EL SOL
Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
More Information
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CAFENET EL SOL |
Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica |
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Drake Bay |
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Photography
courtesy of Charles Foerster |
General Information
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Believed to be a port used by Sir Francis Drake in the seventeenth century and location of one of the British pirate's fabled hidden treasures, Drake is one of the most remote and primal tourist destinations in Costa Rica. The town of Agujitas (Drake) has a population of about 1,000 residents, and tourism is the economic base of the community. Drake is not on the beaten track, and is a destination. It can be reached by highway only during the dry season. Boat service up the Sierpe River and air travel connect Drake to the rest of the world during the rainy season. There are miles and miles of beautiful coastline with rocky crags and sandy coves that extend from Agujitas Bay, where the village of Drake is located southward toward the boundary of Corcovado National Park about 12 miles to the south. Along this stretch of beach are located some of the most remote and spectacular ecolodges in Costa Rica. All of these all-inclusive destinations require boat transport, which is provided by the lodges for their guests. |
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Typical Drake travelers book package trips that include round trip airfare out of San Jose and several days at the all-inclusive lodge of their choice, where gourmet meals are included in the package. Most destinations offer a robust package of tour alternatives departing right from the hotel. For tours departing from other destinations, boat pickup is provided. Prices for these resorts beyond the end of the road range from a budget rate of $55 per person per day at Bahía Paraíso to as much as $400 per person per day at the incomparable La Paloma Lodge. In town lodges Ojalá and El Mirador have all-inclusive daily rates of $45 and $50 respectively.
Drake is best enjoyed with reservations in advance. Nearly all inclusive lodges offer multiple day packages including transport and tours. Since communications are still primitive, and many destinations cannot even be reached except by boat or on foot, Drake is a notoriously awkward destination for arriving visitors that do not have pre-arranged accommodations.
Getting There
The town of Agujitas (Drake) is accessible by vehicle during the dry season but is cut off in the rainy season by rivers too large to ford. There is daily riverboat access from the town of Sierpe. Boats depart in the mornings from Hotel Oleaje Sereno, which offers secure parking for visitors that prefer to leave their rentals behind. At the time of this writing (April, 2005) the fare was $20 one way. Drake is serviced by daily flights from San Jose by both NatureAir and Sansa. Charters by Alfa Romeo are also available from Puerto Jimenez and San Jose. During the dry season there is bus transport between Drake and La Palma, where buses can be caught either into Puerto Jimenez or off the peninsula. Taxi fare from Drake to Puerto Jiménez is $100-120.
Tours and Activities
Isla del Caño Snorkeling and Diving
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Drake's proximity to Caño Island National Marine Park makes it the destination de rigeur for diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica. Only Cocos Island, 400 miles to the southwest, surpasses the diversity and quality of diving that Caño offers, but to dive Cocos requires several days transit just to get there and back. Since Caño Island is 12 miles offshore, the easiest way to enjoy the snorkeling and diving opportunities are to join daily tours offered by Jinetes de Osa, Pirate Cove, and other local outfitters. Prices for snorkeling range from $50 to $65 per day and for diving are around $115 per person, $95 if you bring your own equipment. RESERVE |
Corcovado National Park
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Drake is about 20 kilometers from the San Pedrillo ranger station of Corcovado National Park. This is about an eight hour hike, but a variety of Drake area tour operators make the trip down the coast by motorboat and offer day-long guided tours for $45-$65 per person. For $20 or $30 more a tour can be taken in the heart of the park in the vicinity of the Sirena ranger station. RESERVE |
Canopy Tour
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Jinetes de Osa also offers the only formal canopy tour on the whole peninsula, boasting four platforms and five zip lines. Their three hours tour is $55 per person. RESERVE |
Dolphin Swimming and Whale Watching
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Dolphin and whale-watching are also popular activities along the coastline from Drake. Sierra of Delfin-Amor offers swimming with dolphin tours that have a world-class reputation. Whale-watching also, either for $95 per person. It's a cetacean sensation waiting for you at Drake. RESERVE |
Sport Fishing CafeNet El Sol is home to Central American Angler.
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The cobalt waters of the tropical Pacific ocean are home to several species of marlin as well as sailfish. Wahoo, dorado, and yellowfin tuna are also abundant offshore. Inshore fishing in the Drake area yields roosterfish, a colorful variety of snapper (red, yellow, and black) and cubera as well, grouper, amberjack, pompano, snook, and others. Full day inshore and offshore trips for up to four start at $550. Half day inshore starts at $400. RESERVE |
In addition you will find an ample assortment of wilderness hiking tours with specialty tours that focus of birds, insects, nocturnal life, sea turtles and more. There are a considerable number of horseback tours offered by a variety of outfitters. Sea kayaking and canoeing are readily available. At some lodges kayaks and canoes are made available to guests at no extra charge.
Accommodations: All Inclusive
Regional all-inclusive eco lodges include the following. For more information on the lodge of your choice or to make reservations, click on the link beside the lodge and let me know your dates. If you would like general advice simply write me with your questions. For budget hotels in the town of Drake, see the following section.
PLEASE NOTE: All prices are 2005 high season prices per person based on double occupancy; expect to pay more around the Christmas holidays and less during the months September-November. Many of these destinations offer only multiple day packages that include San Jose lodging, ground transfers, and round trip airfare to Drake. I have done my best to abstract such charges so that each price presented is as close to the actual price per day for lodging and meals as possible for you to compare prices. Abbreviations used: M: three meals included; T: Costa Rican taxes (16.39%) included. ($$$): Expensive (more than $200 per person per day). GS: Green Season
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DESCRIPTION | PRICE | PIX |
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JINETES DE OSA: Located about 100 meters beyond the end of the road, Jinetes de Osa is the premiere adventure outfitter of the Drake region and specializes in scuba-diving. They offer diver certification, snorkeling, Corcovado day hikes, horseback riding, as well as the only canopy tour on the peninsula. There comfortable bay-view lodging includes clean well-anointed rooms, with electricity and hot water. Full set of tours and packages available. |
$76; M; T |
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DELFIN AMOR ECO LODGE: Located beyond the end of the road, Delfin Amor boasts six cabinas with private bathrooms, all with ocean and forest views and specializes in dolphin and whale-watching tours. Most famous is Sierra's swimming with dolphin tours. Full set of tours and packages available. | $85 M |
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CABINAS LAS CALETAS:
Private spacious duplex cabins with private bathrooms
about two miles south of town. Boat access only.
Forest and mountain view.
Full set of tours available. MORE INFO RESERVE |
$65 M T |
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AGUILA
DE OSA:
Spacious, luxurious, ocean-view accommodations
featuring two suites and eleven deluxe accommodations just beyond the
end of the road, private bathrooms,
hot water, purified drinking water, complete set of tours, gourmet
cuisine. |
PACKAGES ($$$) |
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HOTEL OJALA:
Located in Drake, Hotel Ojalá specializes in sport fishing and has three
air conditioned rooms with a maximum occupancy of nine. A good
reputation for fantastic cuisine.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
$50; M; T $45 GS |
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EL MIRADOR LODGE
Ocean view cabins just to the
north of Agujitas. Accessible by vehicle. Least
expensive all-inclusive accommodations in Drake Area. Full
set of tours available. MORE INFO RESERVE |
$40 M T\ $35 GS |
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BAHIA PARAISO RAIN FOREST LODGE This 187-acre private preserve beyond the end of the road features two verandah rooms, four standard rooms, and 15 tents on platforms. Full set of tours and packages available. | $55-85; M T Cocktail snorkeling gear |
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LA PALOMA LODGE Spectacular accommodations on 12 forested beachfront acres. Full set of tours and packages available. | Packages ($$$) |
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MARENCO BEACH AND RAIN FOREST LODGE Beachfront lodge on a private nature preserve. Meals are family-style fixed menu but are not included in the rate. | $50-75 per room, NOT person, T |
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PUNTA MARENCO LODGE Located beyond the end of
the road adjacent to the beautiful Rio Claro, Punta Marenco is situated
on 500 hectares of the Rio Claro National Wild Life Refuge, formerly
Marenco Biological Station and offers private bungalows with a maximum
facility capacity of 25. Family style dining, generator power
until ten p.m. Full set of tours and
packages available.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
About $125 M T |
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POOR MAN'S PARADISE
Eight cabinas, five ranchos, and 8 tents beach front just
north of Agujitas. Road accessible. Full set of tours and
packages available.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
$45-60 M T |
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DRAKE BAY
WILDERNESS RESORT Located a few hundred meters
beyond Agujitas, Drake Bay Wilderness, in business for 18 years, boasts
20 nicely anointed rooms with views of both the bay and the forest
Full set of tours and packages available.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
4D, 3N, 2 Tours: $790 M T Airfare |
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PIRATE COVE
Description pending. In
Agujuitas, diving outfitters and accommodations.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
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COCALITO JUNGLE
RESORT Beachfront bungalows with private bathrooms
and botanical gardens. Boat access only.
Full set of tours and
packages available.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
Packages $92 |
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DRAKE BAY TREETOP RESORT
Located beyond the end of the
road, Treetop sits on 60 acres of protected rain forest and beach.
Private screened rooms with ocean views. Boat access. Full set of tours and
packages available.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
$65 M Beverages |
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HOTEL CASA CORCOVADO
Beyond the end of the
road, beach front on a 170-acre private nature preserve, Casa Corcovado
offers sumptuous accommodations in their 14 suites and bungalows and
gourmet cuisine. Full set of tours and packages
available.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
Packages ($$$) |
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CORCOVADO ADVENTURES TENT CAMP Comfortable tents
and platforms, fully furnished, decks out front. Beach front on
private wildlife preserve.
Full set of
tours and packages available. Boat access.
MORE INFO RESERVE |
$65 M T Laundry, canoes, kayaks, snorkel gear |
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HOTEL
JADEMAR: Ten rooms and three cabinas in
Agujitas. Tours. MORE INFO RESERVE |
$50 M T $45 GS $20-25 Lodging only in cabinas |
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CASA
MANATIAL. Five bedrooms in Agujitas, budget
accommodations, shared bathrooms, tours to regional attractions MORE INFO RESERVE |
$15 $10 GS |
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CORCOVADO EXPEDITIONS. Located conveniently at the end of the road in front of the beach, Corcovado Expeditions is a tour service, offering parking for guests lodging in destinations beyond the end of the road. Internet Service For more information or to reserve | C1000 / hr Internet |
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CABINAS MAR Y SOMBRA MORE INFO RESERVE |
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For help in securing Drake area reservations, please write me or fill out my online questionnaire to give me an idea of what you are interested in doing.
Corcovado National Park Drake Carate Matapalo Puerto Jimenez Points North Golfo Dulce
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