Drake Bay sits at the edge of the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Getting here is part of the adventure, and once you arrive, you will find a remote paradise where ATMs do not exist, roads are mostly unpaved, and the jungle starts right at your doorstep. Packing smart makes all the difference between a comfortable trip and a frustrating one.
Whether you are planning a Corcovado Sirena Station day trip, a snorkeling adventure at Caño Island, or a nocturnal wildlife tour through the rainforest, this packing list covers everything you need to bring and a few things you can leave behind.
Clothing: Think Light, Quick Dry, and Layers
The climate in Drake Bay is tropical, warm, and humid year round. Temperatures hover between 24°C and 32°C (75°F to 90°F), and even during the dry season (December to April), a sudden rain shower is always possible.
Long sleeve moisture wicking shirts (two or three) are your best friend in the jungle. They protect you from the sun, insects, and scratches from vegetation while keeping you cool. Pair them with lightweight hiking pants that you can roll up or zip off into shorts. Avoid cotton entirely because once it gets wet, it stays wet for hours in this humidity.
Pack at least two pairs of quick dry shorts for the days you spend around town, on a boat tour to Caño Island, or relaxing at your lodge. A light long sleeve layer or thin fleece is useful for cooler boat rides in the early morning, especially if you are heading out at 6:00 AM for the Sirena tour.
For underwear and socks, choose synthetic or merino wool materials. Bring enough pairs so you always have a dry set ready. Nothing ruins a hike faster than damp socks.
A swimsuit is essential. You will use it more than you think, whether you are snorkeling at Caño Island, swimming in a waterfall on The Floating Tour, or simply cooling off after a jungle hike.
Footwear: The Most Important Decision You Will Make
Choosing the right shoes for Drake Bay and Corcovado can make or break your experience. The terrain is challenging: muddy trails, river crossings, rocky beaches, and boat landings where you step directly into the ocean.
Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes are non negotiable for Corcovado. If you are doing the Sirena Station day trip, you will be hiking for several hours through dense jungle, crossing streams, and navigating slippery roots and rocks. Waterproof boots with good ankle support are ideal, but a solid pair of trail runners will also work if you are used to them.
Rubber boots (botas de hule): During the rainy season (May to November), rubber boots are practically mandatory for Corcovado trails. The mud can be knee deep in some sections. The good news is that you can rent rubber boots at the Sirena ranger station, so you do not need to pack a heavy pair in your luggage. Just bring a good pair of hiking socks to wear inside them.
Water shoes or sport sandals are essential for boat landings in Drake Bay. There is no dock, so you will wade through shallow water to get on and off the boat. A pair of Tevas, Chacos, or simple water shoes will protect your feet on the rocky shoreline and dry quickly afterwards. These are also great for the beach and for walking around town.
Leave the flip flops for the lodge. They are fine for showering or walking to dinner, but not suitable for the uneven, often muddy paths around Drake Bay.
Rain Gear and Waterproofing
Rain is a fact of life on the Osa Peninsula. Even during the so called dry season, brief showers can appear with little warning. During the green season (May to November), heavy afternoon downpours are almost a daily event.
A lightweight rain jacket or packable poncho is the single most important item after your footwear. Choose something breathable because a fully waterproof shell will make you sweat heavily in the tropical heat. Many experienced travelers prefer a poncho because it allows more airflow and can also cover your daypack.
Dry bags are absolutely essential. Pack at least two: one large one (20L or bigger) for your clothes and valuables during boat transfers, and a smaller one (5L to 10L) for your phone, camera, and documents during hikes. Remember, every trip to and from Drake Bay involves a boat ride, and waves can splash over the sides. A quality dry bag will save you from a very bad day.
A waterproof phone case (the pouch style that hangs around your neck) lets you take photos and check your phone without worrying about rain or sea spray.
Electronics and Gadgets
Drake Bay is remote. While most lodges have electricity and some offer Wi Fi, the infrastructure is basic compared to other parts of Costa Rica.
A headlamp is one of the most useful things you can bring. The area gets very dark at night, and even walking from dinner back to your cabin can be tricky without one. If you join a Night Walk tour, your guide will provide lighting, but having your own headlamp for the rest of the trip is incredibly handy.
A portable battery pack (at least 10,000 mAh) ensures your phone and camera stay charged. There may not always be an outlet available when you need one, especially during day trips to Corcovado where you are away from your lodge for 10+ hours.
A universal power adapter if you are traveling from outside the Americas. Costa Rica uses Type A and B plugs (the same as the United States and Canada).
Camera and Photography Gear
Drake Bay and Corcovado are a wildlife photographer’s dream. You might spot scarlet macaws, all four species of Costa Rican monkeys, toucans, tapirs, and if you are very lucky, a jaguar. The Corcovado wildlife guide gives you an idea of what to look for.
A camera with a decent zoom lens makes a huge difference. Most wildlife keeps its distance, and a 200mm or 300mm zoom will help you capture incredible shots without disturbing the animals. If you do not have a dedicated camera, a modern smartphone with a good zoom works well for casual photography.
Binoculars are arguably even more important than a camera. Your guide will spot birds and animals high in the canopy or deep in the foliage, and without binoculars, you might miss the best sightings. A compact pair (8×42 or 10×42) is perfect.
Extra memory cards and batteries. You will take far more photos than you expect, and there is no camera shop in Drake Bay.
Documents, Money, and Essentials
This is where many travelers get caught off guard. Drake Bay operates differently from the rest of Costa Rica.
Cash is king. There are no ATMs in Drake Bay, and while some lodges accept credit cards (often with a surcharge), many smaller restaurants, shops, and tour operators work with cash only. Bring enough US dollars or Costa Rican colones to cover your stay. We recommend withdrawing cash in San José, Sierpe, or wherever you are coming from before the boat ride.
Your passport is required for entry to Corcovado National Park. Rangers check identification at the station, so always carry it (or a clear photocopy stored in a waterproof bag) when you go on a Corcovado tour.
Travel insurance documentation. Costa Rica requires proof of travel insurance for entry, and given the remote nature of Drake Bay, having solid coverage (including evacuation) is genuinely important.
Digital copies of everything. Email yourself scans of your passport, insurance, flight tickets, and hotel confirmations. If anything gets lost or waterlogged, you will have backups accessible from any device.
Sun Protection
The tropical sun near the equator is strong, and you will be exposed to it on boat rides, beach days, and open sections of trail.
Reef safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) is a must, especially if you are snorkeling or diving at Caño Island. Costa Rica takes marine conservation seriously, and regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Look for mineral based formulas with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
A wide brimmed hat or a cap with a neck flap keeps the sun off your face and neck during long days outdoors. Choose one with a chin strap so it does not blow away on the boat.
Quality sunglasses with UV protection. Polarized lenses are ideal for reducing glare on the water during boat transfers and snorkeling trips.
Insect Protection
The rainforest comes with bugs. Mosquitoes, sand flies (known locally as “purrujas”), and no see ums are part of the ecosystem.
DEET based insect repellent (at least 30%) or picaridin is your best defense. Natural alternatives like lemon eucalyptus oil work for some people but tend to wear off faster in the humidity.
Long sleeves and pants in the early morning and at dusk will reduce bites significantly. Light colored clothing is less attractive to mosquitoes.
After bite cream or antihistamine tablets help with the itching if you do get bitten. Sand fly bites in particular can be very itchy and last several days.
Medical and Personal Care
There is a small clinic in Drake Bay, but it has limited resources. Pack your own medical basics.
A small first aid kit with bandaids, antiseptic wipes, blister pads (very important for hiking), and any prescription medication you take regularly. The humidity can cause small cuts to heal more slowly, so keeping them clean matters.
Rehydration salts or electrolyte tablets help you stay hydrated in the heat, especially during long hikes in Corcovado.
Anti diarrhea medication and basic stomach remedies. Adjusting to new food and water can sometimes cause digestive issues, and being prepared saves a lot of discomfort.
Personal toiletries in travel sizes. The small shops in Drake Bay carry basic items, but selection is limited and prices are higher than in San José.
Daypack and Bags
A comfortable daypack (20L to 30L) is essential for tours. It needs to be big enough to carry your water, rain gear, camera, snacks, and sun protection, but light enough that it does not weigh you down on a jungle hike.
A larger bag or backpack for your main luggage. If you are flying into Drake Bay on a small domestic plane, there is usually a luggage limit of around 16 kg (35 lbs). Soft sided bags are easier to fit in the small aircraft. If you arrive by boat from Sierpe, luggage restrictions are more relaxed, but your bag will get splashed, so a rain cover or large dry bag over your main luggage is wise.
What You Can Leave at Home
Knowing what not to pack is just as important:
Fancy clothes and jewelry. Drake Bay is casual and outdoorsy. You will not need anything dressy.
Heavy hiking boots if you are visiting in the rainy season. Rubber boots (available for rent) work better in the deep mud than even the best hiking boots.
A hair dryer. The humidity makes it pointless, and many lodges run on limited electricity.
Excessive electronics. This is a place to disconnect and enjoy nature. One phone, one camera, and a battery pack are all you really need.
Quick Reference Packing Checklist
Clothing: moisture wicking shirts (2 to 3), lightweight hiking pants, quick dry shorts (2), swimsuit, light layer for mornings, synthetic underwear and socks (enough for your trip length)
Footwear: hiking boots or trail shoes, water shoes or sport sandals, flip flops for the lodge
Rain gear: lightweight rain jacket or poncho, dry bags (large and small), waterproof phone case
Sun and bug protection: reef safe SPF 50+ sunscreen, wide brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, DEET or picaridin repellent, after bite cream
Electronics: headlamp, portable battery pack, camera with zoom lens, binoculars, extra memory cards and batteries, power adapter if needed
Documents and money: passport (or photocopy), cash in USD or colones (no ATMs in Drake Bay), travel insurance documents, digital copies of everything
Medical: first aid kit with blister pads, rehydration salts, anti diarrhea medication, prescription meds, personal toiletries
Bags: daypack (20 to 30L), soft sided main bag with rain cover
Ready to Explore?
Drake Bay and Corcovado reward those who come prepared. With the right gear in your pack, you can focus on what really matters: the incredible wildlife, the lush jungle trails, and the unforgettable moments that make the Osa Peninsula one of the most special places on the planet.
Check out our complete Drake Bay travel guide for everything you need to know about getting here and planning your stay, and browse our tours page to start building your perfect adventure.
GoCorcovado is based in Bahía Drake, Costa Rica. Our certified naturalist guides lead daily tours to Corcovado National Park, Caño Island, and the wildlife rich forests of the Osa Peninsula. Get in touch to plan your trip.