Short and sweet answers to all your Drake Bay questions.
What is the best time of year to visit Drake Bay?
Any time except October. During peak rainy season (Oct), the Corcovado National Park is closed for maintenance and many Ecolodges are closed.
July 15-September = humpback whale season. This is a fantastic time to have magical whale experiences on your way to Cano Island, a whale watching tour, or even on the Drake Bay Boat Shuttle!
Dec-April = peak season. During peak season you need to make sure that you book your tours and accommodation far in advance! For dates around Christmas and New Years, you should book at least 7 months in advance to ensure your hotel preference, tours and boat shuttle!
Every other season = green shoulder season. This is a good time to come to avoid crowds and enjoy slightly lower temperatures that come with the night time rains.
What is the currency and are there ATMs in Drake Bay?
There are no ATMs in Drake Bay! Be prepared with any cash you may need for taxis, tips, and other purchases before leaving Palmar Norte. The last ATM is in Palmar Norte. There is no ATM in Sierpe either. Vendors accept dollars and Colones in Drake Bay.
Is there internet and phone service in Drake Bay?
There is Kolbi phone signal and many establishments have internet. There are frequent power outages in Drake which sometimes cuts access to signal. If you need to stay somewhere with very reliable signal, you may want to choose a lodge that uses Starlink instead like The Jaguars Jungle Lodge.
What dining options are available in Drake Bay?
Dining in Drake Bay is not a gourmet experience. Expect typical rice and bean casados and fried food. Stay away from anyone selling their version of a "burrito or taco." Expect the restaurant prices in Drake Bay to be higher as food prices are much higher here. If vegetarian options and delectable food is important to you, consider staying at an inclusive ecolodge with a reputation for good food like Copa de Arbol, The Jaguars Jungle, Drake Bay Greenleaf, etc.
Are there any health or safety concerns in Drake Bay?
The water in Drake Bay is not potable. You will need to buy bottled water. Typically the remote higher tier jungle lodges have their own water filtration systems.
Don't leave things unattended just like anywhere else in Costa Rica. Although if you are staying at a remote lodge in the Caletas or Corcovado Sector this is much less of a concern.
What activities and tours are available in Drake Bay?
The most popular tours from Drake Bay are of course:
Corcovado National Park
Cano Island Snorkeling
Cano Island Scuba Diving
Waterfall tours
Whale watching (during whale season)
Night tours
Many ecolodges offer unique tours like sea kayaking, horseback riding, birdwatching, farm tours, fishing, ropes courses, and more.
Is Drake Bay family-friendly?
You can certainly bring your family to Drake Bay, however for the best experience, we recommend staying at an inclusive ecolodge to take the stress off of having to plan and get to restaurants for meals, deal with taxis, different tour operators, the public, etc. Inclusive eco lodges take care of all logistics so that you can focus more on your quality time as a family.
What are the costs associated with a trip to Drake Bay?
When planning a trip to Drake Bay or the surrounding area, you should account for the following costs:
Accommodation
Food - weather you're eating at a restaurant or buying it and cooking on your own, expect prices to be slightly higher than the rest of the country
Boat Shuttle to and from Drake Bay from Sierpe
Taxis around Drake Bay ($20 per person from the airport to the beach.)
Tours (you should do as many activities as possible to experience this amazing area)
Tip for your tour leader/ guide (anywhere from $10+) per half day tour
Last minute things like fresh coconuts, bar drinks, snacks, etc.
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