Costa Rica is a bucket-list destination guaranteed to offer a lot to travelers. To talk about Costa Rica, Bahia Drake is one of the popular destinations to travel to.
An Overview
Stunning forests, cascading waterfalls and picturesque beaches – Bahia Drake welcomes you to its magnificent eco-touristic paradise. Are you an adventure junkie? Then, you would love to see the exuberant greenery in the forests, where the canopies and monkeys swing through trees and sloths make their way slowly.
When you are in one of the most beautiful destinations of Central America, Costa Rica, you cannot miss the stunning Bahia Drake and its exquisiteness. Although the place seems small, there are separate dissimilarities between coasts, towns, and mountains.
Many people don’t have months to offer to travel, but there are still ample amazing experiences you can have in a week. Even. Apart from the scenic beauty and culture, the foods are delicious. Experiencing their traditional foods such as Gallo Pinto, Casado, Tamal, Arroz con Leche, Sopa Negra (Black Bean Soup), and Olla de Carne would help you to give a tick to your wish list.
Best all-inclusive resorts
If you are travelling to Bahia Drake, you must be looking for the best resorts to stay in. Here are some popular resorts that you can take for reference:
La Paloma Lodge
La Paloma is the best option if you are looking for the best lodge in Bahia Drake. The place is quite amazing to stay at, surrounded by lush tropical jungle. This is situated on 14 private acres, only a short walk from the Agujitas River and secluded black sand beaches.
Casa Corcovado
If you wish to stay near Corcovado National Park, you can easily stay at Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge. This makes it a prime location for every travel buff who wishes to mix luxury, relaxation, and adventure.
Copa de Arbol
This all-inclusive eco-luxury beachfront resort is situated on 70 acres of private jungle. This features attractive cabins constructed from cypress, recycled teak, and Melina wood, as well as an onsite restaurant serving local seafood and cocktails. You can go local sightseeing from the resort.
Couple resorts
Bahia Drake is also known as a honeymoon destination, and that is why; the couple resorts have been quite popular there. Here are some of the famous resorts:
The Drake Bay Getaway Resort
When this is about choosing the romantic suite, you can undoubtedly go for this one. From romantic ambience to aesthetic décor, the lavish experience will leave you speechless. They also have a customized experience for each guest regarding services and meal preferences.
Casa Horizontes Corcovado
A romantic weekend is all about a good mood, romantic setting and a delicious meal. What if you get all these together in a hotel? Yes, it is possible when you book Casa Horizontes Corcovado. A stunning wooden building surrounded by a picturesque ocean view will take you to a dreamland. From free breakfast and hot shower to laundry service and tour with the best guide, you will have a stunning experience.
The Sunset Tucano Lodge
A family runs this resort, which is why; it is a plus point for every guest to stay over there. You will get warm hospitality. The property looks like a beautiful piece of paradise. It would help if you walked uphill to get there, and the trail cement gets slippery. If you wish to go to the beach, you must walk up and down. It takes about 10 minutes from the place.
Family Vacation
This is one of the perfect places for a family vacation. Getting around Drake is easy. You do not require a car once you get there since most local travel is done via boat. Your lodge or resort can assist you in arranging boat transportation for transfers and tours.
Aside from that, plenty of fancy and more remote lodges have everything you require onsite, so you will not have to leave much. While staying in town, restaurants, tours, and markets are all within walking distance.
Getaways
As one of the last remaining areas of Costa Rica still untouched by massive developments, vacationing in Drake Bay is one of the unique experiences. Along with hundreds of locals living in the main town of Agujitas, Drake Bay is one of the hidden gems.
One of the major attractions of this place is Corcovado National Park. The stunning wildlife viewing areas, which are the host of rare, beautiful, mysterious, colorful and endangered species, leave you speechless. Snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, horseback riding, and deep-sea fishing are only a few of the ways you will be able to immerse yourself in the tropical jungles of Drake Bay. You get to see plenty of pristine coastlines and rainforest trails to discover on your own or as part of a bilingual guided tour.
Group Getaway Locations
If you are a travel buff and, at the same time, an adventure junkie, then there are ample options lined up. From snorkeling to scuba diving, you can go for group getaways.
Snorkel Caño Island
Snorkeling at Caño Island is considered the best thing in Drake Bay! The Caño Island Biological Reserve is also a popular touristy for snorkeling in Costa Rica. Caño Island is home to a spectacular array of marine life along with the bluest virgin waters in this nation.
Go Scuba Diving
If you are scuba certified, then there is no point you miss scuba diving. Outstanding underwater visibility and thriving marine life rank Caño Island as one of the best dive sites in the world.
5 Things to Do
If you are at Bahia Drake, you will always look for the local sightseeing. Along with that, having some out-of-the-world experiences would be memorable for you.
Visit Corcovado National Park
Drake Bay is one of the best gateways to one of the most biologically diverse places in the world: Corcovado National Park. Most travel buffs have this name on their bucket list. To experience Costa Rica’s rare wildlife, such as scarlet macaws, tapirs, monkeys, and toucans, you must visit this place. The luckiest one can also see jaguars.
Though many people decide to stay for one night just to have this surreal experience, as per the experts, one must take proper precautions before staying overnight.
Stay at Corcovado National Park
Going for one day over Corcovado National Park is not enough, and you will surely look forward to having some amazing experiences over there at night. From moonlight gleam to wildlife species’ sound, nobody wishes to miss the opportunity. Instead of only one hike through the park and the overnight tour, one will surely get to go on three hikes.
Once the sun sets, the orange and pink hues in the sky give you a chance to witness some magic. The nocturnal creatures awake and you can hear their hums at night.
Explore Hidden Beaches
At Drake, there are plenty of hidden beaches to explore. When you wish to take a break from the trips and tours, you can sit beside the beach and relax with a favorite drink. You can easily spot wildlife and go at your own pace, and it’s free!
Along the way, you will be treated to a certain number of intimate and secluded bays and an opportunity to see some Capuchin monkeys. You can watch the beautiful sunset in the evening.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
Between mid-July and October, Drake Bay is the Humpback Whale playground. During all these months, the whales migrate to Drake Bay to breed and then easily give birth in the warm, tropical waters. You can be lucky enough to spot whales over there. Witnessing a large group of male whales chasing a female to breed with them is surreal.
The same period as the whale watching season is also one of the best times to see dolphins. A variety of dolphin species grace the water there, containing bottlenose, common, spotted and rough teeth. A dolphin and whale-watching tour will certainly be your once-in-a-lifetime experience in Drake Bay.
Float down the river in Rio Claro
Numbers of people love to do the floating tour. It has now become one of the very famous things over there. You essentially put on a life jacket, then sit back, relax, and let the river current take you down to the ocean. This is also very peaceful, calm, and incredibly fun to do as a group. Besides this being an extremely fun activity, you can have a chance to spot a variety of wildlife like sloths, lizards, monkeys and birds.
Best Places to Eat
Drake gives you a chance for a handful of good, modestly priced restaurants for those not dining at their hotel.
Casa Tortuga
If you want to try local cuisines at Drake, you can go for this one. They have a wide-ranging menu along with elaborate Casados and pasta dishes. From seafood to meat, you get a lot of tasty options to eat. One of the famous items is the Pescado entero, which is mainly a whole fried snapper served traditionally on a banana leaf.
Bahia Azul
This is best for their drinks. But along with that, you can also get different types of cuisines to try. Their Arroz con Camarones (rice with shrimp) is quite yummy. The budgets are reasonable for Drake Bay, so it can be one of the best options if you’re on a budget.
If you try out other popular restaurants, you will get fresh fruit smoothies, homemade bread and pastries, and rich coffee made the old-fashioned way.
What to Do On a Budget
Kayaking – Group kayaking would be a great option if you want to spend your holiday on a budget. Rio Aguilas can be a perfect option for going kayaking. The cold and blue waters allow you to fully take in the surrounding jungle and listen to the sound of the wildlife around you.
If you are a beginner, make sure you get help from a guide. They will teach you the proper techniques and methods of kayaking. Always make sure that you take all the precautions before going to do the adventure sport. You must go during high tide to have the full experience of it. Otherwise, the river becomes shallow, and your kayak gets dragged along the bottom. It will not be entertaining for you.
Canopy Adventures- When this is about having a different experience, you can go for a canopy adventure. You require getting amongst the trees. People who are lucky enough get to see the animals that have made the jungle canopy their home.
Besides that, scuba diving is also cheaper if you take the group option. Besides, taking a long walk in the jungle at night is an excellent option.
Best Time Of The Year To Visit
The dry season in Drake is from mid-December to April. At this time, the weather is the driest and warmest. Since the place is quite remote, very few people visit it, which is why; it is quiet and calm to enjoy the scenic beauty. You can spend a few days without any hesitation with your family.
The place gives everything from enjoying scenic beauty to experiencing different activities. But monsoon has its charm, which is why many people visit the place during monsoon as well. But if you ever decide to see the beauty of monsoon, then you must talk to the locals and travel agents. They are the best people to give you suggestions regarding this.
Is it safe?
Since Bahia Drake is surrounded by jungle and beaches, many people look for the answer to “whether it is safe to visit”. As per the locals and travel experts, it is extremely safe and secure with your family. You can come with your partner and friends too. You will not feel an issue in terms of security. But, whenever you visit local sightseeing, make sure that you contact a local chauffeur for you. Make sure to bring a water bottle, medicines, dry foods and a lot of sunscreens! Pay attention to beach safety as well.