Bahía Drake · Puntarenas · Costa Rica
Playa Drake
Fishing pangas tilt on the sand beside arriving guests, their hulls slick with seawater. This crescent of tawny beach frames the rhythm of Drake Bay—arrivals, departures, and the long pause of sunset between jungle and tide.
Reading live conditions…
Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Playa Drake. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.
- Purity
- 0%
- Conditions
- 0%
- Crowd
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- Vibe
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The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.
Fishing pangas tilt on the sand beside arriving guests, their hulls slick with seawater. This crescent of tawny beach frames the rhythm of Drake Bay—arrivals, departures, and the long pause of sunset between jungle and tide.
Photos
8 captures from Playa Drake
About this beach
Where it is
Playa Drake
Bahía Drake, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
8.6914°, -83.6615°
Top things to do
At Playa Drake
Sunset on water
Macaws backlit over Pacific swells
Warm-water wading
River-fed shallows, gentle surf
Coastal trail access
Trailheads linking neighboring beaches
Beachfront sodas
Grilled dorado, cold Imperial
Near this beach
Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Playa Drake.
Questions people actually ask about Playa Drake.
Is Playa Drake safe for swimming and what are the water conditions like?
Playa Drake generally offers calm swimming conditions during dry season (December-April), though water conditions vary along the bay. Some sections have gentle waves suitable for families, while others may have stronger currents. Always check with local guides or accommodations about current conditions. The beach lacks lifeguards, so supervision of children is essential. Watch for river mouths where currents can be stronger. Rip currents are possible during high surf. Marine life is abundant but generally harmless; stingrays occasionally rest in shallow sand.
When is the best time to visit Playa Drake?
The dry season from December through April offers the best weather with sunny days and calmer seas, ideal for beach activities and boat tours to Corcovado. May through November brings rain, particularly September-October with heavy afternoon showers, but fewer crowds and lower prices. Wildlife viewing remains excellent year-round, and the rainforest is lush during wet season. Humpback whales migrate through July-November and December-March. For optimal conditions with good weather and wildlife, visit December-February or July-August when whale watching peaks.
