Drake Bay puts you at the doorstep of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Corcovado National Park, Cano Island Biological Reserve, humpback whale corridors, and the largest mangrove on the Pacific coast — all within a short boat ride from Agujitas.
Corcovado protects the largest primary rainforest in Central America: no roads, no crowds, no shortcuts. What you find here cannot be replicated anywhere else in Costa Rica: tapirs grazing on the beach at dawn, four species of monkeys in the same canopy, bull sharks patrolling the river mouth at Sirena Station, and harpy eagles scanning the treetops above trails that see fewer visitors per year than most city parks see in a morning. Drake Divers has held permits for both ranger stations accessible from Drake Bay for over 20 years. We know the park by heart: which trails flood in May, where the peccaries move in October, and exactly when the light hits the Llorona waterfall at San Pedrillo.
Drake Bay sits inside the Osa Peninsula, what National Geographic called «the most biologically intense spot on Earth.» The largest primary rainforest in Central America, Pacific mangroves, scarlet macaws at dawn, and humpback whales breaching meters from your boat. Our land, river, and wildlife tours unlock the wild side of Costa Rica that most travelers never discover. Three days or three weeks: Drake Bay’s rainforest, whale watching, and jungle experiences complete your Costa Rica adventure.
The Osa Peninsula is home to 2.5% of the world’s total biodiversity. From Drake Bay, two completely different ecosystems are within reach: the primary rainforest of Corcovado National Park — with jaguar, tapir, all four monkey species, and 465+ bird species — and the open Pacific waters of Drake Bay, where humpback whales, dolphins, and scarlet macaws share the same morning. Both experiences depart by boat from Agujitas. Both are led by certified local naturalist guides. Both are unlike anything else in Costa Rica.
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime rainforest adventure with our Corcovado National Park tours, exploring one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Led by expert naturalist guides, our wildlife tours take you deep into the lush jungles of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, where you’ll encounter exotic animals such as scarlet macaws, tapirs, monkeys, anteaters, and, if you’re lucky, the elusive jaguar.
Venture into the remote rainforests of Costa Rica for an unmatched wildlife watching experience. Our expertly guided tours take you into the heart of Corcovado National Park, where nature flourishes untouched. Spot howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, scarlet macaws, tapirs, and with a bit of luck, even the elusive jaguar, all in their natural habitat.
Our certified, bilingual naturalist guides have years of experience exploring Corcovado National Park. They know the terrain intimately, understand animal behavior, and are passionate about helping you spot wildlife while sharing in-depth knowledge about the rainforest’s unique ecosystem.
Our team is made up of certified professionals with years of field experience. They know every trail, every sound of the forest, and the rich diversity of species that call Corcovado home ensuring a safe, informative, and unforgettable journey.
We take care of everything: transportation, permits, gear, meals, and logistics. All you need to do is enjoy the adventure. Our mission is to offer a seamless, well-organized experience, fully connected with nature.
Corcovado National Park is home to all four monkey species found in Costa Rica: howler, spider, white-faced capuchin, and squirrel monkey. Common sightings also include Baird's tapir, giant anteater, coati, scarlet macaw, toucan, and a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians. Jaguar and puma are present in both the Sirena and San Pedrillo sectors — our guides at Drake Divers have been operating in this territory for over 20 years and know exactly where to look. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed in a wild ecosystem, but Corcovado offers higher encounter rates than any other rainforest in Central America.
SINAC — Costa Rica's national park authority — strictly limits the number of daily entry permits to Corcovado National Park. During dry season (December to April), we recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance. During wet season (May to November), 5 to 7 days is usually enough. Drake Divers confirms and secures your permit before any payment is processed. If your requested date is fully booked, we will offer the nearest available alternative. Do not leave this for the day before — permits sell out and cannot be purchased at the park entrance.
Corcovado tours operate year-round from Drake Bay. The dry season (December to April) offers easier trail conditions, lower river levels, and more predictable mornings — ideal for first-time visitors. The wet season (May to November) brings lush vegetation, fewer crowds, and frequent humpback whale sightings on the boat crossing from Agujitas. Rain in Corcovado typically falls in the afternoon, while tour hours are in the morning. There is no bad season to visit — only different experiences. Our guides at Drake Divers adapt every tour to the conditions of the day.
Both sectors are inside Corcovado National Park and accessible by boat from Drake Bay. San Pedrillo Station is closer to Agujitas, offers shorter trails (3 to 5 km), and includes coastal views and a waterfall — a good option for families or those with limited hiking experience. Sirena Station is deeper in the park, requires more time and physical effort (5 to 8 km of hiking), and offers significantly higher biodiversity and wildlife density. Sirena is where jaguar sightings are most documented. Drake Divers operates tours to both sectors and will recommend the right one based on your group's fitness level and time available.
The Corcovado National Park tour focuses on guided hiking inside the protected rainforest — a permit-controlled, immersive experience through primary jungle. The Wildlife Watching tour covers a broader range of ecosystems and species: birdwatching on Osa Peninsula trails, dolphin and humpback whale watching in Drake Bay, the Tapir Trail hike, and the Sierpe River mangrove tour. If your priority is the rainforest and large mammals, choose Corcovado. If you want maximum variety across land, river, and ocean — including birds, marine life, and jungle — Wildlife Watching is the right choice.
Wear light, breathable clothing in neutral colours (avoid bright colours that may disturb wildlife). Closed-toe hiking shoes or boots are essential — sandals are not suitable for rainforest trails. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and a hat. Drake Divers provides binoculars, drinking water, trail snacks, lunch, a rain poncho, and a dry bag for your belongings. You do not need to carry much — we handle the logistics so you can focus on the experience. A camera with a zoom lens or a good smartphone is highly recommended.
Yes. Both the Corcovado and Wildlife Watching tours are suitable for families. The San Pedrillo sector is the recommended option for children due to shorter trail distances and easier terrain. Our naturalist guides adapt the pace, language, and storytelling to the group — children often have the sharpest eyes for wildlife in the jungle. We recommend a minimum age of 6 years. For younger children, the Wildlife Watching tour — particularly the dolphin and whale watching experience — is an excellent alternative that requires no hiking.
Most tours depart from Agujitas (Drake Bay) by speedboat between 6:30 and 7:30 AM. Half-day tours return by early afternoon. Full-day tours, including the Sirena Station route, return around 3:00 to 4:00 PM. A 2-day overnight experience at Sirena Station is available on request for those who want maximum immersion. All tours include boat transport, guide, park entry permits, water, snacks, and lunch. Drake Divers has been running this route from Drake Bay for over 20 years — logistics are fully handled so you arrive at the trailhead ready to explore.
With over 240 verified Google reviews, Drake Divers is one of the highest-rated tour operators on the Osa Peninsula. Our naturalist guides are local — they grew up in this territory, they know Corcovado’s trails by memory, and they know where the tapirs drink at dawn.
Call or message us directly. Talk to one of our local guides. We’ll help you choose the right tour, check permit availability, and get everything ready for your day in Corcovado.
