Hike In The Pristine Primary Jungle of Costa Rica!
If you want to see monkeys in their natural habitat, hike in a wild jungle, and watch toucans fly over your hotel room, then Drake Bay, Costa Rica, is your next vacation spot.
Getting to Corcovado
There are many ways to get from Corcovado. However, flying is the fastest. From the States, I flew to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. After arriving, I stayed one night in San Jose, then hopped on a tiny Cessna plane to Drake Bay. The 50-minute flight from San Jose to Drake Bay was exhilarating and had breathtaking views of the jungle and beach. Sensa offers multiple flights from San Jose to Drake Bay daily so finding a flight is easy.
Hotels
From fancy ecolodges to laid-back hostels, there’s lots of options in Drake Bay. I stayed at the Drake Bay Greenleaf Hotel. We booked this hotel about three months in advance as it only has four guest rooms and is a very popular choice. This hotel offers all-inclusive packages that caters to its guests, giving you a personalized experience. The owner and chef, Helen, cooked three homemade meals for us everyday, customized to our dietary preferences. The Ceviche was delicious! The rooms are modern, large, and (most importantly) have AC. The porch was a great place to watch toucans and listen to all the sounds of the jungle. Drake Bay Greenleaf also offered (free) transportation to and from the airport, arranged all our daily excursions, and (best of all) did our laundry for free. Talk about a true vacation.
Hiking Excursions
The best excursion was hiking in the Corcovado National Park. This part of the jungle is largely untouched by humans and a great way to see animals in their natural habitat. However, you must get tickets in advance and schedule a tour with a guide who knows the area. While this hike takes a little planning, it’s worth it!
In the Corcovado National Park, we saw three different types of monkeys, an anteater, Toucans, Tapirs, Sloths, and many Coatis and iguanas on the Sirena Hiking Tour and San Pedrillo Hiking tour. In case you don’t know what a Coati is, it’s a playful animal that looks like a mix between a cat and a raccoon. Adorable, right?
For those of you not afraid of the dark, try a guided night hike! From snakes to owls and tarantulas, all the creepy crawling things come out at night as you explore the dark side of the jungle. Just be sure to bring your headlamp and watch where you step!
If you are planning to hike in the Corcovado jungle, be sure to look up the restrictions of what is allowed in the park and plan your trip in advance. Also, jungle hiking is hot! Be sure to wear lightweight clothes that will protect you from insects and the sun.
On The Water
Drake Bay also offers many water activities. The Cano Island Snorkeling Tour and Mangroves Tour were two of my favorite water activities. I was fortunate enough to see some sloths hanging from trees in the mangroves tour and a humpback whale (and her baby) from the boat during our snorkeling trip. One big advantage to booking a guided tour is tour guides can easily spot hidden animals and follow the rules governed by Costa Rica that protect the animals.
A Great Place To Just Relax
Afternoons in Costa Rica are for relaxing as that’s generally the hottest part of the day. Most of the activities we did in Drake Bay started early (5:30 AM to 6:00 AM) so I took full advantage of the afternoons to walk to the beach or sit on the balcony and watch the birds. Some of my favorite pictures are from the hotel’s balcony.
Other things to consider when traveling to Costa Rica:
– Consider getting travel insurance in case of an emergency.
– See a travel doctor before your trip to ensure you are up-to-date with all recommended vaccines.
– Pack lots of bug spray and sunscreen. It’s going to be hot and humid.
– Bring a hat!
– Pack lightly if traveling by plane as some of the smaller planes have weight limitations.
A 3- Day Sample Itinerary for Costa Rica
| Day 1 | |
| 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM | Hike with a guide in the Corcovado National Park |
| 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Rest/relax at the hotel |
| 4:00 PM- 5:00 PM | Explore the beach |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner at the hotel |
| Day 2 | |
| 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Try snorkeling with the Cano Island Snorkeling tour |
| 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Rest/relax at the hotel |
| 3:00- 5:00 PM | Explore the little town of Drake Bay |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner at the hotel |
| Day 3 | |
| 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Explore the Mangroves via a boat tour |
| 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Rest/relax at the hotel |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner at the hotel |
| 9:00 PM | Take a guided night hike tour |