Sierpe Mangroves Tour from Drake Bay
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5.0 · Prehistoric jungle6 hoursSmall group · naturalist guide
Ocean & Water · Wetlands

Sierpe Mangroves Tour from Drake Bay

Glide by boat through one of Central America's largest mangrove systems — narrow emerald canals, walking trees and a prehistoric wealth of birds and wildlife.

Reserve this trip$120per person
About this trip

What to expect

From Drake Bay we head to the Sierpe–Térraba wetlands and weave through narrow canals beneath the mangroves' tangled roots — the 'walking trees'.

A naturalist guide points out white-faced capuchins, crocodiles, boas, kingfishers, herons and scarlet macaws, explaining why these ecosystems matter so much.

Trip highlights

Emerald canals

Narrow waterways through tangled roots.

Capuchins & crocodiles

Plus boas and shoreline wildlife.

Rich birdlife

Kingfishers, herons and scarlet macaws.

Naturalist guide

The ecology of a prehistoric jungle.

Your day, hour by hour

The itinerary

6:00 AM

Departure from Drake Bay

Boat departure heading to the Sierpe–Térraba mangroves and wetlands.

6:40 AM

Into the mangroves & wildlife spotting

Navigation through the winding channels in search of wildlife — birds, crocodiles, monkeys and native flora.

9:00 AM

Snack & refreshment break

A relaxing break to enjoy fresh tropical fruit, cookies and water.

11:00 AM

Return journey

Boat ride back toward Drake Bay — about an hour's travel.

12:00 PM

Arrival at Drake Bay

Back on the beach and conclusion of the tour.

What's included

  • Round-trip boat from Drake Bay
  • Expert naturalist guide
  • ~6 hours of exploration
  • Safety gear & first aid
  • Full lunch
  • Snacks, fresh fruit, cookies & water

Not included

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Sunscreen & repellent
  • Tips for your guide (appreciated)
$120per person
Reserve this trip
Before you go

Good to know

What to bring

Serious insect repellent, long sleeves, a hat and binoculars. Mangroves mean still air and mosquitoes; covering up beats spraying.

Who it's for

Wildlife and bird lovers, photographers, and anyone who has had enough sun. You stay in the boat the whole time, so it suits people who would rather not hike.

Best season

Year round. Bird numbers are highest from December to March; the wetter months push more water into the canals and let the boat reach further in.

Where we meet

On the beach in Drake Bay. It is roughly six hours door to door, including the run down the coast to the Sierpe river mouth.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What wildlife lives in the mangroves?

American crocodiles and caimans on the banks, white-faced capuchins and howler monkeys in the branches, boas coiled in the roots, and a great many birds — herons, kingfishers, ibis, ospreys and scarlet macaws overhead.

How big is this mangrove system?

The Térraba-Sierpe wetland is the largest mangrove system in Central America and a protected Ramsar site. From inside the narrow canals it feels prehistoric, which is exactly the point of going.

Do we get out of the boat?

No. The whole tour happens from the water, weaving through the canals under the roots. That is what makes it comfortable for people who cannot manage a jungle hike.

Are the mosquitoes bad?

They can be, particularly in the still air deep in the canals. Long sleeves, long trousers and repellent make it a non-issue. Come in shorts and you will regret it.

Is food included?

Yes — this tour includes snacks and bottled water during the trip, as well as a delicious full lunch at our restaurant upon returning to Drake Bay.

Is this tour refundable?

Yes. If you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible so we can arrange your refund.

From our guests

Hear from travelers who chose us

13 reviews on Google

We booked two tours with Bucaneros and were very satisfied. We especially enjoyed a trip with Carlos on the boat, where we saw a huge pod of dolphins and were treated to a delicious meal in a beautiful bay. Carlos is a relaxed, caring, and friendly guide. If you're still hungry or thirsty after the tour, the family-run restaurant El Bucanero is a great option.

Mats Ahlgren

The bioluminescence tour was wonderful. Carlos and Carlos or friend will take you out on a multipurpose boat, the same one their family uses to catch fresh fish for their restaurant. This type of bioluminescence is reactive to the touch. In Drake Bay in mid-July, we went out into the middle of the bay and swam in life jackets. They were willing to do a private tour for a bit longer for a little more, and were very flexible and nice. I felt comfortable at night with a ratio of 1 guide to 3 people, so if swimming in a lifejacket at night in the bay is scary for you, you might inquire about that. It is difficult to climb up to the boat without a ladder on your own, but extremely easy with the captain's helping hand. This bioluminescence is not easily photographable and requires at a minimum a very very large aperture DSLR with very high ISO and sensitivity, and even then it's extremely faint. Think of it as bright as small ephemeral stars in the water, a few dozens whenever you move. The snorkeling goggles are not compatible with prescription glasses, but I preferred personally the clarity of no goggles (which can get foggy), while my companions preferred with goggles. Any night is good as long as the moon is not up in the sky (new moon or near new moon is fine any time of night, but anything else and you have to check the lunar hour by hour moonrise moonset time table). Very nice family, who helped us out a few times when we forgot an item or two. Tasty drinks and food at their restaurant too. Another unnamed popular agency across the street cancelled another bioluminescence tour we booked, disingenuously claiming "weather" (seemed fair weather; I think they didn't get enough customers that night), but Bucaneros Corcovado Tours is very good. Bucarenos Tours honored the scheduled time and has always been straightforward and honorable, and we greatly enjoyed their kindness/hospitality and experience. Muchas gracias para todos 🤎

Dominik Müller

Thanks Carlos for the amazing kayak tour showing us the bioluminescence! After paddling out in the sea for a while, the biolumnescence was clearly visible from the kajak and even more while swimming in the sea. It was magical!

Christoph Hammer

We booked the Sunset & Bioluminescence Tour as a family, and it was absolutely amazing. Carlos and his friend did an outstanding job throughout the experience. Our kids especially loved when they cut fresh coconuts from the palms and prepared sugar cane for us to try. They even brought along cold beers, which we enjoyed while watching the sunset from the boat. Later, swimming in the glowing water under the pitch-black, starry sky felt truly magical. We can without hesitation recommend this tour. If you're interested, it’s best to visit Bucaneros Restaurant and arrange it directly with them, as the website still needs a bit of improvement . Its worth it! :)

Ron Mitchell

My wife and I were impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of Carlos during our inshore fishing tour today. He tried different spots, different techniques in pursuit of the best experience. We caught Bonito Tuna, Red Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and Jack. The Jack fish was served at the El Bucanero Restaurante in a Ceviche dish - muy deliciosa!

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+506 6194 7003 info@bucaneroscorcovadotour.com
Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula · Costa Rica
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