Vista Drake Lodge

Drake Bay is a top spot for getting out to famed Puntarenas destinations like Caño Island (for snorkelling and diving over colourful coral reefs) or Corcovado National Park (to try your luck at spotting wildlife like sloths, monkeys and tapirs). Tours can also be arranged to the Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands to look for crocs, monkeys and birds. There are also plenty of things to do from Drake Bay that don’t involve booking a tour, too. These include local free trails, where many visitors spot monkeys and birds. Take a taxi to dreamy Playa San Josecito (20 minutes’ drive) before hiking back along the quiet Drake Trail to Drake Bay. The site also organises night tours to Rio Agujitas Farm (five minutes), which is your chance to keep your eyes peeled for all the interesting little critters that only come out at night. Who says wildlife watching has to be just a daytime activity?