Drake Bay, the Hidden Treasure of Costa Rica

DRAKE BAY, Costa Rica - June 16, 2014 - PRLog -- The story goes that Drake Bay (Bahia Drake) in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula was discovered in the 16th century by Sir Francis Drake and contains hidden pirate treasure.

While it may not have come from pirates, there are certainly plenty of hidden treasures here. From the untouched wilderness of Corcovado National Park and the strikingly beautiful Caño Island, locals say that once you visit Drake Bay, you will always return.

This was certainly the case for Marleny Jimenez’s family. In 1974 when they first arrived in Drake Bay, there were little more than four houses. In 1984, when they began building Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, the boat from Sierpe took 4 hours and there was no electricity.

Marleny has pretty much seen it all. Drake Bay Wilderness Resort, which is also her home, is nestled in the jungle next to the Rio Agujitas- you won’t find a better ocean view in any other beach hotel in Costa Rica. The grounds here are what really set it apart from other hotels in Drake Bay.

You don’t just get a room. There is space to wander around, taking in the deep greens of the jungle and the vast blue pacific. For kids, there are plenty of areas where they can safely play, and Marleny offers discounts for families and groups where possible.

Eco-tourism is a phrase that gets thrown around quite a lot these days, but Drake Bay Wilderness Resort really does do a fantastic job. The family owns their own local farm, which supplies the delicious organic food for the restaurant and all the natural waste from the restaurant supplies the farm with fresh compost and food for the pigs.

They also support the community by employing local people, including guides for Corcovado National Park, Caño Island and Whale Watching tours. Marleny explains that many of her guides have been with them for over 15 years- there is not much that they can’t tell you about the wildlife here.

And there is certainly plenty of wildlife to talk about.  The free kayaks offered by this Drake Bay hotel are a chance to take a leisurely trip up the river straight from the private dock. Here you can see toucans, scarlet macaws and white faced capuchin monkeys that come right down to the water’s edge.

The treasure of Drake Bay is not hidden pirate gold; the treasure is Drake Bay itself. More information http://www.drakebay.com.