Drake Bay Travel Guide

Drake Bay is located on the Southern Pacific of the Osa Peninsula, in the province of Puntarenas and it is considered one of the most amazing regions in the world with a variety of beautiful beaches, lush rainforest and biodiversity. Thanks to the nearby Corcovado National Park and Caño Island there are many adventurous and family friendly activities available. The Drake Bay area is one of the prime locations to spot humpback whales and scarlet macaws. Horseback riding, snorkeling, scuba diving, sunbathing, sport fishing, bird watching and hiking are just a few things to do in Drake Bay.

Things to do in Drake Bay

Hiking
Stretching from Drake Bay to Playa Rincon de San Josecito, the trail follows the coastline within the rainforest and visits beautiful beaches covered in palm trees.

Canopy Tour
In this adventure you will be amongst the trees to observe the animals that have made the jungle canopy their home. An exhilarating adventure with nine platforms, six ziplines, one of which is over 100 meters long, observation walkways and a 25-meter rappel down to the edge of a stream.

Kayaking
This kayaking adventure goes to Rio Agujitas, where calm waters allow you to fully take in the surrounding jungle and just listen to the sound of the wildlife around you. The river eventually opens up to a bay on the sea, giving you the opportunity to also do some sea kayaking.

Drake Bay tours to other destinations nearby

Snorkeling Isla del Cano
Caño Island is a biological reserve located 20 km off the coast of the Osa peninsula. Although the island itself is off-limits to visitors, the gorgeous marine reserve surrounding it is the perfect place to snorkel or scuba dive. The coral reefs surrounding the island are home to many different species of fish. There’s also a high chance of spotting other turtles, sting rays, morays and white-tip reef sharks.

Whale and Dolphin tour
You will encounter many species of dolphins and whales that live in the warm blue waters of the Osa Peninsula. The Drake Bay marine area is loaded with pods of dolphins and has one of the longest Humpback Whale seasons on the planet. Whales can be spotted year round but high season for Humpbacks begins near the end of July and lasts until the end of September.

Corcovado National Park
Venture through the primary rainforest, explore a breathtaking waterfall and soak in all of what Corcovado National Park and the beautiful surroundings have to offer. You will have the chance to see many diverse animal species, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods. It’s one of the most important national parks in Costa Rica and is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Location and Map

Flying is the fastest, most hassle-free way of visiting Drake Bay. Costa Rican domestic airlines offer daily flights from San Jose to Drake Bay and Palmar Sur. The Drake Bay Airport is just ten minutes from Drake Bay. Flights from San Jose are about 45 minutes long. When driving from San Jose to Drake Bay you will take the Interamericana Highway south through San Isidro del General, past Dominical, and down to Palmar Sur. Once you reach Chacarita, follow the signs for another three hours through Rincon de Osa and on to Drake Bay. The journey will take approximately 8 hours. A four-wheel drive vehicle is mandatory for this route.