Natural Drake Bay Hotel Boutique — Hotel in Bahía Drake

Natural Drake Bay is a hidden gem and was by far the best place we stayed during our entire trip to Costa Rica. This boutique oasis, nestled on the north side of the bay, offers a perfect blend of comfort, nature, and hospitality. We arrived by boat from Sierpe, and the hotel had thoughtfully arranged for a local taxi to pick us up upon arrival. When we reached the hotel, we were warmly greeted by Victor (big shoutout!) who welcomed us with a refreshing mocktail and led us to a stunning view of the beach. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking. Whether you're watching the sunset poolside, enjoying your morning coffee at the outdoor restaurant, or sipping cocktails in the hammock outside your room, the views are simply unforgettable. Our cabin was beautiful—modern, well-designed, and immaculately clean. The shower had consistently hot water with great pressure, which was a bonus after long days of exploration. We opted to eat at the hotel for every meal, and it did not disappoint. Breakfast, lunch (2 courses, $30 USD per person including drinks), and dinner (3 courses, $40 USD per person including drinks) were all delicious, beautifully presented, and made from locally sourced ingredients. The menu catered to all dietary needs, and the pricing was incredibly reasonable. A special mention goes to Victor, who makes the best Mojito you’ll ever have! The hotel grounds are teeming with wildlife, making it a paradise for nature lovers. We spotted toucans, macaws, green parrots, five species of birds of prey, owls, and even a baby boa constrictor at breakfast (don’t worry, non-snake lovers, it was completely harmless!). The highlight was a local tapir, which added to the magical atmosphere. For bird enthusiasts, the 20-meter-tall birdwatching tower is an absolute must, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding rainforest. There’s also a bushwalking trail, where we spotted the elusive Manakin bird, and a series of paths and bridges leading to a secluded beach—yet another private oasis. On one of our three days, we visited Corcovado National Park. The hotel staff went above and beyond, organising all transfers (a 5:40 am taxi and a 2:30 pm return), and even preparing a 5:10 am breakfast for us before we left. They also arranged our return boat trip to Sierpe with local operators, ensuring every detail was seamless. This hotel is a true gem, and my only regret is not booking a fourth night. The experience was nothing short of sensational—one of the best places I’ve ever stayed. I can’t thank the family-operated team enough for making our trip so memorable. Pura Vida, and thank you...

This is a lovely property run by the family owners who are onsite. Drake Bay is remote within Costa Rica and this hotel is kind of remote within Drake Bay. The owners will drive you if you need to go into town or to a tour. We had full board, the chef accommodated us (pescatarian); the food was always fresh and well-prepared. And this being Costa Rica, the coffee and fruit were top notch.

There is a nice pool that’s on a deck overlooking the bay, and it was always spotlessly clean.

The rooms are small but fine—very clean, comfortable beds, nice linens, big shower. And this being Costa Rica, the tap water is potable and also tastes good (we drank only tap the whole time and refilled our water bottles from the tap). There is a small refrigerator partially stocked as a minibar but with extra space for your own stuff.

There is good cell service throughout the property. WiFi is good on the main level, the lower level cabins have spotty WiFi so if that’s important to you ask for a cabin on the main level.

The lower level cabin has two connecting rooms. It’s down several flights of stairs from the main level (which has the restaurant and pool) so if that’s an issue for you ask when reserving for a cabin on the main level.

The property is on a bluff/hill overlooking the bay. To get to the beach, you walk down the stairs (same ones to get to the lower level cabin) and follow a patch to the beach that includes a newly built pedestrian bridge over a swampy area. The beach is nice, we were usually the only people for probably a kilometer in each direction left and right (reflecting this is a remote property.

There is a plethora of birds that visit the many trees and shrubs on the property. There is a great view of them from the restaurant. Don’t forget your binoculars (I did but they have a couple they will loan you).

We did several tours booked through the hotel. You can book on your own but I recommend booking through the hotel: they know the tour operators and guides so you are assured of a good guide. (I’ll note here that I’ve never had any guide anywhere in Costa Rica who wasn’t very good; I think the standards to be licensed are pretty high).

If you want a vacation with lots of relaxing and the availability of various tours/excursions to see a wide variety of wildlife, this is an...

Drake Bay is a remote yet breathtaking destination, and our stay at Natural Drake Bay Hotel made our visit truly unforgettable. We spent four nights here as the final leg of our Costa Rica trip, hoping to find a comfortable place that would enhance our experience of this faraway corner of the world. I’m thrilled to say we couldn’t have chosen a better place. Natural Drake Bay is a family-run hotel situated in a stunning location. Both the pool and restaurant offer beautiful views of the bay, creating a mesmerizing scene —at one point, we even saw whales jumping from the water! The beach is also just a 3 minute walk. Patricia, Daniel, and their team, particularly Victor, provide a luxurious experience. Throughout our stay, we felt very well cared for. Everyday, when you arrive, Patricia welcomes you with refreshing, beautifully scented cold towels, which is a wonderful treat after a hot day. Victor then serves the most exquisite fruit juices I’ve ever tasted. Even when activities (Corcovado Park visit, Snorkeling in Caño Island, ….) started at the crack of dawn, they were there to prepare breakfast for you. The hotel takes great pride in highlighting local cuisine at dinner, with top quality produce, exquisitely cooked. The rooms offer views of the surroundings, which were full of life (Birds, Iguanas, Monkeys) and relaxing in the hammocks was a spectacle in itself. Toucans would perch in the tree next to the cabin, while showering. The toiletries were of high quality, adding to the overall sense of luxury. In summary, Natural Drake Bay Hotel provided us with an exceptional experience, combining comfort, natural beauty, and warm...