DRAKE BAYNamed after the Englishman who destroyed the Spanish Armada in 1588, Drake Bay was discovered by Sir Francis Drake in 1579.
    The Bay sits along the northern coast of the Osa Peninsula and its waters are replete with marine life, including large marine mammals like porpoises and whales (courtesy of YouTube) Like the other marine life, large mammals move along the coast here but sometimes move into the area around Drake Bay in enormous numbers: literally thousands of porpoises are sometimes still seen. Getting There For most people, the only practical way of getting to the lodges along Drake Bay is by boat. There are air charters from the San Jose area that can get you to the coast near the little community Sierpe in about 40 minutes. From there you can hire a boat to take you onto Drake Bay.
A list of air charter companies is here, click to see
Express buses (these are like Grayhound buses, not the city buses you'll see in San Jose) are comfortable, fast, and if you're on a budget, very inexpensive
and we have current bus schedules here, click.
The surrounding land is lush and filled with huge coconut tree plantations used to make coconut oil. Sierpe sits along a short, beautiful river of the same name. The boat ride to its mouth (called the "boca") is gorgeous and about 40 minutes long. From the mouth of the river, Drake Bay will be on your left and Cano Island directly ahead. And, of course, virtually all of the lodges along Drake Bay offer tours of one sort or another which include transportation and lodging. Unspoiled, deserted and wildlife rich beaches, great sport fishing, sea kayaking, bird watching, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and more await you at Drake. But, remember, it's going to be remote. Your cell phone isn't likely to work here and if you're part of the "connected" world expect to be "unplugged" for a few days. Want to Try a Little Fishing?
From Sierpe, my little group traveled along the beautiful Sierpe River. As we reached its mouth, the morning sun was bright, the waters blue and almost calm. We passed Drake Bay and the Osa Peninsula on our left, then Cano Island to our right heading for a deep drop-off about 18 miles offshore. We passed a seagull lazily sitting atop a rounded floating object--a sunning sea turtle. Then, another seagull and another sea turtle. We were the only boat about 6 miles west of Cano and the Osa but we were not alone. Our guide, a Tico who called himself "Steve", said fishing for finned fish had turned slow due to very warm waters driving the critters deeper but at 8:30 my friend, Frank, hooked a sailfish. After a good battle, we brought it onboard long enough for a photo then off the 80 pounder went. At 10:45, they struck. Two. Simultaneously. Marlin. One on the left of the boat; one on the right. Reels squeeled as line flew out. One was lost but, for the next 3 1/2 hours, the other took our full measure, leaping from the water again and again, sometimes pulling--literally pulling--the 26' boat. I suppose it was because he was large, over 12 feet long, and probably weighing well in excess of 400 pounds that we had so much trouble landing him (actually just getting him along the boat for release) but it was his strength that was unbelievable. At one point he suddenly leaped from the water, just four feet or so from where I was standing, flying so high he was above the transom AND the motor. From the start of the fight to its conclusion, our boat traveled 6 1/2 miles! Yep, our guide was right. Fishing for fins was slow. Only two fish. Pura Vida! Recommendation
I'd like to offer you a recommendation if you're going to drive in Costa Rica.From San Jose, drive south along the Panamerican Highway (it runs from Nicaragua, north of Costa Rica, south to Panama) to San Isidro. It's about a four hour trip. You'll climb, then descend, Chirripo Mountain, one of Costa Rica's Seven Wonders, click for more At San Isidro, turn right (west) and head over to the coast at Dominical where you'll hit a brand new highway called the "Costanera." Head south (well, you could head north along the coast but the road is NOT finished there so if you like dirt and washboard driving this is for you; if not, follow my advice). You'll have some of the most beautiful country alongside, big rainforest mountains coming down nearly to the road on your left and spectacular deserted beaches on your right. Dominical has some of the finest beaches in Costa Rica and is a favored place for
Costa Rica surfing, click for more
And, don't neglect going to Palmar Sur (maybe four miles from Sierpe) to see the mysterious
disquis balls, click to see what these are (you'll also find them on Cano Island)
It'll be a trip you'll never forget. Corcovado National ParkThe Osa Peninsula contains Corcovado National Park, a must-see for folks who want to visit an incredible wilderness. You'll need good hiking boots, a good guide, and insect repellant here but you'll experience nature really up close and personal (not to mention blisters so bring what you need for these) because Corcovado is the "most biologically intense" place on Earth, click to see whyCano IslandI've mentioned it before but there's a small island off the bay that offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling in all of Costa Rica. As a reminder, it's called Cano Island and is a marine wonderland, click to visitHere's a little test. What do you call Drake Bay PLUS Cano Island PLUS Osa Peninsula PLUS Corcovado National Park? AWESOME!!!
Go to Costa Rica National Parks, Vol. 2 here, click Go from Drake Bay to Costa Rica Vacations homepage click here
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