Major city · Costa Rica
Drake Bay
Spend 2–3 days in Drake Bay for Corcovado hikes, boat tours and beach time; longer only if backpacking multiple ranger stations.
Drake Bay is a remote village on the Osa Peninsula, gateway to Corcovado National Park and Caño Island. Access is by small plane, 4x4 road or boat from Sierpe. Most activities are day trips by boat or foot, so 2–3 days cover the main tours without rushing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season, easier trails and boat trips)
- avoid Oct (boat schedule reduced), May–Nov (heavy rain, road may be difficult)
- Airport
- DRK
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Drake Bay911 ▾
- Police / General emergency911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Drake Bay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyDrake Bay is remote but safe; basic health services are in Puerto Jiménez, keep cash secure and watch river levels after heavy rain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / general emergency
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDRK Drake Bay Airport (Charter flights from San José; luggage limit 15 kg (33 lb)).DRK Drake Bay Airport (Charter flights from San José; luggage limit 33 lb (15 kg)).
- Getting aroundFoot within town; tours and transfers are by boat arranged through lodges; collective taxis or 4x4 rides can be hired locally.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DRK Drake Bay Airport (Charter flights from San José; luggage limit 15 kg (33 lb))DRK Drake Bay Airport (Charter flights from San José; luggage limit 33 lb (15 kg))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Drake Bay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Foot within town; tours and transfers are by boat arranged through lodges; collective taxis or 4x4 rides can be hired locally.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
San Pedrillo Ranger Station (Corcovado)
goDoor to door: ≈5 h total
4‑hour hike or 1‑hour boat from Drake Bay (arranged by lodge)
Entry point for Corcovado hikes; guide recommended.
Caño Island Biological Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
≈1‑hour boat from Drake Bay (lodges can book)
Snorkeling excellent; diving possible, weather dependent.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jinetes de Osa
9‑room eco‑lodge, meals and tours included
Cabinas Mirador Lodge
Mid‑range cabins with sea views, three meals daily
La Paloma Lodge
Eco‑lodge on a steep ridge, basic cabins
Aquila de Osa Inn
Small inn with rainforest setting, tours available
Tesoro Verde Hostel
Hostel in Los Planes, kitchen and rainforest reserve access
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡8,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Boat from Sierpe to Drake Baytwice daily except October | $20 |
| Guided Corcovado day hikeincludes guide, transport and park entry | $70–120 |
| Snorkel gear rental at Caño Islandask tour operator | $15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat departures from Sierpe to Drake Bay run at ~11:30 and 16:00; $20 each.Boat departures from Sierpe to Drake Bay run at ~11:30 AM and 4:00 PM; $20 each.
- No ATMs, banks or post office in town; bring cash.
- Zip‑line tours closed since 2022; verify any advertised activity.
- Road to Drake Bay requires 4x4; during heavy rain bridges can be washed out.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Drake BayDrake Bay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / General emergency911
Embassy
US emergency assistance via 911; nearest US consulate in San José.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sierpe → Drake Bay boat: about $20 per person, twice daily
- Charter flight San José → Drake Bay: ≈ $250–$350 one‑way, 15 kg (33 lb) luggage limit≈ $250–$350 one‑way, 33 lb (15 kg) luggage limit
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh cuesta)
- ¿Dónde está el muelle? — Where is the boat dock? (don-deh está el mwee-yeh)
- Necesito un guía — I need a guide (neh-seh-tee oon gee-ah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Drake Bay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry season, easier trails and boat trips) · avoid Oct (boat schedule reduced), May–Nov (heavy rain, road may be difficult) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Drake Bay
Loading…
Was this useful?