Places to Stay in Drake Bay
Drake Bay offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury to budget. Here is a list of hotels with links to their websites. We hope this will help travelers plan their upcoming trip to Drake Bay. If you have just returned from Drake Bay, we invite you to share your hotel recommendations and comments.
High End Private Vacation Homes:
Drake Bay Rainforest Chalet http://www.drakebayholiday.com/
High End Resorts:
Drake Bay Wilderness Resort http://www.drakebay.com/
La Paloma Lodge http://www.lapalomalodge.com/
Aguila de Osa Inn http://www.aguiladeosainn.com/
Mid-Range and Budget
Jinetes de Osa Inn http://www.costaricadiving.com/
Rancho Corcovado http://www.ranchocorcovado.com/
Cabinas Jade Mar http://www.jademarcr.com/
Cabinas Manolo http://www.cabinasmanolo.com/
Mirador Lodge http://www.miradordrakebay.com/
Finca Maresia http://www.fincamaresia.com/
Pirate Cove http://www.piratecovecostarica.com/
Hotel Ojala http://www.hotelojala.com/
Cabinas Murillo http://www.drakecorcovadocabins.com/
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Travel to Drake Bay
Given its remote location just north of Corcovado, traveling to Drake Bay - while not difficult - is certainly more involved than other eco travel destinations. With your extra effort, however, you will be rewarded with lush scenery, incredibly rich biodiversity, and one of the most exotic vacation destination in all of Costa Rica.
Because of the logistics involved in traveling to Drake Bay, it is important to reserve with one of the area resorts prior to your trip. Your resort will then help coordinate your transportation to Drake Bay.
Possible Itineraries:
Fly San Jose - Palmar Sur
Air Transport to Palmar Sur: The first leg of your travel itinerary begins with a morning flight to Palmar Sur. This 40-minute flight offers spectacular vistas of the rainforest and southern Pacific coastline.
Palmar Sur can also be reached by bus (6 hours) or car (five hours) from San Jose, if you prefer to travel overland.
Taxi Transport to Sierpe: After touching down in Palmar Sur, a taxi will be waiting to transport you to the sleepy riverside village of Sierpe. On this 20-minute ride, you'll pass through a large expanse of banana and African oil palm plantations.
Boat Transport to Drake Bay: Once in Sierpe you'll begin the maritime leg of your journey - a 25 mile boat ride to Drake Bay. This hour and fifteen minute ride will take you first through the Sierpe-Terraba Mangrove Reserve, the largest mangrove reserve in Costa Rica. With a keen eye and the help of your captain, you may spot caimans, iguanas, and certainly a variety of water birds along the river's edge. Then on the final twenty minutes of the trip, you'll pass through the mouth of the Sierpe River and onto the blue Pacific. The passage is spectacular with stunning views of Caño Island and the Osa Peninsula Coast.
Fly San Jose - Drake Bay
While the adventure of traveling through the Sierpe-Terraba Mangrove Reserve is lost, flying directly to Drake Bay does offer travelers a faster route to the area.
Air Transport to Drake Bay: This flight also takes just less than an hour.
Taxi Transport to Agujitas: After touching down in Drake Bay, a taxi will be waiting to transport you to the village of Agujitas. The taxi ride takes about fifteen minutes.
Boat Transport to Your Resort: Unless you are lodging at one of the small hotels in the village (which are accessible by car), the next leg of your journey will be a quick boat ride from the village to your resort. This is a beachside pick up, so you'll definitely get your feet wet boarding the boat. There's usually not much surf in the village. Even so, it's a really good idea to have your camera gear protected beforehand.
Airlines with service to Drake Bay and Palmar Sur
Nature Air www.natureair.com
SANSA Airline www.flysansa.com
Overland to Drake Bay
There is a 4WD-dirt road that leads to Drake Bay. Depending on the time of year, road conditions range from ok to impassable. There are river crossing without bridges. If you are considering traveling by car, you should check with your resort and car rental agency for their advice before making the trip.
Because of the logistics involved in traveling to Drake Bay, it is important to reserve with one of the area resorts prior to your trip. Your resort will then help coordinate your transportation to Drake Bay.
Possible Itineraries:
Fly San Jose - Palmar Sur
Air Transport to Palmar Sur: The first leg of your travel itinerary begins with a morning flight to Palmar Sur. This 40-minute flight offers spectacular vistas of the rainforest and southern Pacific coastline.
Palmar Sur can also be reached by bus (6 hours) or car (five hours) from San Jose, if you prefer to travel overland.
Taxi Transport to Sierpe: After touching down in Palmar Sur, a taxi will be waiting to transport you to the sleepy riverside village of Sierpe. On this 20-minute ride, you'll pass through a large expanse of banana and African oil palm plantations.
Boat Transport to Drake Bay: Once in Sierpe you'll begin the maritime leg of your journey - a 25 mile boat ride to Drake Bay. This hour and fifteen minute ride will take you first through the Sierpe-Terraba Mangrove Reserve, the largest mangrove reserve in Costa Rica. With a keen eye and the help of your captain, you may spot caimans, iguanas, and certainly a variety of water birds along the river's edge. Then on the final twenty minutes of the trip, you'll pass through the mouth of the Sierpe River and onto the blue Pacific. The passage is spectacular with stunning views of Caño Island and the Osa Peninsula Coast.
Fly San Jose - Drake Bay
While the adventure of traveling through the Sierpe-Terraba Mangrove Reserve is lost, flying directly to Drake Bay does offer travelers a faster route to the area.
Air Transport to Drake Bay: This flight also takes just less than an hour.
Taxi Transport to Agujitas: After touching down in Drake Bay, a taxi will be waiting to transport you to the village of Agujitas. The taxi ride takes about fifteen minutes.
Boat Transport to Your Resort: Unless you are lodging at one of the small hotels in the village (which are accessible by car), the next leg of your journey will be a quick boat ride from the village to your resort. This is a beachside pick up, so you'll definitely get your feet wet boarding the boat. There's usually not much surf in the village. Even so, it's a really good idea to have your camera gear protected beforehand.
Airlines with service to Drake Bay and Palmar Sur
Nature Air www.natureair.com
SANSA Airline www.flysansa.com
Overland to Drake Bay
There is a 4WD-dirt road that leads to Drake Bay. Depending on the time of year, road conditions range from ok to impassable. There are river crossing without bridges. If you are considering traveling by car, you should check with your resort and car rental agency for their advice before making the trip.
Facts on Drake Bay
Pleasantly isolated on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Drake Bay lies on the northernmost point of the Osa Peninsula.
Claimed by many as one of the most beautiful regions in the world, the Osa Peninsula is where the Costa Rica of legend still exists. With eighty per cent, or 430,000 acres of the Osa Peninsula protected by Corcovado National Park and private forest reserves, the region stands as one of the last great tracks of unspoiled primary rainforest in Central America. To this day, Corcovado, along with the majority of the peninsula remains road-less. This, along with government and grass-root protectionism, has shielded the region from over-development.
Population
According to the 2006 census there are 350 homes and 1,030 inhabitants in the Drake Bay area. This area encompasses 12 districts including the villages of Progreso, Agujitas, Los Planes, Los Angeles, Caletas, and Rincon, as well as the area south to Corcovado.
Communications
While there are still no telephone lines in Drake Bay, there is cellular service. Calling in or out of Drake Bay can be incredibly frustrating at times, though.
If you must place a call, there is a public telephone at the beachfront general store in the village of Agujitas . Some resorts may allow guests to use their office phone, as well.
Resorts, along with many private homes, are equipped with marine band radios. This is the primary means of communication between the area resorts, boat captains, and guides.
While there are still no telephone lines in Drake Bay, there is cellular service. Calling in or out of Drake Bay can be incredibly frustrating at times, though.
If you must place a call, there is a public telephone at the beachfront general store in the village of Agujitas . Some resorts may allow guests to use their office phone, as well.
Resorts, along with many private homes, are equipped with marine band radios. This is the primary means of communication between the area resorts, boat captains, and guides.
Electricity
In 2004 the village of Agujitas was connected to the electrical grid. The electric lines stop at Jinetes de Osa Inn. All resorts south of Jinetes must generate their own electricity. Most rely on diesel-powered generators. Some of the smaller resorts have solar or hydro-powered systems.
Medical help
There is a doctor and small clinic in the village of Agujitas.
Money
US Dollars, Costa Rican Colones, and US Dollar Traveler's Checks are all generally accepted in Drake Bay. Many of the resorts do accept credit cards as well. You should inquire with your resort beforehand if you plan on paying by credit card. There are no banks or ATM's in Drake Bay.
Medical and Safety Concerns
Plants: Some palms in Drake Bay have needle sharp spines. Definitely look before you grab hold of any plants.
Insects: Travelers are often surprised by the relative lack of mosquitoes in Drake Bay. There usually is a small population boom in January, at the beginning of dry season. While they may be more numerous for a week or two, even then they really aren't much of a problem.
Sand flies can be problematic on the beach at the San Padrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado and, occasionally, at Cano Island. Repellant may come in handy .
Snakes: There are venomous snakes in Drake Bay. As most vipers lead fairly reclusive lives, you can count yourself lucky if you see one. The fer-de-lance is the most common pit viper on the Osa Peninsula. A watchful eye on the trail is the best way to prevent an unpleasant encounter.
Sun Exposure: Sunburn is certainly the most likely health risk you'll encounter. Sunscreen should be applied liberally before outings.
Ocean Safety: While Drake Bay does not have a reputation for rip tides, occasionally there are large waves. At high tide rocky outcrops can be hidden below the waters surface.
Entertainment
Along with the resort bars, there are a couple of rustic bars in the village. Dances are often held on the weekends .
Climate
Temperatures average in the mid to upper eighties year round . There are two seasons in Costa Rica...the dry and the rainy season. The dry season begins in December and typically runs to April. September and October are the rainiest months of the year. Many of the local resorts close for the month of October .
Getting Around
The dirt road that leads to Drake Bay ends at Corcovado Expeditions Tour Operators in Agujitas. South of Expeditions, foot trails and horse trails connect both private homes and resorts alike. The coastal foot trail that leads South towards Corcovado is very scenic. Scarlet macaws and white face monkeys, along with a wealth of other wildlife, can often be spotted along this beautiful route.
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