How to Get From San Jose to Drake Bay
Minivan + Boat · Bus + Boat · Flight · Private Transport + Boat
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Getting from Drake Bay to Corcovado National Park
Drake Bay is one of two common jump-off points when visiting Corcovado National Park. From here, you’ll have access to two of Corcovado’s entry points: San Pedrillo and Sirena. Both ranger stations can be reached by boat.- 30-minute boat to San Pedrillo
- 1.5-hour boat to Sirena
What are the 4 ways to travel from San Jose to Drake Bay?
There are four ways to travel the 370 km distance from San Jose to Drake Bay. You can choose between the minivan, bus, flight, and private.
The journey takes between 2h 10m–7h and the quickest way is by flight (2h 10m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 16,000 CRC ($35).
5h 30m - 6h 30m
45,000 CRC ($100)
7h - 7h 30m
16,000 CRC ($35)
2h 10m
87,000 CRC ($190)
5h 20m - 5h 30m
158,000 CRC ($350)
Where to stay in Drake Bay?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Drake Bay at the bottom of this page.
Or, before you go
More routes from San Jose
Still planning your way to Drake Bay? Explore other routes from San Jose — 10 researched options.
San Jose to Drake Bay by Minivan + Boat
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 45,000 CRC ($100).
Step 1: Minivan from San Jose to Sierpe
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 36,000 CRC ($80) for the journey that takes around 4h 30m - 5h 30m.
You can book your minivan tickets online via BookAway.Ready to book your minivan?
Booking Tip
- 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 9,000 CRC ($20) 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 4,520 CRC ($10) per car.
Step 2: Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay
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.
Travel time by boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay takes around 1h. A ticket costs 9,000 CRC ($20).
San Jose to Drake Bay by Bus + Boat
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 16,000 CRC ($35) for the 7 to 9-hour bus journey.Step 1: Bus from San Jose to Sierpe
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 6,800 CRC ($15). You can buy your tickets at the bus station.
Booking Tip
Step 2: Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay
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 9,000 CRC ($20) per person.
San Jose to Drake Bay by Flight
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 87,000 CRC ($190), the flight will take away the opportunity of taking an exciting boat ride from Sierpe to Drake Bay.
Step 1: How to get to San Jose Airport
You can get from San Jose city centre to San Jose Airport in two ways: via a 1-hour bus that costs 745 CRC ($1.60) or a 30-minute taxi with rates from 14,000 CRC ($31).
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.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
Sansa Regional and World Ticket offer direct flights from San Jose to Drake Bay daily. The journey takes around 50 minutes.
Airfares start from 81,000 CRC ($180) when you book months ahead. Check Skyscanner in advance for the cheapest fares!
Step 3: Shuttle from Drake Bay Airport to Town Centre
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 4,520 CRC ($10) per person.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
San Jose to Drake Bay by Private Transport + Boat
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 158,000 CRC ($350).
Step 1: Private transport from San Jose to Sierpe
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 149,000 CRC ($330) for a 6-seater car. That's 25,000 CRC ($55) when you split the cost.
The journey takes about 4h 20m - 4h 30m.
Ready to book your private transport?
Step 2: Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay
Boats depart at 11:30 and 15:30 daily, so time your departure from San Jose accordingly. Tickets cost around 9,000 CRC ($20) per person.
Our favourite places to stay in Drake Bay
Here are our favourite places to stay in Drake Bay for every budget.
Treat YourselfLas 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 per night
Treat YourselfHotel 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 per night
Mid-RangeHotel 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 per night
BudgetCasita 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 per night
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Jose to Drake Bay. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance from San Jose to Drake Bay is 370 km.
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.
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About the Authors
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.
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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.
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