Drake Bay Greenleaf

Our group of six had an extraordinary stay at Drake Bay Greenleaf, hosted by the welcoming family of Hellen, Steven and Vincent. Situated above Drake Bay and close to Corcovado National Park, the resort offers great vistas and ready access to many activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, birding as well as tours of Corcovado National Park, waterfalls and a mangrove. We toured a private property with two waterfalls, snorkeled, spent time at the beach, visited Corcavado National Park, did a nighttime hike and went on a bird-watching tour, all expertly arranged by Hellen. Hellen is a native of Drake Bay and works with the best guides in the area. Gustavo was our guide for the national park, nighttime hike and bird tour and we cannot thank him enough for sharing his knowledge of local history, animals and botany with us. Bordering the national park and the Pacific Ocean, the area is teeming with brilliantly colored birds, wildlife, vegetation and a welcoming environment. While at the resort, we encountered tapirs, a coati, white-faced and howler monkeys, as well as numerous birds. We are not birders, but were amazed by the variety and beauty of bird species endemic to this area. Drake Bay Greenleaf is an intimate resort with three bungalows and a pavilion/dining area; all with stunning views. Meals were included in our stay and the chef was excellent, providing us with one phenomenal gastronomic experience after another. Thank goodness for the daytime activities to burn some calories. We had a unique, relaxing and wonderful experience and highly recommend the Drake Bay Greenleaf as your destination if you are traveling to the Drake Bay Area of Costa Rica.

There are not enough stars to give Drake Bay Greenleaf, nor words or pictures to do it justice. It's an experience to be had. We were greeted warmly by owner, Hellen, who said, "Welcome to your home," and she means it. The grounds and casitas are immaculate. You are truly perched within the jungle, but Hellen somehow manages to keep any "uninvited guests" out of the rooms. Waking up to the birds chirping and view of the ocean and falling asleep to the stars and crickets is just magical. The food is like Michelin star meals three times a day. While our trip to Corcovado was amazing, it was an experience to simply sit outside after dinner and meet Chi Chi, the resident tapir. We saw coatis, tucans, and a many other beautiful birds on the property. One of our favorite adventures was walking part of the Drake Bay Hiking Trail which is easily accessible from the property. What truly makes Drake Bay Greenleaf special is Hellen. Nothing is too much trouble and she will do anything and everything to make sure your stay is perfect and comfortable. She coordinates everything and you don't have to worry about a thing. By the end of our time, I had made a lifelong friend in Hellen. Our time at Drake Bay Greenleaf is something we'll never forget.

Outstanding hospitality, amazing wildlife, wonderful location! This was our first and by far best stay during our 1-month trip through Costa Rica. Steve and Hellen are wonderful hosts with in-depth local knowledge on all sort of topics. My sister and I felt right at home and regret that we stayed only 5 nights. The food and overall service was excellent. Rooms were super clean and spacious, the location is very peaceful with a wonderful view over the bay. On the premises of the property we were greeted by all the wildlife you find in Corcovado National Park. Wonderful hiking trails along the coast with many natural non-crowded beaches were another plus. The place to be in Drake Bay and in Costa Rica. Looking forward to come back and stay much longer next time.