Southern Drake Lodge Guidebook

Susannah
Southern Drake Lodge Guidebook

Drake Bay's food scene

There’s a great choice of bars and restaurants in town and everyone wants you to have a good time and enjoy the relaxed Drake Bay dining experience. These are our favourites. You’ll have great food and a great time wherever you go so why not explore and find your own. If you would like a restaurant to cook your catch, let us know. If you're a larger group a reservation will be needed so just let us know. Most of the bars and restaurants are family owned and have WiFi but hey, who needs that when you’re having a great time.
Our favourite place for breakfast. They have a great selection including local dishes, pancakes, smoothies and fruit dishes - and most importantly, great coffee. The restaurant is above the market/grocery store (all owned by the same family). They have recently refurbished it and installed windows and air conditioning. As it’s above the store you get a fantastic panoramic view of the bay as you drink your morning coffee and watch the town walk by.
restaurante mar y bosque
Our favourite place for breakfast. They have a great selection including local dishes, pancakes, smoothies and fruit dishes - and most importantly, great coffee. The restaurant is above the market/grocery store (all owned by the same family). They have recently refurbished it and installed windows and air conditioning. As it’s above the store you get a fantastic panoramic view of the bay as you drink your morning coffee and watch the town walk by.
The perfect lunch spot, close enough to the ocean to feel the salt spray as the waves break on the rocks close by. A husband and wife team run this fantastic place offering, amongst the usual local delicacies, some gorgeous pasta dishes. Yes, you guessed it, the chef is Italian. Great place to have a sly lunchtime holiday cocktail and watch tired hikers returning from their treks.
Kalaluna Bistro
The perfect lunch spot, close enough to the ocean to feel the salt spray as the waves break on the rocks close by. A husband and wife team run this fantastic place offering, amongst the usual local delicacies, some gorgeous pasta dishes. Yes, you guessed it, the chef is Italian. Great place to have a sly lunchtime holiday cocktail and watch tired hikers returning from their treks.
Next to a lagoon sits this cozy, family run restaurant. We usually go there in the evening but it’s practically on the beach so it’s another good lunch spot. All the food is fabulous here but our personal favourite is the palmito (heart of palm) with rice.
6 locals recommend
Casa El Tortugo Drakes Kitchen
Camino Aerodromo - Bahía Drake
6 locals recommend
Next to a lagoon sits this cozy, family run restaurant. We usually go there in the evening but it’s practically on the beach so it’s another good lunch spot. All the food is fabulous here but our personal favourite is the palmito (heart of palm) with rice.
On the main road through town you’ll see Marea Alta. Ran by one of our favourite Drake Bay residents - Chino. This is his brand new bar & restaurant. He manages to always combine a good ambience, people, cocktails and good food. This is our go to choice for dinner. You can always get a good steak here and excellent ribs that are smoked slowly on the grill all afternoon. Chino is a fabulous mixologist, our favourite, a simple gin & tonic but he makes it so well.
Marea Alta
On the main road through town you’ll see Marea Alta. Ran by one of our favourite Drake Bay residents - Chino. This is his brand new bar & restaurant. He manages to always combine a good ambience, people, cocktails and good food. This is our go to choice for dinner. You can always get a good steak here and excellent ribs that are smoked slowly on the grill all afternoon. Chino is a fabulous mixologist, our favourite, a simple gin & tonic but he makes it so well.

Hiking around Drake Bay

Drake Bay is a wonderful area to explore. Most of the area is either privately owned or belongs to a national park. As a general rule, if you’re unsure where you can or can’t go, stick to the paths, roads and beaches unless you’re on a guided tour. Below are a few suggestions for local hikes along the Drake Bay Hiking Trail. Always remember to look up as well as down so you don’t miss any photo opportunities.
San Josecito Beach is a challenging but rewarding hike. Following the same trail as Cocolito, just taking it a lot further along the coast. This is a beautiful sandy beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You’ll pass many quiet, if not deserted beaches. You’ll need to cross the Rio Claro (Clear River) which is a wade at low tide. At high tide take a small diversion into the jungle and look out for a place offering river activities. Either indulge or, just ask them if they can take you across for a fee. This is a long hike and you’ll be exposed to the sun a lot, which will take it out of you (hence challenging). It will take you most of the day, there and back and you’ll need plenty of water for your journey. If you don’t fancy walking there and back, especially if you’re carrying snorkeling gear, you could prearrange for a boat to pick you up at San Josecito beach. There are many variations of this trip, including arranging a boat to take you there too. Let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss your potential options.
6 locals recommend
Playa San Josecito
Drake Bay Hiking Trail
6 locals recommend
San Josecito Beach is a challenging but rewarding hike. Following the same trail as Cocolito, just taking it a lot further along the coast. This is a beautiful sandy beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling. You’ll pass many quiet, if not deserted beaches. You’ll need to cross the Rio Claro (Clear River) which is a wade at low tide. At high tide take a small diversion into the jungle and look out for a place offering river activities. Either indulge or, just ask them if they can take you across for a fee. This is a long hike and you’ll be exposed to the sun a lot, which will take it out of you (hence challenging). It will take you most of the day, there and back and you’ll need plenty of water for your journey. If you don’t fancy walking there and back, especially if you’re carrying snorkeling gear, you could prearrange for a boat to pick you up at San Josecito beach. There are many variations of this trip, including arranging a boat to take you there too. Let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss your potential options.
Cocolito Beach, an easy to moderate hike, is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike for a day at the beach. This well signposted route along the Drake Bay Hiking Trail will take you from the town beach, over a rope bridge across the Agujitas river, through the jungle and eventually bring you out onto a beautiful beach. There are steps to take you up and over the headland and down to the beach itself (hence moderate). Make sure you don’t just stop at the first bit of beach you see and take time to explore the area. Don’t fancy carrying a picnic? We’d recommend stopping for lunch (and maybe a cheeky cocktail) at Kalaluna Bistro, where you’ll get gorgeous food and a fabulous view of the ocean as you watch fellow hikers strolling by. The trail will also take you through the grounds of the hotels Aguila de Osa and La Paloma Lodge. The Aguila de Osa hotel is before the rope bridge over the Agujitas river and is a great place to sneak in another cheeky cocktail.
Cocalito Beach
Drake Bay Hiking Trail
Cocolito Beach, an easy to moderate hike, is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike for a day at the beach. This well signposted route along the Drake Bay Hiking Trail will take you from the town beach, over a rope bridge across the Agujitas river, through the jungle and eventually bring you out onto a beautiful beach. There are steps to take you up and over the headland and down to the beach itself (hence moderate). Make sure you don’t just stop at the first bit of beach you see and take time to explore the area. Don’t fancy carrying a picnic? We’d recommend stopping for lunch (and maybe a cheeky cocktail) at Kalaluna Bistro, where you’ll get gorgeous food and a fabulous view of the ocean as you watch fellow hikers strolling by. The trail will also take you through the grounds of the hotels Aguila de Osa and La Paloma Lodge. The Aguila de Osa hotel is before the rope bridge over the Agujitas river and is a great place to sneak in another cheeky cocktail.
The Drake Bay loop - this is an easy, circular (well actually more a square) route around the bay that goes right pass the lodge. A slow hike would take about 1hr, and passes through town and past the beach.
8 locals recommend
Drake Bay
8 locals recommend
The Drake Bay loop - this is an easy, circular (well actually more a square) route around the bay that goes right pass the lodge. A slow hike would take about 1hr, and passes through town and past the beach.

Tours in Drake Bay

Tours are the most popular activity in Drake Bay, these are the two on everyone's list. We recommend booking at least a month in advance. There are other tours and a lot can be tailored to suit your requirements, such as hiring a private guide or, having a boat to yourself for a sunset cruise. Most come with food provided and are early starts (from 6.00am). To book tours, the latest prices and to discuss any potential bespoke requests, just ask.
Corcovado is ¨the most biologically intense place on Earth in term of biodiversity” according to the National Geographic. It’s the best place in Costa Rica to see animals and birds in their natural jungle environment. You enter Corcovado National Park from Drake Bay at the Sirena or San Pedrillo Ranger Station, both situated north along the Osa Peninsula coastline. A new regulation means you will be asked to supply your name and passport number when booking your tour. Food, single use plastics, cigarettes and vaping are not allowed in the park. Take your reusable water bottle. You may be subject to bag searches on arrival at the park. San Pedrillo - A short 30 minute boat ride lands you at San Pedrillo ranger station, at the north entrance of the park. Prepare yourself for a wet landing. A typical tour consists of two hikes. The morning hike is usually a three and a half hour, slow paced hike in search of birds and animals. The afternoon hike is shorter, but includes an ascent to a waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim in the cool water. Sirena - The largest interior ranger station in Corcovado, it’s also the most rustic. It’s just over a one hour boat ride and the coast line is probably one of the most scenic you’ll ever see. It’s another wet landing a bit wilder and a bit quicker, so listen to your guide carefully as it’s also rocky. This is the only place in Costa Rica to see all four species of monkey. There are of course other famous residents - scarlet macaws, tapir, peccaries, iguanas, three toed sloths, lizards, and an enormous variety of plants, amphibians, and insects. For the truly adventurous you can spend a night or two with a guide in the park and see a whole host of different creatures and see the jungle as it should be experienced under the stars.
Corcovado National Park - Sirena and San Pedrillo Ranger Station
Corcovado is ¨the most biologically intense place on Earth in term of biodiversity” according to the National Geographic. It’s the best place in Costa Rica to see animals and birds in their natural jungle environment. You enter Corcovado National Park from Drake Bay at the Sirena or San Pedrillo Ranger Station, both situated north along the Osa Peninsula coastline. A new regulation means you will be asked to supply your name and passport number when booking your tour. Food, single use plastics, cigarettes and vaping are not allowed in the park. Take your reusable water bottle. You may be subject to bag searches on arrival at the park. San Pedrillo - A short 30 minute boat ride lands you at San Pedrillo ranger station, at the north entrance of the park. Prepare yourself for a wet landing. A typical tour consists of two hikes. The morning hike is usually a three and a half hour, slow paced hike in search of birds and animals. The afternoon hike is shorter, but includes an ascent to a waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim in the cool water. Sirena - The largest interior ranger station in Corcovado, it’s also the most rustic. It’s just over a one hour boat ride and the coast line is probably one of the most scenic you’ll ever see. It’s another wet landing a bit wilder and a bit quicker, so listen to your guide carefully as it’s also rocky. This is the only place in Costa Rica to see all four species of monkey. There are of course other famous residents - scarlet macaws, tapir, peccaries, iguanas, three toed sloths, lizards, and an enormous variety of plants, amphibians, and insects. For the truly adventurous you can spend a night or two with a guide in the park and see a whole host of different creatures and see the jungle as it should be experienced under the stars.
Take advantage of Caño Island's clear, warm waters and catch a glimpse of the superb array of marine life by either snorkeling or SCUBA diving. The island is a biological reserve and you’ll get the opportunity to view rays, dolphins, turtles and whales.
39 locals recommend
Isla del Cano
39 locals recommend
Take advantage of Caño Island's clear, warm waters and catch a glimpse of the superb array of marine life by either snorkeling or SCUBA diving. The island is a biological reserve and you’ll get the opportunity to view rays, dolphins, turtles and whales.

City advice

Getting around

Driving? A 4 x 4 is a must for Drake Bay

The roads have been improved a lot but they’re still dirt roads so please drive slowly and carefully. We recommend avoiding driving at night as the roads are poorly lit. Where possible avoid attempting to cross rivers and streams. If there’s a bridge close by use that instead. Sometimes we know it’s unavoidable so, if you’re worried, wait a while, a local will be by soon enough and will know the best part to cross. Drive slowly through the water at all times.
Getting around

Power outages can happen

The most common reason is a tree has fallen on the power lines. Being in the jungle trees grow quickly, sometimes too fast to build the strength they need to stay upright. Most outages are only for a few minutes. Keep your devices fully charged and always carry a torch, just in case.
What to pack

What to take on hikes and tours

Reusable water bottle (no single use plastics in the park) Portable torch (e.g., headtorch) Sunscreen Insect repellent Swimsuits Walking/hiking boots Phone/device chargers and a spare portable battery Dry bag Water shoes or sandals Sarong - use them instead of beach towels
Getting around

What's a wet landing?

Another great Drake Bay experience. Tours, including fishing and visits to Corcovado National Park and Caño Island, involve a wet landing which means wading into the warm ocean a little when getting on or off a boat. We recommend using a dry bag and if you’re not a fan of going barefoot - water shoes or sandals which are also really useful if you’re exploring the local rivers.
Customs and culture

What local food and drink should I try?

We recommend trying the following which are available at most, if not all bars and restaurants. Ceviche - Fresh raw fish cured in citrus juices Gallo pinto - Rice and beans Patacones - Twice fried plantain slices Cacique (guaro) - Sugar cane based liquor served in a shot glass Michelada - The local version is a refreshing cold beer over fresh lemon and ice Chiliguaro - Guaro with tomato juice and chillies similar to a Bloody Mary but served as a shot
Getting around

Waze & WhatsApp

For getting around the most used app in Costa Rica is Waze, it's updated regularly so tends to be the most accurate, especially as Drake Bay is experiencing a lot of road improvements which means route changes. Everyone, including businesses, communicates using WhatsApp using messaging and voice recording as opposed to live calling.
Getting around

Ways to pay

The local currency is Costa Rican Colones (CRC). US Dollars (USD) are also widely accepted although expect to pay a little more in some places when using them. There’s no banks or ATMs in Drake Bay and although most places take the major credit, debit cards, Apple and Google pay, you may be subject to additional charges from those that do.
Don't miss

Whale & Dolphin Watching

Costa Rica's Pacific coast is positioned in one of most biologically diverse ocean ecosystems. This area is known as the Costa Rican Thermal Convection Dome. The ocean water has a warm top layer with a cold low-oxygen layer below. This combination creates a healthy marine habitat for a variety of creatures. Whales, dolphins, tuna, marlin, manta rays, sea turtles and more live in these waters and benefit from this year round thermal dome. We’re fortunate to host two migrations of humpback whales and see large pods of bottlenose, rough tooth, and spotted dolphins all year round.
Don't miss

Fishing - WOW

The main reason why we moved out here. After travelling all over the world fishing, Joe decided that it just doesn’t get any better. Drake Bay is one of the most productive and under fished areas in Costa Rica. Both bluewater and inshore can be arranged on a centre console boat or, a 35 foot Cabo Sport Fishing Yacht powered by twin 450 HP engines. With offshore fishing for sailfish, tuna and marlin and inshore fishing for Cubera, Roosterfish and Snook to name but a few, you'll have an amazing and unique experience. Most trips are booked a year in advance, so let us know ASAP.
Don't miss

Exploring mangroves

Explore the largest protected mangrove area in Central America. The Terraba-Sierpe National Humid Forest Reserve mangrove forest and swamp covers an 85 square mile area (220sq km) and is an important habitat for an amazing array of wildlife. River boat trips adventure into countless channels crisscrossing this vitally important ecosystem. Expect to see raccoons, caimans, crocodiles, monkeys, river turtles, sloths and coatis. It's a birders delight with the yellow mangrove warbler, the common potoo, and the frigate bird to name a few.