By the Where to Stay in Costa Rica editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in Drake Bay if this is your first visit. It's the main base for boat trips to Corcovado's San Pedrillo and Sirena stations and for snorkeling at Caño Island, and lodges package tours, meals and transfers. Our pick is Hotel Finca Maresia.
Stay near Puerto Jiménez, on the Golfo Dulce side, if you want to drive in on a paved road, see wildlife from a beach lodge, or splurge at Lapa Rios on Cabo Matapalo. Carate, at the end of the road, is for hikers who want to walk into Corcovado from La Leona.
The Osa's Bases Compared
| Base | Best for | Getting there | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake Bay | Corcovado by boat, Caño Island, first-timers | Boat from Sierpe, or a flight | Wet beach landings; few roads |
| Puerto Jiménez & Platanares | Driving in, budgets, beach lodges | Paved road, or a flight | Longer trips to Corcovado's main stations |
| Cabo Matapalo | Eco-luxury, surf, wildlife on site | About 30–45 min from Puerto Jiménez by dirt road | Isolated, pricey |
| Carate | Hiking into Corcovado | 4x4 dirt road from Puerto Jiménez, often with river fords | Very remote; road can be closed after storms |
Map of Drake Bay Lodges
Drake Bay's village is at Agujitas; most lodges sit along the coast to the south, toward Corcovado.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Drake Bay stays →Best Places to Stay in Drake Bay
Lodges here usually sell packages with meals, tours and the boat from Sierpe. Compare what's included, not just the room rate.
Hotel Finca Maresia
Drake Bay, hillside, Drake Bay
Our top pick for value: hillside cabins above Drake Bay with sea views, and tours to Corcovado and Caño Island arranged for you.
Best for: Value wildlife trips
- Good birdwatching
- Family rooms and communal dinners
- Corcovado and Caño Island tours
More about this hotel
Cabins on a 5-hectare property above Drake Bay with good birdwatching, family-style dinners and a tour desk for Corcovado and Caño Island.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Imatges, algunes lle…, CC BY 3.0
Águila de Osa Rainforest Lodge
Drake Bay, Agujitas river mouth, Drake Bay
Upscale lodge at the river mouth in Drake Bay, with its own boats for diving and sportfishing.
Best for: Fishing and diving
- Close to Corcovado boats
- Fishing and diving packages
- Rooms with balconies
More about this hotel
A lodge at the mouth of the Agujitas River in Drake Bay, with sport-fishing and diving packages and easy boat access to Corcovado and Caño Island.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Imatges, algunes lle…, CC BY 3.0
Copa de Árbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
Caletas, south of Drake Bay, Drake Bay
All-inclusive beach and rainforest lodge on the coast near Drake Bay.
Best for: All-inclusive beach and rainforest
- Meals and water gear included
- Infinity pool steps from the sea
- Family villas for 2–5
More about this hotel
Beachfront villas reached only by boat, with three meals, snacks and kayak, paddleboard and snorkel gear included. Alcohol and tours cost extra.
Map of Puerto Jiménez, Matapalo and Carate
Puerto Jiménez is on the Golfo Dulce; the dirt road runs south to Matapalo and west to Carate.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Puerto Jiménez stays →Best Places to Stay Around Puerto Jiménez and Carate
From a famous eco-lodge to a waterfront budget room.
Lapa Rios Lodge
Cabo Matapalo, Puerto Jiménez
One of Costa Rica's most famous eco-lodges, on a private reserve at Cabo Matapalo.
Best for: Eco-luxury
- 1,000-acre private reserve
- Full-package or B&B rates
- Airport shuttle
More about this hotel
One of Costa Rica's original eco-lodges: rainforest bungalows in a 1,000-acre private reserve at Cabo Matapalo, sold either as a full package with meals and guided walks or as bed and breakfast.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Iguana Lodge Beach Resort
Playa Platanares, Puerto Jiménez
Relaxed beach lodge on Playa Platanares, a few minutes from Puerto Jiménez and its airstrip.
Best for: Beach and wildlife
- Beachfront
- Pool, spa and yoga
- Family rooms
More about this hotel
Casitas on a long, quiet beach outside Puerto Jiménez, with a pool, a spa, a yoga pavilion and family rooms. Good wildlife watching from the grounds.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: David Broad, CC BY 3.0
Luna Lodge
Carate, inland hills, Carate
Wellness lodge with yoga in the hills above Carate, near Corcovado's La Leona entrance.
Best for: Wellness near Corcovado
- Three meals a day included
- Pool, spa and yoga
- Close to Corcovado
More about this hotel
A remote wellness lodge near Corcovado with bungalows, safari tents and three meals a day included, plus a pool, a spa and yoga. Getting there takes 2–2.5 hours from Puerto Jiménez by 4x4, or a short flight to Carate.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
La Leona Eco Lodge
Carate beach, Carate
Tent cabins on the beach at Carate, a short walk from the La Leona ranger station.
Best for: Hiking into Corcovado
- Beside a Corcovado entrance
- Meals and transfers in packages
- Open-roof garden showers
More about this hotel
Tent cabins a few steps from the beach next to Corcovado's La Leona ranger station. Packages include three meals and the transfer from Puerto Jiménez.
Cabinas Jiménez
Puerto Jiménez waterfront, Puerto Jiménez
Simple, well-kept rooms on the Puerto Jiménez waterfront.
Best for: Budget base
- Waterfront on the Golfo Dulce
- Free kayaks and bikes
- Walk to restaurants
More about this hotel
A waterfront guesthouse in Puerto Jiménez on the Golfo Dulce, with a pool, free kayaks and bikes, and restaurants within walking distance.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Durmanb, CC BY-SA 4.0
Osa Peninsula Lodges at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
-
-
Águila de Osa Rainforest LodgeDrake Bay, Agujitas river mouth, Drake Bay · SplurgeFishing and divingCheck prices
-
Copa de Árbol Beach & Rainforest ResortCaletas, south of Drake Bay, Drake Bay · SplurgeAll-inclusive beach and rainforestCheck prices -
-
Iguana Lodge Beach ResortPlaya Platanares, Puerto Jiménez · Mid-rangeBeach and wildlifeCheck prices -
-
-
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Hotel Finca Maresia
Cabins
|
Drake Bay, hillside, Drake Bay | Mid-range | Value wildlife trips | Check prices |
|
|
Águila de Osa Rainforest Lodge
Rainforest lodge
|
Drake Bay, Agujitas river mouth, Drake Bay | Splurge | Fishing and diving | Check prices |
|
|
Copa de Árbol Beach & Rainforest Resort
All-inclusive lodge
|
Caletas, south of Drake Bay, Drake Bay | Splurge | All-inclusive beach and rainforest | Check prices |
|
|
Lapa Rios Lodge
Eco-lodge
|
Cabo Matapalo, Puerto Jiménez | Splurge | Eco-luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Iguana Lodge Beach Resort
Beach lodge
|
Playa Platanares, Puerto Jiménez | Mid-range | Beach and wildlife | Check prices |
|
|
Luna Lodge
Wellness lodge
|
Carate, inland hills, Carate | Splurge | Wellness near Corcovado | Check prices |
|
|
La Leona Eco Lodge
Tent cabins
|
Carate beach, Carate | Mid-range | Hiking into Corcovado | Check prices |
|
|
Cabinas Jiménez
Town guesthouse
|
Puerto Jiménez waterfront, Puerto Jiménez | Budget | Budget base | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to the Osa Peninsula
- To Drake Bay by road and boat: about 4.5 hours from San José to Sierpe, then about an hour by boat taxi through the mangroves and out to sea. Boats leave Sierpe at set times (usually late morning and afternoon), and you land on the beach, so pack light and wear sandals. Guarded parking is available in Sierpe.
- To Drake Bay by car: possible via Rincón, but the last stretch is 1 to 2 hours of rough dirt road and a 4x4 is needed in the rainy season. Most people take the boat.
- To Puerto Jiménez: about 6 hours from San José on paved roads. Fill your tank before turning onto the peninsula.
- By air: domestic flights serve both Drake Bay and Puerto Jiménez, turning a full travel day into about an hour.
If you're coming from Uvita, Sierpe is about an hour south.
Visiting Corcovado National Park
- A certified guide is mandatory, and entry must be booked in advance. Lodges and local tour operators handle this, often as part of a package.
- Sirena, the station with the best wildlife, is usually reached by boat from Drake Bay or on a long hike. It closes to visitors in October.
- Best season: December to April. September and October bring rain most days, and some lodges close.
- Caño Island, about 16 km off Drake Bay, has some of the best snorkeling and diving on the Pacific coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.