As often stated on this site, I estimate that 90% of Drake Bay visitors have 3 days to spend on activities. Those days are normally used to experience Sirena Ranger Station, Caño Island, and a day at the beach.

“Day at the beach” is usually spent at Playa Cocolito located approximately 20 minutes by foot from the center of Drake Bay. I don’t suggest spending one’s day in this fashion but I think that I understand why it happens. The beach located directly in front of our village receives the run off from 4 large rivers and the sediments create much cloudier water. Once the common traveler finds their way around to Playa Cocolito, they also find the blue water that they feared may not exist here.

Using one of your 3 days at Cocolito is not wasted time. Various forms of wildlife commonly visit the area, it’s relatively close to town, and it is a beautiful tropical beach. The biggest problem is when the afternoon sun peaks and the heat of the day causes the sand to cook. From my perspective, this is where the plan goes south. Most then find themselves wandering around Drake Bay’s hot gravel roads for the rest of the afternoon.

I would personally suggest exchanging this for The Drake Bay Beach Hike. Simply download the map and follow along:

The Beach Hike is mapped out using a red line indicating the trail between the center of Drake Bay (7) and San Josecito Beach (16). Between Cocolito (12) and San Josecito (16) 23 more sandy beaches can be found, each more beautiful than the last. The trail also guides you through various jungle environments as it dips away from the coast. The trail never ventures far enough from the ocean that you would be unable to hear it, so keeping the sound of the waves to your right prevents you from getting lost.

Behind the secondary jungles of The Beach Hike are the best primary jungles outside the boundary of Corcovado National Park. The animals of the primary jungle areas are frequently found searching the secondary shoreline for their breakfast. 3 species of monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, coatis, peccaries, and anteaters are just a few of the possible animals that can be experienced.

When your camera has approximately 60% battery life remaining, you will find yourself at the locally infamous “Rio Claro” (15). As late morning approaches, higher temperatures cause the animals to head for a shady spot for a siesta. Since cooling off seems logical, at this point of the day I recommend combining your activity with Rio Claro Waterfall Kayaking.

3 hours of kayaking is enough time to experience all 6 of Rio Claro’s majestic jungle waterfalls, refreshing swim spots and daring rock jumps. You could also decide to utilize one of Costa Rica’s top 5 surf waves or just hang out chatting with Ricardo, a local turtle conservationist that has been saving nests along this stretch of coastline for almost 40 years.

The beach hikes ends with a short 15 minute trek ending at San Josecito Beach (16) which is the next best snorkeling spot in Drake Bay to Caño Island.

In fact, at 1pm the Caño Island tour groups go to San Josecito Beach to have lunch before return to Drake Bay by boat. Most captains will provide a ride to the beach hikers that ask. The standard charge is $10 per person however if you happen to recognize one of the captain from your Corcovado or Isla del Caño tour it is possible to get a ride for free. The best tip that I can give, for avoiding the $10 charge, is to use the word “TripAdvisor” at least twice. I don’t think that it matters to which context it’s used. I then suggest actually giving them a review. After all, Caño Island is a great place and it helps to tell others about your experience.

If you are experiencing the beach hike with a group larger than 4, you may want to consider scheduling a private boat to meet your group and return you to Drake Bay.

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Most tour operators advertise this experience as a horse riding activity. I personally think that there are better ways to spend a day on horseback. This waterfall is a relatively easy trek on foot and visitors can simply be directed here without the need for a guide.

The jungle environment at the base of this huge waterfall combined with the experience of the journey is a pretty good way to spend the day. I have even heard many travelers claim that the Naguala experience was better than the tours that they paid for in other places across Costa Rica.

To experience the Los Planes Waterfall Hike, simply download the map and follow along with our instructions below.

From point (A) to point (B)
Choice of 20 minute walk or $6 taxi from the center of Drake Bay to a natural stream located in an area that is locally known as the “Bijagua”. The taxi will normally drop passengers at the top of the steep hill with a gravel road leading down to the stream.

From point (B) to point (C)
30 minute walk in the stream until it merges with a larger river (Agujitas River)

From point (C) to point (D)
The walk now travels against the current for approximately 45 minutes, or until the water becomes deep. From there, an obvious trail can be found on the left hand side of the river, which will guide you through the jungle for 15 minutes until you are looking downward at the mighty face of the Naguala waterfall.

The return hike is the same in reverse, although return taxi journeys are mostly too difficult to organize, so a 20 minute walk back into town will be necessary.

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This method of fishing requires only that you bring your fishing gear with you. Drake Bay currently has no business that rents fishing gear. If you want to open your possibilities to the best variety of fish, then I would suggest bringing baits that resemble crayfish. Crayfish are a common and natural food source found in all freshwater rivers and streams in Drake Bay. Many species wait at the river mouths for the bounties being constantly pushed out to sea. For this reason, it is not necessary to travel up the river to bring in a decent catch.

I have found my best luck going to any of the various river mouths approximately 2 hours before high tide. I have found that the action usually stops a couple of hours after high tide.

I have personally caught or seen the following species on this activity:
Red Snapper
Pacific Black Snook
Bigeye Jack
Roosterfish
Corvina

All of these listed can be caught using crayfish bait but if you switch to a white bellied “vibrating tail swim bait”, you will only lose the Corvina as a possibility. Locals usually find live crayfish and sardines for bait. If you are as skilled as they are, you will only need to bring fishing line, hooks and an empty water bottle (locals simply wrap the fishing line around the empty water bottle and use it as a reel!) Throw nets (for sardines) are too heavy for long journeys but most travelers arrive to Drake Bay through the village of Sierpe, where throw nets can be purchased.

When I go fishing, it is as a hobby. I grew up boat fishing the Great Lakes on the weekends with my father and grandfather. I love fishing with a pole because it brings me great memories. I now purchase fish for the restaurant from my friends, and many a catch has been served at Gringo Curt’s Seafood & Visitor Center from the abundant river mouths of Drake Bay.

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