Information
Landmark: Drake BayCity: Zona Sur
Country: Costa Rica
Continent: North America
Drake Bay, Zona Sur, Costa Rica, North America
Overview
Tucked away on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay sits along the Pacific coast, where jungle meets a curve of quiet, golden sand.Drake Bay, with its lush green hills, palm-fringed beaches, and easy access to Corcovado National Park, makes a perfect base for spotting scarlet macaws, snorkeling in clear waters, and exploring the park’s incredible biodiversity.They named the bay for the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who’s said to have dropped anchor there in the 1500s, his ship creaking gently in the calm water.Drake Bay sits on Costa Rica’s southwestern coast, in Puntarenas Province, where the air smells faintly of salt and jungle.From Sierpe or Puerto Jiménez-two bustling gateways to the Osa Peninsula-it’s about a 40‑minute boat ride, with salt spray in the air and jungle on the horizon.The bay takes its name from Sir Francis Drake, who dropped anchor here during his late‑1500s voyages.His ships once sheltered in the bay during their voyages through the area.Drake Bay still feels far-flung-you usually get there by boat from Sierpe or Puerto Jiménez, or you can fly from San José to Puerto Jiménez and transfer in.Wrapped in thick rainforest, with bright green hills tumbling down to quiet, pale-sand beaches, it offers a view you won’t forget.This stretch of land lies on the Osa Peninsula, a place many call one of the world’s most biodiverse, with Corcovado National Park just close enough for scarlet macaws to glide overhead.Drake Bay boasts several stunning beaches, each with its own charm.Playa Drake is the bay’s main crescent of golden sand, calm enough for an easy swim or a lazy afternoon under the sun.Just a short boat ride away, Playa San Josécito offers quiet shores for picnics, snorkeling, and unhurried swims.For more adventure, Playa Colorada waits with its striking reddish sand, reached only by boat or a rugged hike through dense jungle.Many visitors also use Drake Bay as their jumping-off point for Corcovado National Park, a pristine wilderness brimming with extraordinary wildlife.Jaguars slip through the shadows, scarlet macaws flash red over the canopy, and tapirs graze in the undergrowth-this rich mix of wildlife draws nature lovers and eco-tourists from around the world.The waters off Drake Bay shimmer with coral reefs in every shade, drawing snorkelers and divers eager to explore their colorful twists and hidden fish.Visitors often see whale sharks gliding past, manta rays drifting like shadows, sea turtles paddling slowly, and flashes of bright tropical fish.The bay serves as a key route for migrating whales, and from July to October you might spot a humpback breaching just beyond the waves.If you’re in Drake Bay, don’t miss a guided trip to Corcovado National Park-you’ll ride a small boat across glittering water to reach its wild, animal-filled trails.Winding trails lead through the park, where you might glimpse a jaguar’s shadow in the undergrowth or hear a scarlet macaw’s cry above the trees, alongside monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife; meanwhile, the glassy waters of Drake Bay invite you to slip beneath the surface for snorkeling or a deep dive.One favorite stop is Isla del Caño, a small offshore marine reserve where bright coral gardens sway under the currents, and sea turtles glide past curious reef sharks.If you’re curious about the region’s underwater world, you can join a scuba diving tour and glide past bright coral and darting fish.Drake Bay’s calm, glassy waters are perfect for kayaking or standing tall on a paddleboard.Paddle through winding mangrove channels, walk the quiet stretch of beach where the sand warms under your feet, or trace the rugged coastline in search of hidden coves.In Drake Bay, the real thrill comes from spotting humpback whales breaching offshore between July and October.Dolphins often swim through the bay, and boat tours give you the chance to watch them leap beside the waves.You can also saddle up for a horseback ride into Drake Bay’s lush jungles, quiet beaches, and rolling green hills.These rides give you a fresh way to soak in the sweeping views and feel the area’s wild beauty, while nearby trails lead to waterfalls that tumble into cool, clear pools around Drake Bay.Visitors flock to the San Josécito Waterfall and Cascada Pavón for a cool swim in their crystal-clear natural pools, while the forests and shores around Drake Bay-stretching into Corcovado and out to Isla del Caño-draw birdwatchers eager to spot everything from bright scarlet macaws to tiny hummingbirds.Home to more than 400 bird species, the region bursts with color-scarlet macaws flashing through the canopy, toucanets perched in the shade, white hawks circling high, and herons gliding over quiet water.In Drake Bay, you’ll find places to stay for every taste, from simple eco-lodges scented with rainforest air to charming boutique hotels with polished wood verandas.Plenty of places to stay sit just steps from the sand, with balconies that open to sweeping ocean views.Many popular eco-lodges and resorts offer all-inclusive packages that cover meals, guided tours, and rides to nearby sights-sometimes even a quick shuttle to a hidden waterfall.Eco-lodges: You’ll find a handful of green retreats tucked into the landscape, where wooden decks overlook quiet streams and every detail is designed for a sustainable, immersive stay.These lodges put responsible tourism first, working to protect wildlife and lend real support to nearby communities-sometimes by funding a village school or clean water project.If you want extra comfort, Drake Bay offers boutique hotels with plush amenities, private balconies, and sweeping views of the ocean or the lush green rainforest.If you’re feeling adventurous, you can pitch a tent inside Corcovado National Park or stay in one of the nearby protected areas, where the air smells faintly of salt and earth.If you want the best weather, head to Drake Bay in the dry season, from December to April, when the skies stay clear and the ocean glimmers in the sun.This time of year brings bright sunshine, and the trails open up, dry and easy underfoot.From May to November, the rainy season paints the region in deep greens and keeps the crowds away, creating a richer, wilder landscape-though you’ll need to expect steady showers and the occasional muddy trail.Drake Bay sits off the beaten path, so reaching it usually means a flight from San José to Puerto Jiménez or Sierpe, then a boat ride, or simply a boat trip from either town.The boat ride from Sierpe takes about an hour, winding through the Térraba-Sierpe Mangrove Wetlands where herons lift off from the water’s edge.If you’d rather drive, head to Puerto Jiménez, then catch a boat to Drake Bay.The roads to the bay turn rough in the rainy season, with deep ruts slick from the downpour.In the end, Drake Bay remains a secluded, peaceful haven where visitors can experience some of the very best that
