Major city · Costa Rica
Sierpe
Stay 1 night in Sierpe as a boat hub to Drake Bay; budget $30–$50 per day, 2–3 h total travel from San José.
Sierpe is a tiny riverside town on the edge of the Térraba‑Sierpe Wetland, serving as the main transfer point to Drake Bay and Corcovado. One night is enough to catch a boat, explore the stone spheres and enjoy a riverside meal before heading on. Longer stays are only needed for multiple boat trips or deep‑water activities.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season)
- Airport
- PMZ
- Nights
- 1
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 Sierpe911 ▾
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 Sierpe, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; keep cash secure, avoid unmetered taxis and verify card acceptance before ordering.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police / general emergencies · 911 fire and ambulance · 800‑000‑0000 Medical assistance (private)
- 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.
- AirportPMZ Palmar Sur Airport (Closest regional airport, about 30 km (19 mi) north of Sierpe).PMZ Palmar Sur Airport (Closest regional airport, about 19 mi (30 km) north of Sierpe).
- Getting aroundWalk within town; water taxis for river trips; public bus to Palmar Norte (30 min, $1); shuttle vans from major Pacific towns (expensive).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₡600–₡900
- Metro or bus ridePublic bus Palmar Norte ↔ Sierpe$1₡500
- Budget bedDormitory or basic hostel, a night, per personCRC 12
- Mid-range bedPrivate bungalow (Estero Azul), a night, per roomCRC 70
- High-end bedPrivate bungalow (Estero Azul), a night, per roomCRC 100
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 30 · Mid CRC 55 · High CRC 80
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- PMZ Palmar Sur Airport (Closest regional airport, about 30 km (19 mi) north of Sierpe)PMZ Palmar Sur Airport (Closest regional airport, about 19 mi (30 km) north of Sierpe)
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 (15 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sierpe: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 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
Walk within town; water taxis for river trips; public bus to Palmar Norte (30 min, $1); shuttle vans from major Pacific towns (expensive).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Stone Spheres (Valle de Diquis)
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Bus from Sierpe to Palmar Norte (30 min), then local taxi or walk 10 min to Finca 6
Entry fee US$4–6; check opening hours
Drake Bay
goDoor to door: ≈ 1–1.5 h
Public boat from Sierpe dock (7:15 am or 2:30 pm) – reserve via accommodationPublic boat from Sierpe dock (7:15 AM am or 2:30 AM pm) – reserve via accommodation
Boat $20 / ₡1,100 per person; may run late
Corcovado National Park (river entry)
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h total
Water taxi from Sierpe river mouth; 30‑min ride to park entrance
Bring cash; tours vary in price
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.
Estero Azul Lodge
Bungalows on riverbank; guided tours; basic amenities.
Hotel Pargo Rojo
Budget option; restaurant; private boat tours.
Sabalo Lodge
Eco‑lodge with waterfall, kayaking, limited to 12 guests.
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
- $30–$45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–$70 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dormitory or basic hostel1 × 1 night × CRC 12 | CRC 12 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CRC 30 | CRC 30 |
| Boat Sierpe ↔ Drake Bay (round‑trip)1 × CRC 20 · check | CRC 20 |
| Public bus Palmar Norte ↔ Sierpe (round‑trip)1 × CRC 1 · check | CRC 1 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 6 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 69 per person per day, bed included | CRC 69 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ₡600–₡900 |
| Boat ticket Sierpe ↔ Drake Bay | $20 / ₡1,100 |
| Public bus Palmar Norte ↔ Sierpe | $1 / ₡500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in Sierpe or Drake Bay; bring cash.
- Many businesses do not accept cards; confirm before ordering.
- Taxi drivers may quote inflated fares; insist on meter or negotiate beforehand.
Emergency numbers
- Police / General emergencies
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
- Medical assistance (private)
- 800‑000‑0000
Pocket card
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SierpeSierpe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police / General emergencies911
- Fire and ambulance911
- Medical assistance (private)800-000-0000
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- San José → Palmar Norte → Sierpe (bus): about $15 total, 5–7 h
- Sierpe → Drake Bay (boat): about $20 per person, 1–1.5 h
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 Sierpe. 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) · avoid May–Nov (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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 Sierpe
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