How to Get From San Jose to Drake Bay

4Options

2h 10mFastest

$35From

Written by Ela · Reviewed by Maarten · Updated 2 weeks ago·

Minivan + Boat · Bus + Boat · Flight · Private Transport + Boat

View Map

Map showing route from San Jose to Drake Bay - 146 km

San Jose → Drake Bay146 km

Drake Bay is a remote outpost on the Osa Peninsula. It's the classic launch point for boat trips into Corcovado National Park. Flying is the quickest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay, taking 2h 10m. Overland, the bus and boat combination is the cheapest at $35 (16,000 CRC), though it makes for a long day.

Distance from San Jose to Drake Bay

San Jose and Drake Bay are about 146 km (91 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 308 km by road. The quickest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay is by taking the flight, which takes around 2h 10m.

~146 km

Distance

~308 km

Road distance

2h 10m

Fastest

COMPARE

4 ways to travel from San Jose to Drake Bay

There are four ways to travel from San Jose to Drake Bay. You can choose between the minivan, bus, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 2h 10m–7h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $35 (16,000 CRC).

TransportDurationPrice

Minivan + Boat3 companiesVia Sierpe5h 30m+from$10045,500 CRC

It is not possible to get from San Jose to Drake Bay completely by land. A popular way to travel this route is by a combined minivan shuttle and boat via Sierpe. On the upside, the boat ride is scenic and already an adventure on its own!

While the minivan is more expensive than the bus, it is a sure way to make it to the connecting boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay.

Travel time is around 5h 30m - 6h 30m, excluding the waiting time for the boat. Combined rates start from $100 (45,500 CRC).

Step 1: Minivan from San Jose to Sierpe

4h 30m - 5h 30m$80 (36,500 CRC)

Super Shuttle and Easy Ride offer minivans from San Jose to Sierpe. Both of them depart early morning from San Jose.

The minivan will pick you up from your hotel or from San Jose Airport and bring you to Sierpe's Restaurante Oleaje Sereno, a common meet-up place for tourists taking the ferry. It's located just beside La Perla del Sur, where you can buy your boat tickets to Drake Bay.

Minivan prices from San Jose to Sierpe start from $80 (36,500 CRC) for the journey that takes around 4h 30m - 5h 30m.

You can book your minivan tickets online via BookAway.

4h30mSuper Shuttle Costa RicaStandardSan Jose - Any hotelSierpe - Any hotel03:50$8036,500 CRCTickets

5h30mSuper Shuttle Costa RicaStandardSan Jose Airport (SJOSierpe - Any hotel04:30$8036,500 CRCTickets

4h30mEasy RideStandardSan Jose - Hotel ListSierpe - Hotel List03:50$8337,500 CRCTickets

5h30mEasy RideStandardSan Jose Airport (SJOSierpe - Any hotel04:30$8337,500 CRCTickets

Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.

Booking Tip

In Sierpe, there are two ferry docks for boats going to Drake Bay:

If you’re travelling on foot, go to La Perla del Sur. It’s a restaurant and travel agency where you can buy boat tickets to Drake Bay. A boat ticket costs $20 (9,100 CRC) per person.
If you’re taking a car with you, go to the River Ferry Terminal. Note that you can only take this option if you’re travelling in a 4×4 vehicle. After crossing the river, it’s still a long and rough road journey to Drake Bay. It costs about $10 (4,550 CRC) per car.

Step 2: Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay

1h$20 (9,100 CRC)

The boat is a scenic way to get from Sierpe to Drake Bay. This is why we recommend travelling by land (and sea) from San Jose to Drake Bay instead of taking a flight.

In the first 40 minutes of the boat ride, you will be travelling along Sierpe River, which is home to the largest mangrove forest in Latin America.

The ride may get a bit bumpy as your boat crosses the boundary from the river to the sea, but know that you are in the hands of veteran boat captains. After that, it should be a smooth ride again until you reach the picturesque shores of Drake Bay.

Book ahead if you can. The boats fill up, and most companies take a reservation over WhatsApp or online. You can also pay the captain on the day, but bring cash. There’s no ATM in Sierpe or Drake Bay, so draw money in Palmar Norte on the way.

You’ll be asked which hotel you’re staying at more than once, because the boats drop passengers all along the bay. And keep your ears open at the dock. Nobody announces departures, so remember who told you they’d be taking you.

Local operators say the two runs are organised differently, with companies competing for the morning boat while the afternoon is shared out among the local captains.

Travel time by boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay takes around 1h. A ticket costs $20 (9,100 CRC).

1hBoatSierpeDrake Bay11:3015:30$209,100 CRCNo Online Tickets

Drake Bay

Bus + Boat2 companiesVia Sierpe7h+from$3516,000 CRC

Travelling by bus from San Jose to Drake Bay is much cheaper than taking a minivan, but its travel time can be erratic and you run the risk of missing your connecting boat in Sierpe.

Combined bus and boat rates start from $35 (16,000 CRC) for the 7 to 9-hour bus journey.

Step 1: Bus from San Jose to Sierpe

6h - 6h 30m$15 (6,800 CRC)

Tracopa operates two daily bus trips from San Jose to Sierpe. The morning trip departs at 08:30 and the afternoon trip at 15:00. The morning bus is your best chance of making it to the connecting boat to Drake Bay on the same day.

There's a catch, though! The advertised travel time with the bus is around 6h - 6h 30m. But this can easily take 7 to 8 hours depending on traffic and the number of bus stops. This means that even if you take the morning bus, there's a chance that you won't make it in time for the last boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay.

A bus ticket costs around $15 (6,800 CRC). You can buy your tickets at the bus station.

6hTracopaSan JoseSierpe08:3015:00$156,800 CRCNo Online Tickets

Booking Tip

Buses depart from Tracopa Bus Station in San Jose city centre and arrive at Sierpe Park.

Step 2: Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay

1h$20 (9,100 CRC)

Boats from Sierpe to Drake Bay depart twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Considering the bus schedule though, you can only take the afternoon boat if you want to arrive in Drake Bay within the same day.

Tickets for the afternoon boat cost $20 (9,100 CRC) per person.

1hBoatSierpeDrake Bay11:3015:30$209,100 CRCNo Online Tickets

Drake Bay

FlightVia San Jose Airport2h 10mdoor to doorfrom$19087,000 CRC

The fastest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay is to take a flight. Travel time is only about 2h 10m, including airport transfers.

But aside from being expensive with combined rates from $190 (87,000 CRC), the flight will take away the opportunity of taking an exciting boat ride from Sierpe to Drake Bay.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Step 1: How to get to San Jose Airport

1 hour$1.60 (750 CRC)

You can get from San Jose city centre to San Jose Airport in two ways: via a 1-hour bus that costs $1.60 (750 CRC) or a 30-minute taxi with rates from $31 (14,000 CRC).

You will find the buses at TUASA Terminal every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00.

As for the taxis, you can hail them from the street or through the ride-hailing app Uber.

PRO TIP: Uber is still not 100% accepted in Costa Rica. Although it is widely used, there have been rare cases of Uber rides being stopped in the middle of the journey and passengers asked to transfer to a taxi. We recommend asking your hotel first whether it is safe to use it before booking your ride.

Step 2: Flight from San Jose to Drake Bay

50 minutes$180 (82,000 CRC)

Sansa Regional and World Ticket offer direct flights from San Jose to Drake Bay daily. The journey takes around 50 minutes.

Airfares start from $180 (82,000 CRC) when you book months ahead. Check Skyscanner in advance for the cheapest fares!

Check Flights with Skyscanner

Step 3: Shuttle from Drake Bay Airport to Town Centre

20 minutes$10 (4,550 CRC)

From Drake Bay Airport, you can take a shuttle to your hotel. This is normally pre-arranged through your hotel in Drake Bay. Let them know the carrier you’re flying with as well as your expected time of arrival at the airport.

A shuttle ticket costs $10 (4,550 CRC) per person.

Town Centre

Private Transport + Boat3 companiesVia Sierpe5h 20m+from$350160,000 CRC

Travelling in a big group? A combined private transfer + boat from San Jose to Drake Bay via Sierpe is a convenient choice.

For this option, you will take a private transfer from San Jose to Sierpe and then transfer to a public boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay.

Combined rates start from $350 (160,000 CRC).

Step 1: Private transport from San Jose to Sierpe

4h 20m - 4h 30m$330 (150,000 CRC)

A private transfer from San Jose to Sierpe can be cheaper than a minivan ride if you're in a group of 6 or more.

Rates start from $330 (150,000 CRC) for a 6-seater car. That's $55 (25,000 CRC) when you split the cost.

The journey takes about 4h 20m - 4h 30m.

Coach Costa Rica

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

$330 (150,000 CRC)

$55 (25,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Central Taxi Airport

SUV Car 4 PAX

$365 (166,000 CRC)

$91 (41,500 CRC) per person

Tickets

Costa 24/7

Standard Minivan 7 PAX

$385 (176,000 CRC)

$55 (25,000 CRC) per person

Tickets

Private transport tickets are available on Bookaway.

Step 2: Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay

1 hour$20 (9,100 CRC)

Heads up: Sirena station in Corcovado is running on reduced numbers until 1 December 2026. That means 100 visitors a day in August and September, and a full closure through October. If Sirena is the reason you’re heading to Drake Bay, book your park tickets before you book transport.

In Sierpe, ask to be dropped off at La Perla del Sur, where you can buy your boat tickets to Drake Bay.

Boats leave at 11:30 and mid-afternoon, usually between 15:30 and 16:00. Confirm the exact time when you book, because it shifts with the season and the operator. Either way, be at the dock 20 minutes early to check in. Tickets cost around $20 (9,100 CRC) per person.

Drake Bay

Reach out to our Community

No questions yet — be the first to ask about San Jose to Drake Bay.

Where to StayWhere we'd stay in Drake Bay4 places we've picked out, for every budget

STAY

Our favourite places to stay in Drake Bay

Here are our favourite places to stay in Drake Bay for every budget.

Treat Yourself

Las Caletas Lodge

If you’re looking for a secluded escape from the world, then Las Caletas Lodge is your place. The only ways to get to this hotel is by boat from Drake Bay, or a walk along the jungle path.

Not to worry, both your breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the room. It’s practically impossible to leave without having released some of your stress, as the lodge oozes peacefulness. Adding to that, only steps away you’ll find the perfectly blue ocean.

Secluded location in the jungle
Breakfast and dinner included
Steps from the sea
Helpful and friendly staff

Double rooms start from $90 (41,000 CRC) per night

Check availability

Treat Yourself

Hotel Finca Marensia

Hotel Finca Maresia is set slightly further back from the beach of Drake Bay. It’s surrounded by lush forest and greenery, where all you’ll be able to hear is the thriving wildlife.

There’s also an onsite bar and restaurant, so you won’t have to venture far for some delicious food or a refreshing drink. The cabin-style rooms with balconies, offer the perfect place to relax and admire the magnificent view. This place gets booked up in advance, so if you want to stay here, you better get booking!

Onsite restaurant and bar
Situated within the jungle
Breakfast included
Balconies with hammocks

Double rooms start from $90 (41,000 CRC) per night

Check availability

Mid-Range

Hotel Jacamar

Visiting Drake Bay and Corcovado is all about surrounding yourself in Costa Rica’s nature. Hotel Jacamar boasts the perfect balance between nature and luxury. Their flourishing gardens make you feel like you’re in the jungle, but their large and clean rooms create a space of comfort.

The staff are extremely hospitable, helping to organise your trip to Corcovado National Park. It’s location also makes it great for exploring the town.

Large and luxurious rooms
Beautiful gardens
Great location
Beach pick-up from arrival by boat available

Double rooms between $50-$90 (22,800-41,000 CRC) per night

Check availability

Budget

Casita Happy Feet and Tours

Entering Casita Happy Feet, you’ll feel as if you’re being welcomed into Javier and his wife’s home. Javier has been a guide in Corcovado National Park for over 25 years now. Having him as your guide, with his enthusiasm, knowledge and experience, you’re guaranteed an incredible visit!

Every morning, even the early ones, you’ll awake to a delicious and freshly cooked breakfast, perfect for your day of adventures. The rooms are clean and homely.

The best guide for Corcovado National Park
Delicious breakfast included
Great location
Beach pick-up from arrival by boat available

Double rooms between $15-$50 (6,800-22,800 CRC) per night

Check availability

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Drake Bay?

Drake Bay on the northern coast of Osa Peninsula is an unspoiled paradise looking out to the South Pacific Ocean.

This laidback town is a popular gateway to Corcovado National Park — an adventurer's paradise. It is said to hold 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and is home to a wide variety of animal species: tapirs, scarlet macaws, and jaguars are just some of them.

But Drake Bay is more than just a base camp, it's a destination on its own. Its beaches are often empty and the waves are calm. Swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, and even dolphin-watching are all popular activities in Drake Bay. Inland is just as exciting. You can go hiking, birdwatching, or mountain biking.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from San Jose to Drake Bay, roughly 146 kilometres (91 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $35 (16,000 CRC). The quickest trip takes 2h 10m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from San Jose to Drake Bay?

The distance from San Jose to Drake Bay is 146 kilometres (91 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay?

The fastest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay is by flight and takes 2h 10m.

What is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay?

The cheapest way to get from San Jose to Drake Bay is by bus with ticket costs starting from 16,000 CRC.

About the Authors

Ela

Senior Travel Writer

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

MaartenReviewer

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.

Affiliate Disclosure

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep Gecko Routes free and up to date.

How to Get From San Jose to Drake Bay

Distance from San Jose to Drake Bay