Drake’s Bay- Simply speaking - Paradise: Great place for diving , fishing, and some of the most intense wildlife.

While many things have changed since Sir Francis Drake sailed away from  this small idyllic bay that bares his name there are still some things that have remained unchanged. The macaws and monkeys still roam free in large numbers and the local villagers still fish off the beach most days in hope of a fish dinner. Sunsets over nearby Cano Island are framed by tropical palms and life still moves at a leisurely pace.

Nonetheless, electricity has recently arrived and cell phones are now not uncommon, both signs that change is underway in Drake’s Bay.
Electricity has brought refrigeration which has allowed the newcomers to be able to store food and have constant contact with the world outside. So far most of these new places have strict eco-friendly policies out of recognition by those that live there that it is the unspoiled nature of Drake’s Bay that draws their visitors. Hopefully things will continue to remain this way.

From Drake’s Bay there are many activities to choose from. The highlights would include a visit to the Sirena Ranger station in Corcovado National Park and diving off of Can Island, another National park located just seven miles from shore. If these activities $60-$90 a person) break your bank there are plenty of options to choose from in Drakes Bay that won’t including kayaking, horseback riding, jungle treks or just enjoying a lazy day on a beach all of your own.

Quepos/ Manuel Antonio - The place that made Costa Rica famous. The Quepos/Manuel Antonio area is still just as charming today as it was when it was “discovered” by adventuring tourists not so long ago. The area has grown and now offers many of the services one would expect in any town built upon tourism.

The “downtown” area is becoming known as the Marina District with construction begun on the new international marina and there are several different restaurants to choose from along with a slew of cantinas and other watering holes.  The fishing that put Quepos on the map is still world class and the boats are much more affordable than the premium charged at the Los Suenos area north of Jaco. There are also a few new dive operators and canopy tours as well as some one of a kind rain forest adventures by horse, boat and quadracycle.

The crown jewel of the area, Manuel Antonio National Park still is a “must see” for any visit to Costa Rica with some of the best beaches and opportunity to see Costa Rica’s wide variety of wildlife up close. Visiting this area is also made simple with the proximity of the Quepos airport which makes a flight from Quepos just a 20 minute hop.

Arenal - Not so long ago this area was considered one dimensional with the focus being the might Arenal Volcano and its magnificent displays of lava and ash.

Now visitors to this area can relax in luxurious hot water springs and mud baths, explore underground caves, climb to the bottom of a tropical waterfall or visit the nearby Cano Negro wildlife preservation area and its extraordinary opportunity to see untouched habitats. Along with these activities there a number of new hotels and cabins but since they tend to be spread out one gets the feeling of being in a relaxed country setting. In fact much of the surrounding area is still dedicated to agriculture and the traditional Costa Rica way of life.