bay
From $110 per person
Corcovado National Park – Sirena Station Day Tour from Drake Bay
From $110 per person
Caño Island Diving 2 Tank Trip
From $155 per person
Caño Island Snorkeling
From $100 per person
Corcovado National Park San Pedrillo Station Tour from Drake Bay
From $100 per person
Tapir Trail Jungle Hike near Corcovado from Drake Bay
From $75 per person
Sunset Sea Kayak in Drake Bay
From $60 per person
Bioluminescence Kayak in Drake Bay
From $45 per person
See all 15 tours and activities in Bahia Drake →
Getting around
Gallery
Practical facts
- Local time
- UTC-6 · Same time as Costa Rica
- Region
- Provincia de Puntarenas
- Main language
- Spanish
- On the map
- 8.69° N, 83.66° W
Near Bahia Drake
- Sierpe · 29 km away
- Puerto Jimenez · 40 km away
- Uvita · 54 km away
- Manuel Antonio · 97 km away
- Boquete · 134 km away
- Cartago · 134 km away
More of Costa Rica
Pura vida is a way of life in this small Central American republic where 28% of the land sits under protection.
Explore Costa Rica · Liberia · San Jose · Monteverde · Tamarindo · Alajuela
Where to stay
Fauna Lodge
10/10 · 48 reviews
Eco Lodge&Farm Rustic Roots Reserve
10/10 · 12 reviews
Casa Danta
10/10 · 7 reviews
Natural Drake Bay Hotel Boutique
10/10 · 5 reviews
The Sunset Tucano Lodge
10/10 · 3 reviews
Drake Bay Sunset Lodge
10/10 · 3 reviews
Ocean and forest view Manolo Cabins
10/10 · 3 reviews
Corcovado Bungalows
10/10 · 3 reviews
Eden Corcovado
9.9/10 · 23 reviews
Vista Alta Ecolodge Bahia Drake
9.8/10 · 71 reviews