By Air
Two local airlines fly direct flights from San Jose to Drake Bay
The flight lasts approximately one hour or less.
The flight lasts approximately one hour or less.
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Once you arrive in Drake Bay the airport is a 20 minute taxi ride to Casa Horizontes. Ask any of the taxi drivers to take you there ("Puede usted llevarme a Casa Horizontes?"), at a cost of approximately $15USD per person.
The taxi driver will drop you off at the school. If you phone us ahead (506) 2775 1348 we will meet you or you can walk up the hill, past the first house on your left, pass through our gardens, and you will find Casa Horizontes at the very top of the hill. Once you have arrived you will appreciate the fresher air that staying on a shady hilltop offers you, nestled in the only remaining farmstead in Drake Bay.
The taxi driver will drop you off at the school. If you phone us ahead (506) 2775 1348 we will meet you or you can walk up the hill, past the first house on your left, pass through our gardens, and you will find Casa Horizontes at the very top of the hill. Once you have arrived you will appreciate the fresher air that staying on a shady hilltop offers you, nestled in the only remaining farmstead in Drake Bay.
By Car
There are two main routes to drive to Sierpe and one from Sierpe to Drake Bay. The fastest route is the new Highway to Sun along the coast and the most interesting is the traditional Pan American Highway through the Talamanca Mountains.
Highway to the Sun
From San Jose, take Highway 27 from near La Sabana and the National Stadium to the coast, also called The Highway To The Sun or "Auto Pista del Sol". As you drive towards the coast, just past Orotina, turn left (south) on the coastal highway called the "Costenera", Highway 34. Continue on this road all the way to Palma Norte. At Palma Norte turn right over the Terreba River Bridge, then right again through Palma Sur on Highway 223 to Sierpe, about 15 minutes. Go to the far end of the village by the river to Oleaje Sirena Restaurant and ask Jorge about parking and water taxis. You need to arrive at least one hour before the 11:30 am or 3:30 pm departures. The drive from San Jose to Sierpe, overall, is about six hours.
Traditional Route Pan American Hwy South
From San Jose, take the Pan American Highway/Route 2 South turning right before Cartago towards San Isidro de General which will take you over the Talamanca Mountains, through the Cloud Forest and above timberline, a spectacular and often wet drive. Stop at the top to eat. As you drop down into the tropics turn right just before you enter San Isidro towards Dominical, Highway 243. If you want to break up your trip into two reasonable days allowing for stops for scenery etc., stop for lunch or overnight here in San Isidro, an economic non tourist town, surrounded by mountains (eg Mi Kaffe along the shortcut north of town or Sabores Restaurant and Hotel San Isidro are both three kilometers south of town). This allows for a reasonable departure both mornings and you will be early enough to catch the 11:30 am boat, which makes for a calmer ride in the boat. At the coast turn left on the Coastenera Highway to Palmar Norte. This is the prettiest part of the coastal highway.
From Palma Norte to Drake Bay - 4 wheel drive only and alway check with Casa Horizontes first,
(506 2775 1348) especially during the Rainy Season, from May until December, when many times the road is impassable. You can always park your car at Sierpe and travel the rest of the way by Public Boats.
When you get to Palma Norte you carry on over the Terraba River south on the Pan American Highway towards Panama to a turn off at Highway 245 at Chacarita (which is no more than a gas station, and the last gas station) following the signs towards Puerta Jimenez. You are now in the Osa Penninsula on a mostly paved highway with occasional treacherous pot holes, be careful driving, including watching out for logging trucks. It's a hilly drive towards the Golfo Dulce. Shortly after you drop to sea level at Rincon, just before a new concrete bridge and across the street from Montana Rio Restaurant turn right, leaving the pavement behind on the road to Drake Bay. There will be small signs for Drake Bay. If you reach La Palma, you have gone too far. You will pass a small village Vanegas and go up and down a mountain ridge towards the village Rancho Quemado and up over another ridge higher and drop down towards Drake Bay. This is a winding occasionally single lane road, fording several streams and when it rains it is serious 4 wheel drive up and down the two ridges. Drive slow, watch for trucks and motorcycles. There are no shoulders. As you drop back to sea level you will pass a small village called Progreso where the Drake Bay Airport is. Right there you will have to ford the Drake River which can be a challenge. Usually an arc downstream is better than straight across. If you are unsure, wait for a car to follow, or walk across first. After a small rise you will see Drake Bay. Drive all the way through the village, stopping for supplies if you wish, until you reach the beach, turn left and in 150 meters is our driveway, just between the school soccer field and the school. Temporary parking there is fine. Call us (506 2775 1348) to meet you or walk up the driveway, past the first house and through our gardens to Casa Horizontes and a warm welcome. Unfortunately our driveway is narrow and there is little space above for parking but our view is tremendous and it is fresher and cooler than the village. Long term parking is available in another 100 meters, we will help you arrange this at check in.
Chacarita to Drake Bay is about two hours, depending... and from San Jose that makes it about eight hours total which can be broken up into two days, staying economically in San Isidro, a non tourist town with cool evenings, and surrounded by mountains
Highway to the Sun
From San Jose, take Highway 27 from near La Sabana and the National Stadium to the coast, also called The Highway To The Sun or "Auto Pista del Sol". As you drive towards the coast, just past Orotina, turn left (south) on the coastal highway called the "Costenera", Highway 34. Continue on this road all the way to Palma Norte. At Palma Norte turn right over the Terreba River Bridge, then right again through Palma Sur on Highway 223 to Sierpe, about 15 minutes. Go to the far end of the village by the river to Oleaje Sirena Restaurant and ask Jorge about parking and water taxis. You need to arrive at least one hour before the 11:30 am or 3:30 pm departures. The drive from San Jose to Sierpe, overall, is about six hours.
Traditional Route Pan American Hwy South
From San Jose, take the Pan American Highway/Route 2 South turning right before Cartago towards San Isidro de General which will take you over the Talamanca Mountains, through the Cloud Forest and above timberline, a spectacular and often wet drive. Stop at the top to eat. As you drop down into the tropics turn right just before you enter San Isidro towards Dominical, Highway 243. If you want to break up your trip into two reasonable days allowing for stops for scenery etc., stop for lunch or overnight here in San Isidro, an economic non tourist town, surrounded by mountains (eg Mi Kaffe along the shortcut north of town or Sabores Restaurant and Hotel San Isidro are both three kilometers south of town). This allows for a reasonable departure both mornings and you will be early enough to catch the 11:30 am boat, which makes for a calmer ride in the boat. At the coast turn left on the Coastenera Highway to Palmar Norte. This is the prettiest part of the coastal highway.
From Palma Norte to Drake Bay - 4 wheel drive only and alway check with Casa Horizontes first,
(506 2775 1348) especially during the Rainy Season, from May until December, when many times the road is impassable. You can always park your car at Sierpe and travel the rest of the way by Public Boats.
When you get to Palma Norte you carry on over the Terraba River south on the Pan American Highway towards Panama to a turn off at Highway 245 at Chacarita (which is no more than a gas station, and the last gas station) following the signs towards Puerta Jimenez. You are now in the Osa Penninsula on a mostly paved highway with occasional treacherous pot holes, be careful driving, including watching out for logging trucks. It's a hilly drive towards the Golfo Dulce. Shortly after you drop to sea level at Rincon, just before a new concrete bridge and across the street from Montana Rio Restaurant turn right, leaving the pavement behind on the road to Drake Bay. There will be small signs for Drake Bay. If you reach La Palma, you have gone too far. You will pass a small village Vanegas and go up and down a mountain ridge towards the village Rancho Quemado and up over another ridge higher and drop down towards Drake Bay. This is a winding occasionally single lane road, fording several streams and when it rains it is serious 4 wheel drive up and down the two ridges. Drive slow, watch for trucks and motorcycles. There are no shoulders. As you drop back to sea level you will pass a small village called Progreso where the Drake Bay Airport is. Right there you will have to ford the Drake River which can be a challenge. Usually an arc downstream is better than straight across. If you are unsure, wait for a car to follow, or walk across first. After a small rise you will see Drake Bay. Drive all the way through the village, stopping for supplies if you wish, until you reach the beach, turn left and in 150 meters is our driveway, just between the school soccer field and the school. Temporary parking there is fine. Call us (506 2775 1348) to meet you or walk up the driveway, past the first house and through our gardens to Casa Horizontes and a warm welcome. Unfortunately our driveway is narrow and there is little space above for parking but our view is tremendous and it is fresher and cooler than the village. Long term parking is available in another 100 meters, we will help you arrange this at check in.
Chacarita to Drake Bay is about two hours, depending... and from San Jose that makes it about eight hours total which can be broken up into two days, staying economically in San Isidro, a non tourist town with cool evenings, and surrounded by mountains
By Bus and Public Boats
The basic route is the following: Bus from San Jose to Palmar Norte, Taxi or bus from Palmar Norte to Sierpe, public boats from Sierpe to the beach at Drake Bay.
Bus to Palmar Norte
The bus is operated by the TRACOPA bus company, whose station is located in the old bus station in neighborhood. Ask any taxi driver in San Jose to take you the "Parada" (bus station) TRACOPA and they will know where to go. At the bus station buy a ticket to Palmar Norte. The trip takes 5-6 hours and costs about $15USD. We recommend catching the 5am, 7am or 8:30am buses in order to get to Sierpe on time to catch the 11:30 am or 3:30 pm boats to Drake Bay. However, you should check the bus schedule before planning as it may change.
If you want to spend a night on the way, we recommend Palma Norte as it is much cooler and more economic than Sierpe. The best bet is to stay at the Red Cross Cabinas next to the ambulance. Eat at least once at Diquis Restaurant. Both are within three blocks of the Bus Station.
Bus to Sierpe
This option less efficient, but available and you can ask at the bus station for directions.
Taxi to Sierpe
Once you arrive in Palmar Norte, there will be taxi drivers "collectivo" at the bus station offering to take you to Sierpe.
Oleaje Sirena Restaurant in Sierpe, where the public boats leave from. If you have questions, talk to Jorge, the owner.
Public Boats to Drake Bay
If you let us know your arrival time at Sierpe, (506) 2775 1348, we can make reservations to hold a seat for you in one of the boats. There is no extra charge for the reservation and it will ensure your space on a boat, and recommended for groups and large families. Reservations are NOT required, don't worry, you can always get a ride, even at the last minute, without a reservation.
There are two Public Boats "Lancha de Drake" departure times from Sierpe to Drake Bay. The 11:30am boats cost $15USD, and the 3:30pm boats cost $20USD. It's good to arrive one hour early if you would like time for good coffee and food, however 30 minutes early is plenty and the boat never leaves early. You will pay the captain once you have arrived at your destination. It's important to get a captain that goes directly to Drake Bay only, for example, "Alex". The boat ride is very exhilarating through the NATURAL RESERVE SIERPE-TERRABA, taking you down the longest river in Central America, through a mangrove estuary, then out into the Pacific Ocean, dropping you off on the beach in Drake Bay after about one hour and fifteen minutes.
If you phone us ahead (506) 2775 1348 (the boat captain will call for you) we can come and pick you up. It's better to wear shorts and sandals since beach arrival means getting your feet wet.
Bus to Palmar Norte
The bus is operated by the TRACOPA bus company, whose station is located in the old bus station in neighborhood. Ask any taxi driver in San Jose to take you the "Parada" (bus station) TRACOPA and they will know where to go. At the bus station buy a ticket to Palmar Norte. The trip takes 5-6 hours and costs about $15USD. We recommend catching the 5am, 7am or 8:30am buses in order to get to Sierpe on time to catch the 11:30 am or 3:30 pm boats to Drake Bay. However, you should check the bus schedule before planning as it may change.
If you want to spend a night on the way, we recommend Palma Norte as it is much cooler and more economic than Sierpe. The best bet is to stay at the Red Cross Cabinas next to the ambulance. Eat at least once at Diquis Restaurant. Both are within three blocks of the Bus Station.
Bus to Sierpe
This option less efficient, but available and you can ask at the bus station for directions.
Taxi to Sierpe
Once you arrive in Palmar Norte, there will be taxi drivers "collectivo" at the bus station offering to take you to Sierpe.
Oleaje Sirena Restaurant in Sierpe, where the public boats leave from. If you have questions, talk to Jorge, the owner.
Public Boats to Drake Bay
If you let us know your arrival time at Sierpe, (506) 2775 1348, we can make reservations to hold a seat for you in one of the boats. There is no extra charge for the reservation and it will ensure your space on a boat, and recommended for groups and large families. Reservations are NOT required, don't worry, you can always get a ride, even at the last minute, without a reservation.
There are two Public Boats "Lancha de Drake" departure times from Sierpe to Drake Bay. The 11:30am boats cost $15USD, and the 3:30pm boats cost $20USD. It's good to arrive one hour early if you would like time for good coffee and food, however 30 minutes early is plenty and the boat never leaves early. You will pay the captain once you have arrived at your destination. It's important to get a captain that goes directly to Drake Bay only, for example, "Alex". The boat ride is very exhilarating through the NATURAL RESERVE SIERPE-TERRABA, taking you down the longest river in Central America, through a mangrove estuary, then out into the Pacific Ocean, dropping you off on the beach in Drake Bay after about one hour and fifteen minutes.
If you phone us ahead (506) 2775 1348 (the boat captain will call for you) we can come and pick you up. It's better to wear shorts and sandals since beach arrival means getting your feet wet.
