The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – It happens to the best of us no matter where we live: getting into a rut. It’s virtually impossible not to get into this dreaded cycle of the mundane as we balance our daily life of work, taxes, and a never-ending pile of laundry.
The good news is that there’s a very simple way to change it up, take a breather, get in touch with nature while never having to hassle with the question, “What should we do for dinner tonight?” That solution is the Drake Bay Getaway All-inclusive Eco Resort in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
The Journey
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Life is a journey, not a destination”. And even though Ralph might have changed his statement if he’d had the pleasure of staying at Drake Bay Getaway, he completely captured the essence of traveling to this pristine paradise.
Drake Bay is accessible by small plane, boat, or one rather rickety road. However, the best and most scenic method is
to take a boat from the small riverfront town of Sierpe, which is nestled amongst the tributaries of the massive Sierpe River. Here you’ll catch a water taxi that acts as a lifeline between the pueblo and the locals, so be prepared to get cozy with your neighbor as you cruise along the murky water.
The entire journey is about 45 minutes, but the time will fly as you get an informal tour as the boat snakes in and out of the river’s tendrils, which are lined with hardy mangroves and the occasional crocodile basking in the sun.
You’ll know the ocean and bay are close as the salt and fresh water slowly begins to fade into a crystal blue color and palm trees dominate the coastline. As you fully emerge from the river, Drake Bay opens up all around with pristine mocha-colored beaches on the left and Caño Island Biological Reserve in the distance on your right, which is world renowned for its scuba diving.
The Destination
As you approach the small coastal town nestled against the jungle and mountains of Corcovado National Park, a welcoming committee of locals will be there to greet the boat and help push it into the shore where you jump directly into the surf to reach your destination. From here, you’ll get your first glimpse of Drake Bay Getaway’s white, passive cooling roofs tucked into the hills directly above the beach.
Part of this committee is your hospitable hosts, Yens and Patrick, the owners of the eco lodge. As you walk up the secluded path towards the hotel, it’s clear from their excited and passionate discussion regarding the surrounding area that the hotel and bay are more than just a business endeavor; this is their home and a labor of love.
It’s also evident that Drake Bay Getaway was built with community, sustainability, and splendor at the forefront. For starters, the location was previously uninhabited due to the steep, inhospitable jungle trail that dropped directly into the beach. The owners have helped the Drake Bay community develop better trails by building a handmade adobe trail using a mixture of clay, sand, and grass to fortify the road, which allowed accessibility for everyone.
However, the real take-your-breath-away moment comes when you reach the private hilltop cabinas. Every room features an entire wall of open air sliding doors that lead to a spacious patio with the best panoramas of the sapphire bay and the surrounding treetops in Drake Bay. Plus, the simple, clean, and locally sourced teak décor along with the free flowing ocean breeze will have you instantly at ease.
Believe it or not, the breathtaking moments don’t stop there. The bathroom is a work of art all in itself with a palatial open floor plan, dual rainfall showerheads, and equally spectacular views of the bay and forest while you shower.
Although you won’t want to leave the room, you won’t want to miss a single meal even more. Drake Bay Getaway is not your typical all-inclusive resort serving up boring buffet lines and disappointment. Instead, they offer a personally tailored Costa Rican fusion menu that features three decadent meals per day that combine the foods you love and the
local cuisine. And to wash it all down, they have a just about every fresh blended tropical drink or coffee option available.
If you really want to get a sense of how untouched and wild Drake Bay is, you’ll want to take advantage of one the many tours offered in the area from Corcovado tours to diving to night walking tours. However, you don’t have to go far to get a taste of the wildlife; from the hotel, you’ll be able to see capuchin monkeys happily playing in the trees and scarlet macaws soaring overhead daily. Plus, the eco lodge offers a lush butterfly garden where you can see all the local butterflies up close and personal, including the elusive and captivating morpho butterfly.
They say time will stop when you’re where the universe wants you to be and it couldn’t be truer than when you’re surrounded by such indulgence and natural beauty. So take some time to relax, let someone else do the cooking and dishes, and enjoy your stay at Drake Bay Getaway.
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)