Drake Bay: Getting There, Stays and Day Trips

Drake Bay is a district of Osa canton on the northwest coast of the Osa Peninsula. Its main village is Agujitas, on the bay itself. Local history links the name to the English privateer Sir Francis Drake, and the town marks his arrival each February. Drake Bay suits travelers who don't mind a remote base, beach landings and early starts in exchange for direct access to Caño Island and Corcovado.

Who it suits

• Wildlife lovers: the forest around the bay is very humid and rich in species, and boat tours watch for dolphins and whales offshore.
• Snorkelers and divers: tours to Caño Island leave from Drake.
• Hikers: guided trips to Corcovado National Park also start here.

Drake Bay is not a good fit if you want to drive between many stops or need shops and services close by. Plan for at least two or three nights.

Getting there

There are three ways in, and each one depends on the weather:

1. By boat from Sierpe. ICT names the boat from Sierpe as one way to reach Drake village. Boats may land on the beach, so pack for stepping into shallow water with your bags. Read about road and boat access to Drake Bay before you plan the day.
2. By small plane. SANSA, a domestic airline, says it offers up to four daily flights to Drake Bay from San José depending on the season. ICT's Drake Bay article (read October 2026) gives the flight time as about 40 minutes.
3. By road. ICT warns that the road has river crossings, damaged stretches and closures after floods, and it puts the overland trip at an average of about 7 to 8 hours.

Weather can stop boats and flights, so check current conditions with your lodge the day before you travel.

Day trips

Caño Island. The island is a biological reserve offshore from Drake. Read about Caño Island trip rules before you book, including the guide requirement and snorkel zones.

Corcovado. You need a registered local guide and a reservation to enter the park. Read about guided Corcovado day trips from Drake Bay and how SINAC handles bookings.

Tours from Drake Bay:

• Dolphin and whale watching: a boat tour from Playa Colorado in Drake Bay with an on-board hydrophone for listening to dolphins and whales, plus snorkel gear and lunch. A minimum number of guests applies. View on Viator ↗Partner link
• Night walk in the rainforest: a guided night walk with a biologist, looking for insects, bats and other night life. For guests staying in Drake Bay town (Agujitas). The meeting point is in front of Jinetes de Osa Inn, and you must stay within a 20-minute walk of it. View on Viator ↗Partner link
• Río Claro float with lunch: a guided float down the Río Claro, with life jackets and lunch included. It suits travelers in good shape. View on Viator ↗Partner link

What to pack

Pack a dry bag for beach landings, water shoes, motion-sickness bands for the boat, binoculars and a red-light headlamp for night walks.

Where to stay

Stays cluster in Agujitas and in smaller spots along the coast, such as Caletas and San Josecito, where some tours don't pick up. Choose a place in Agujitas if you want to walk to the beach, the boats and evening tours. Read about places to stay in Drake Bay.

For the rest of the peninsula, including Puerto Jiménez and the Golfo Dulce, see the wider Osa Peninsula.

Related guides

• Guided Corcovado day trips from Drake Bay
• Caño Island trip rules
• The wider Osa Peninsula
• Places to stay in Drake Bay
• Road and boat access to Drake Bay