What should I do with my rental car or camper?

Vehicles cannot be transported on passenger speedboats. Our service offers 24/7 guarded secure parking in Sierpe for $8 USD per night, located just steps away from the boarding dock. Please note that parking must be booked as a separate service, as it is not included in the boat ticket.

Do boats depart precisely on schedule?

Every effort is made to maintain strict punctuality. However, maritime transport is influenced by natural factors (river mouth tides and ocean swells) and passenger luggage handling, which can occasionally cause minor delays. We recommend allowing flexible buffer time for connecting flights or buses.

Can I bring large suitcases or backpacks?

Yes, our speedboats accommodate standard travel luggage and large backpacks with dedicated secure storage on board.

How do payments work in Drake Bay? Are there ATMs?

There are no ATMs in Drake Bay or Sierpe. The nearest ATMs are located in Palmar Norte. While most Drake Bay hotels, restaurants, and tour operators accept Visa and Mastercard, power or internet outages can occur in remote areas. It is strongly recommended to withdraw sufficient cash (US dollars or Costa Rican colones) in Palmar Norte before boarding the boat in Sierpe.

Is there mobile internet reception during the boat crossing?

No. Cellular signal is very weak or nonexistent while navigating the Sierpe mangrove channels and the open Pacific stretch. We advise downloading offline maps and taking screenshots of your booking confirmations prior to boarding. Mobile reception will return once you arrive in Drake Bay’s populated areas.

Boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay: Official Schedule, Fares & Travel Tips

Taking the shuttle taxi boat from Sierpe to Drake Bay is the fastest, safest, and most scenic gateway into Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Because the overland road into Drake Bay features rugged gravel tracks and unbridged river crossings that are impassable for much of the year, the speedboat ride through the Sierpe River mangroves and the Pacific Ocean is the primary transit choice for travelers worldwide.

Official Departure Schedules

Our passenger speedboats operate 365 days a year across two regular daily departures:

📍 Sierpe to Drake Bay

Morning Departure: 11:30 AM (Top choice when arriving early from San José, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, or Uvita).
Afternoon Departure: 04:00 PM (Ideal if you face traffic delays or travel later in the afternoon).

📍 Drake Bay to Sierpe

Morning Departure: 07:30 AM (Perfect for connecting smoothly with Tracopa long-distance buses, airport shuttles, or your vehicle).
Afternoon Departure: 02:30 PM (Allows you to enjoy a full morning tour or hike in Drake Bay before heading back).

⚠️ Important Note on Schedule Fluctuations: Just like public trains, ferries, or flights, boat departures can occasionally experience unforeseen delays. Variables like tidal levels at the river estuary, sudden weather changes on the ocean, safe luggage loading, and passenger coordination can alter departure and arrival times by a few minutes. If you have tight onward flight or bus connections, please avoid booking overly narrow layovers.

Official Fares and Online Booking

Price: $25 USD per person, each way.
Trip Duration: Approximately 1 hour (40 minutes cruising through protected river mangrove channels and 20 minutes along the open Pacific coastline).
Booking Method: To secure your seat in advance and prevent boat overbooking, tickets are booked securely online via credit card or PayPal.

🚨 IMPORTANT PARKING NOTICE: Your boat fare covers passenger maritime transit and baggage only. Secure parking in Sierpe is NOT included with your boat reservation. If you are traveling with a rental car, private car, or camper, please reserve your parking slot separately ($8 USD per night) prior to boarding.

Book Boat Sierpe ➔ Drake ($25 USD) Book Boat Drake ➔ Sierpe ($25 USD) Book Parking in Sierpe ($8 USD / night)

Boarding Location in Sierpe: La Perla del Sur Dock (Donde Jorge)

The departure dock is located at the La Perla del Sur riverside restaurant (traditionally known as Donde Jorge), right on the banks of the Sierpe River. Facilities include a riverfront restaurant, clean restrooms, a café, and immediate access to our 24/7 guarded parking lot:

Open location in Google Maps
Open navigation in Waze

Please arrive at the dock 30 to 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure to complete luggage check-in smoothly.

Arrival & Departure Point in Drake Bay: Playa Agujitas

The official arrival landing spot (from Sierpe) and return departure point (to Sierpe) is situated right on the main town beach:

Exact location: Drake Bay Boarding & Landing Point (Playa Agujitas).

The Famous Wet Landing in Drake Bay

It is essential to understand that there is no concrete boat dock in Drake Bay:

The boat brings its bow gently onto the shore of Playa Agujitas.
You will disembark directly into shallow ocean water (usually between ankle and calf height).
Recommended Footwear: Wear waterproof sandals, water shoes, or easily removable footwear. Keep your smartphone, passport, and electronics in a waterproof dry bag.