Drake Bay (Bahía Drake) is a small bay on the northwest coast of the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica's South Pacific. You come here for boat trips to Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño, and for a place where rainforest and ocean meet directly.The main village is called Agujitas and has around 1,000 inhabitants. Accommodations, small sodas, and tour operators are spread along the bay and on the slopes above. According to tradition, the name originates from the English seafarer Francis Drake, who is said to have visited the bay in the 16th century.Most visitors stay for several nights and book guided tours: day trips by boat to Sirena Station or San Pedrillo in Corcovado, snorkeling and diving trips to Isla del Caño, and hikes through the forest. Note that Sirena Station is closed to visitors every year in October.A coastal path leads south from Agujitas, passing several coves until Playa San Josecito; en route, you cross the Punta Río Claro Wildlife Refuge. You should plan half a day for the entire route.
Sights in Drake Bay
Discover the most important sights and attractions
1Caño Island Biological Reserve
The island is located approximately 16 kilometers off the west coast of the Osa Peninsula and has been protected as a biological reserve since 1976, encompassing a significant marine area in addition to the island itself. From Drake Bay, you can reach it in at least an hour by boat, usually as part of a guided snorkeling or diving tour. Visitor numbers are limited per day, diving is only permitted in buoy-marked areas, and overnight stays on the island are not allowed. Along a short trail, you can see pre-Columbian stone spheres.
A beach about six kilometers south of Agujitas, which you reach via the coastal path in about two and a half hours each way. Along the way, you cross the Río Claro, on foot at low tide, otherwise by small boat. Offshore rocks form a calm bay for snorkeling. There are no facilities, take enough water, and plan your return before dark.
The wildlife sanctuary, established in 1997, covers a good three square kilometers of coastal forest between Drake Bay and Playa San Josecito and is managed by the conservation authority SINAC. The coastal path from Agujitas southwards leads through the protected area; at the mouth of the Río Claro, crossing depends on the tides.
A Village at the End of the RoadAgujitas is a small village where tourism, fishing, and agriculture shape daily life. Many guides are from the region and have known Corcovado for years. There are only a few restaurants; many guests eat at their accommodation. In the village's Sodas, you'll find local dishes and fresh fish.Living by BoatBecause the bay has no pier, boats land directly on the beach. Expect to get knee-deep wet when getting on and off, and pack your luggage accordingly. Tours usually start early in the morning, and the daily rhythm is dictated by light and tides.
Arrival and getting around in Drake Bay
Getting ThereThe usual way is by boat from Sierpe: The journey takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, first through mangrove channels on the Río Sierpe, then along the coast. Boats depart daily at fixed times, payment is usually cash, and Sierpe has guarded parking for rental cars. Alternatively, Sansa flies from San José to Drake Bay in about 45 minutes. The road to Agujitas is only passable with a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance and is difficult during the rainy season.Getting AroundIn Drake Bay, you mostly get around on foot. For tours, operators usually pick you up by boat at the beach; for shorter distances in town, you can ask for a shared taxi. The coastal path south starts at the suspension bridge over the Río Agujitas.
