FAQs — Complete List

The public boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay departs twice a day, at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM; the journey takes approximately 1 hour and costs US$20 per person (₡8,000 for Costa Rican nationals). Payment is made in cash only (USD or CRC) directly to the captain, and we recommend being at the pier at least 30 minutes in advance. If you let us know your preferred departure time, we will be happy to reserve your seats: upon arrival, simply tell the captain the name of our hotel — Corcovado & Drake Inn — and he will show you which boat to board. In the opposite direction, from Drake to Sierpe, the boats depart at 7:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

The hotel is about 650 m from the main beach (Playa Colorada), uphill: you can walk up the gravel road or take a taxi. If you are travelling with wheeled suitcases, we strongly recommend the taxi — pulling them up the hill is extremely difficult. The taxi costs ₡3,000 or US$7 per journey and is paid directly to the driver in cash (colones or dollars). Please let us know at least one day in advance if you would like us to arrange the transport from the beach to the hotel.

Yes, it is a very common and highly recommended practice. In Sierpe there are private, safe and supervised car parks next to the pier, where you can leave your vehicle while visiting Drake Bay. The most recommended options are the car park of Restaurante y Embarcadero Don Jorge (private and enclosed, right next to where the boats depart), the covered and supervised private lot in front of Restaurante Las Vegas, and the secure parking service of La Perla del Sur. That way you can enjoy the scenic boat ride along the Sierpe River and pick up your car on the way back.

Yes, we offer a free luggage storage service at the reception on the day of your departure, and for one night during tours that include an overnight stay away, provided you return to the hotel (subject to availability).

Please note that luggage is stored at the guest’s sole responsibility. The reception area is not insured for stored items, so the hotel accepts no liability for loss or damage. We recommend that you always keep your valuables, documents and electronic equipment with you.

• Mosquito repellent and sunscreen (ideally biodegradable / reef-safe).
• Flip-flops or sandals with good grip, and closed shoes for hikes.
• Water shoes (wet shoes): highly recommended for beach landings — for example, when arriving by boat at Corcovado National Park there are sharp rocks.
• Light, quick-drying clothing and a rain jacket or poncho.
• A flashlight or headlamp (useful for night tours and early departures).
• A reusable bottle: at the hotel you can refill it with filtered water free of charge. Single-use plastic bottles are not allowed inside Corcovado National Park.
• Enough cash (colones and dollars in small bills): there are no banks or ATMs in Drake Bay; the nearest ones are in Palmar Norte or Sierpe.
• Binoculars and a dry bag to protect your electronics.

• Respect SANSA’s baggage allowance: one personal carry-on item of max. 10 lb / 4.5 kg (30 × 50 × 20 cm) and checked baggage of 30–40 lb / 13.6–18 kg depending on the fare type (Regular or Full; max. dimensions 76 × 46 × 34 cm).
• Check the exact limits of your fare in your flight confirmation (Flight Rules section) or on the SANSA website; excess baggage is charged separately.
• Choose soft bags or backpacks: they fit better in the light aircraft.
• Keep your documents, medication and valuables in your carry-on luggage.
• If you need to bring more luggage, ask us: we can advise you on excess baggage or shipping options.

• Arrival in Drake is a “wet landing”: you disembark on the beach, so wear sandals and shorts or trousers you can roll up.
• Protect your electronics and documents in a dry bag or plastic bags: your luggage may get splashed.
• Choose soft, waterproof luggage or use a luggage cover.
• Bring sunscreen and a cap: part of the journey is in the open air.

• A high-clearance 4×4 vehicle: the route includes gravel roads and river crossings.
• A full tank: fill up before entering the peninsula. The last two petrol stations on the route are in Chacarita (approx. 2 hours before reaching Drake) and in La Palma (approx. 1 hour before).
• Cash for tolls, the ferry or unforeseen expenses, plus water and snacks for the journey.
• Leave early so you can drive in daylight, and check the condition of the rivers during the rainy season.
• Driving at night on the last stretch of the route is not recommended. The road is unpaved and poorly lit.

We follow an eco-friendly housekeeping approach to reduce the consumption of water, energy and detergents. Light housekeeping is available upon request and includes trash removal, towel replacement (if towels are left on the floor) and refilling of amenities. Full cleaning with a change of bed linen is also available upon request at the reception before 10:00 AM of the previous day. In addition, the trash bins in the rooms are emptied every two days, even if no cleaning is requested.

Yes, all rooms include bath towels. For the pool, you can request pool towels at the reception free of charge. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to take hotel towels to the beach or on tours; we recommend bringing a lightweight travel towel for those activities.

Yes. Our laundry service costs US$6 per kilogram (VAT included; the price is calculated based on the dry weight of the laundry, after washing and drying). Hand in your laundry at the reception; we will let you know as soon as it is ready, and payment is made directly at the reception. The standard turnaround time is 24 hours, although we usually return it sooner: if you hand in your laundry in the morning before 9:00 AM, you will normally receive it clean the same afternoon (approx. 5 hours, subject to the day’s workload). Daily capacity is limited, so we recommend requesting the service in advance.

Yes. Parking is free of charge in the low season and costs US$5 per vehicle per night (VAT included) in the mid and high seasons. Spaces are limited, so we strongly recommend reserving your spot in advance.

Yes, all our rooms have air conditioning, with one single exception: the 3-bedroom apartment, which is equipped with fans. As part of our environmental commitment, we kindly ask guests to switch off the air conditioning when leaving the room.

We do not recommend drinking the tap water. Instead, we offer a free filtered-water station at the entrance of the reception where you can refill your bottles, and we also sell bottled water at the reception. We encourage you to bring a reusable bottle and support our effort to reduce single-use plastics.

At our Corcovado Tropical Garden casitas (Los Planes), the tap water is not suitable for drinking either. Guests will find drinking water in the main house (Casa Grande), in a 20-litre dispenser where they can refill their bottles; alternatively, they can buy bottled water or boil the tap water before drinking it.

The Drake Trail is a coastal hike of about 8 km connecting Agujitas de Drake with Playa San Josecito, passing several beaches such as Cocalito and Las Caletas. It takes about 4 hours to complete, plus time for swimming and photos. It is an easy route in good weather, but there are no services along the way: bring enough water, some food and sunscreen, and download an offline map, as mobile signal is limited. A popular plan is to take a taxi to San Josecito (approx. US$40) and walk back towards the village. At the reception we will be happy to advise you on the condition of the trail and the tides.

The pool is open every day from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM. From 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM we ask guests to keep the noise down (quiet hours). Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult. The pool may close briefly once a week for maintenance, usually early in the morning.

In the village of Drake (Agujitas) there is a basic public clinic (EBAIS) for primary care, run by the Osa Health Area. It sees patients by appointment (early in-person booking or via the EDUS app), normally Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Friday until 1:30 p.m.; opening hours may vary due to the remote location. For emergencies outside these hours, private medical care is available 24/7 in the area: Dr. Marita Loayza, tel. +506 6251-2776. For more serious cases, the reference hospital is Tomás Casas Hospital in Ciudad Cortés. The national emergency number in Costa Rica is 911. Please note that there is no pharmacy in Drake: some basic over-the-counter medicines (such as acetaminophen/paracetamol or ibuprofen) can be found in the village supermarkets and mini-markets. At the hotel we have a first-aid kit, and at the reception we sell basic items such as insect repellent and sunscreen; for specific medical conditions, we recommend bringing your medication from home.

Costa Rica uses 110/120 V with type A and B plugs (the same as in the United States and Canada). Travellers from Europe will need an adapter. At the reception we have a number of adapters and chargers available for loan, provided against a refundable deposit of US$10.

Drake Bay is a year-round destination. The dry season (December–April) offers more sunshine and roads in better condition; the green season (May–November) brings the forest at its most splendid, with generally sunny mornings. Humpback whales are observed mainly from July to October — the main season — and also from December to March, when the northern-hemisphere populations arrive. Please note that the hotel closes during the month of October.

Yes. Drake Bay is a small, peaceful and very safe village, where nature tourism is at the heart of local life. The usual travel precautions apply: do not leave valuables unattended on the beach, and respect the sea — some beaches have strong currents, so ask us where it is safe to swim. On the trails, walk with proper footwear, enough water and, preferably, during daylight hours.

Yes. In the village of Drake Bay all Costa Rican operators work (Kölbi, Claro and Liberty); in the area in general, Kölbi offers the best coverage. Please note that inside Corcovado National Park there is no signal from any operator: only Sirena Station has a Wi-Fi point. At the hotel you can use our free Wi-Fi 24 hours a day, and for excursions and the Drake Trail we recommend downloading offline maps before setting out.

Costa Rica does not require mandatory vaccinations for most travellers; only travellers arriving from certain countries in South America or Africa are asked for a yellow fever certificate. We recommend keeping your routine vaccinations up to date, using insect repellent as a general precaution, and drinking filtered or bottled water. If in doubt, consult your travel doctor before departure.

Yes, many families visit us with small children. The pool is one of their favourite spots (children under 12 must be supervised by an adult), and for families we especially recommend the DLX rooms with balcony, which have a kitchenette and a washing machine — giving you much more independence when travelling. Please note that the DLX rooms have one King bed: small children can sleep with their parents. Babies under 2 stay free of charge sharing the bed, and children aged 2 to 11 receive a 50% discount on the room-only rate when using the existing beds. On our Instagram you can see a family with children aged 1 and 3 enjoying Drake and the Corcovado tour.

Yes. For families we offer the SUP Family Room and the QUAD rooms (up to 4 people), the studios with kitchenette (3–4 people) and a 3-bedroom apartment with kitchenette for up to 7 people — ideal for large families or groups of friends (the apartment is equipped with fans, without air conditioning). Write to us with the ages and size of your group and we will recommend the best combination of rooms.

Yes. We offer commissionable rates for travel agencies and tour operators, both for FIT clients and for groups, with clear booking policies, FOC rooms and conditions for guides and drivers. Write to us at info@drakecorcovado.com to receive our B2B rate sheet and the terms of cooperation.