We were only there for 2 days this time, but we saw a whale shark, a sloth, toucans, howler monkeys, and Macaws. For the people complaining about there stay here must be disappointed because they wanted to stay at the Hilton or Hyatt. This is a family run resort and is far different than a commercial resort. That said, it isn't any less accommodating but there is not a huge staff buzzing around or lurking at your door to add mints to your pillow. You do receive very clean, attentive service which is amazing since it appears that it is all orchestrated by the owner of the resort. This gorgeous destination and accommodations for us have yet to disappoint and again we can't wait to get back there.

Situated on a Peninsula jutting out into Drake Bay, this family-run Resort epitomizes the Real Flavour Of Costa Rica. Cabins are located facing the Pacific and are cooled by sea breezes and ceiling fans. Each unit has a small refrigerator,and there is an abundance of wildlife and birdlife to see and hear.Accessible by water,the staff and owners make everyone feel welcome. The local Chef has been with the Resort for the past sixteen years and is second to none. Salt-water Pool with an open-air Bar nearby.Good opportunity to meet guests from all over the world. Marvelous Beaches nearby.Isla Canoa is plainly visible and is a half hour boat trip away.Excellent snorkeling,diving, hiking and tours of mangrove swamps are all available at this Resort. Reasonable Rates include three meals daily. Internet available as well as Laundry Service.Great fishing. One of the best places to stay in Costa Rica.

No driving, no stress; interesting things to see and do for both me and my grandson - all this and more I found at the Drake Bay Wilderness Resort. Our arrival was pretty thrilling - after an easy 45 minute flight from San Jose on a 19-seater Nature Air plane, a 4 wheel drive vehicle picked us up and bumped over dirt roads to a beautiful beach, where we were met by a motor boat and whisked across Drake Bay to the resort's landing. It was lunch time, and our first meal was as delicious as all the rest. My very American grandson was skeptical of the unfamiliar dishes, but even "Mr. French Fry" himself ate almost everything put before him in the communal dining hall. Eating at long tables with the other guests proved to be a great opportunity to meet one's fellow travelers and to find out about the activities offered by the resort. "What did you do today?" was the first topic at dinner. After our evening meal, we got to sign up for the next day's outing. I let my grandson choose our "tours," which included a boat ride to Cano Island (dolphins spotted on the way there and back) and snorkeling off its beach (my first time - "awesome!" to quote my grandson);
a horseback ride (just the 2 of us and a guide) to a waterfall (where we swam); and zip-lining (yes, grandma zip-lined!). These tours were included in our 4 night "package," and we paid a little extra for the "Bug Tour" on our first night there - Tracy the Bug Lady totally knows her stuff and shows you the most amazing insects (kinda scary, but not too). The last night we splurged on a boat tour in the dark out into the Bay, where there are phosphorescent plankton in the water and a billion billion stars overhead. We put on our life vests and splashed around in the warm water, making stars around us and watching the stars overhead. It was magical. I felt like Tinkerbell.
We would have seen more wildlife had we signed up for the "tours" to Corcovado National Park, Violin Island, or the Mangrove Swamp. That's not what my grandson chose, and since he was happy, I was happy.If you are more into wildlife, pick the other tours.
The cabins are basic but were fine for us - we did not need air conditioning (there wasn't any) and it would have masked the sound of the ocean at night. I am too old to put up with cold showers, and didn't have to - there is hot water in the basic bathroom in each cabin (shower, toilet, sink). The grounds are beautiful and my grandson spent most afternoons in the salt-water pool, showing off his cannonball dives. He also loved the big swings and the hammocks. But what he really loved was the attention he got from the other guests. Everybody there was interesting and engaged, and they all treated my grandson as an (almost) equal. One couple taught him to play cribbage. Everyone talked to him, bantered with him, and seemed to be interested in what he said. When we all returned from our "tours" in the afternoon, we gathered by the pool (right by the bar) for a beer or a pina colada and shared conversation until dinner. It was a great way to segue into the evening. Most of us were too tired to do much but go to sleep after dinner, however, since the day started early and the sun set at 6 in Feb.
The staff at the resort were friendly and helpful in every way. If you leave your dirty clothes off in the morning, they are laundered for you and returned by the afternoon (don't have to pack too much).
I got a discount for paying in American dollars, which made our stay even more affordable.

We did enjoy our stay at Drake Bay, it is a very peaceful place and we met some great people. The guides are excellent but I can't say the same for the owners. Our main reasons for going all the way down to Drake Bay was to see Cano Island and the ancient stones on it and to see Dolphins or Whales. When we booked I asked if we could customise the tours so we get to do what we want and I was told it wouldn't be a problem, they'll sort it out when we get there. Upon arriving though I asked several times if we could incorporate dolphin watching with the trip over to cano Island to go snorkeling and to see the stones, I was told that sometimes we see dolphins on the way sometimes we don't, and it is not recommended to walk around the Island as most of the stones have been stolen! Would have been nice to know this beforehand!

We asked for the fridge to be fixed in our room as it didn't work and got a look of disbelief as if we should be grateful that we have a fridge - even if it doesn't work. Needless to say it didn't get fixed. I also asked several times for a bit more food for dinner as the set menu is a bit on the small side for a guy but I was told there was not enough. We got the impression that they have had enough, but they should remember that it is tourists that make them and tourists that can break them.