Sierpe

Sierpe is a small town at the base of the Osa Peninsula in South Pacific Costa Rica. Known for being the place where you catch a boat to Drake Bay, it also offers riverside dining and mangrove tours, and is pleasantly walkable. Warning: There are no ATMs in Sierpe or Drake Bay, and some businesses (especially the cheaper accommodations) don't take cards.

Understand

A view of Sierpe across the river

Sierpe is a little town close to Corcovado National Park, and at the edge of the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland. It has only a few thousand inhabitants. Everything in town is within a couple blocks of the Rio Sierpe, which is influenced by the sea tides.

Get in

By bus

There are buses from San Jose all the way to Sierpe once or twice a day (search for Tracopa company), which takes 5-7 hours.

Otherwise, if arriving from any direction by bus you'll have to change buses in Palmar Norte, a slightly bigger town not far from Sierpe. As of 2024, this is your last chance to go to an ATM if you're headed for either Sierpe or Drake Bay. Tracopa runs many buses per day between San Jose and Palmar Norte (5-6 hours, about $15 as of Oct 2024).

As of October 2024, the public bus between Palmar Norte and Sierpe runs seven times a day (fewer on Sundays) for just $1 (500 colones), with the first departure to Sierpe at 5am and the last at 5:15pm. It normally takes about half an hour.

By shuttle

An easy (but expensive) way to get to Sierpe from/to San Jose, Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, and Ojochal is Easy Ride Shuttle Services. They run twice a day both ways with modern vans, professional drivers, air-con.

When arriving back in Sierpe by boat from Drake, you'll be met by a taxi man offering you a collective shuttle ride direct to Palmar Norte for 3000 colones ($6) per person - six times the price of the public bus. This is really only worthwhile if you're in a big hurry, don't want to walk the three blocks to the bus station and wait for the bus, or really want something a little more comfortable.

By Taxi

From Palmar Norte there will be scammers offering you to bring you to Sierpe for ₡8,000 or USD15. Once the taxi driver comes, he will turn on the meter and ignore the previous deal from the scammer. Get off immediately to avoid dramas. (As of 2024, there are also taxis that really do charge $15 for the whole car, and your accommodations in Sierpe may be able to arrange something even cheaper.

By boat

As of October 2024, there are public boats from Drake Bay to Sierpe at 7:15am and 2:30pm every day for $20 or 1,100 colones per person, leaving from the beach in front of Roberto's restaurant. You may need to reserve a spot with your Drake Bay accommodation the day before (especially if you need pickup somewhere else on the bay), but you don't pay until you're on the boat. Most people will be doing this as a return trip. The boats leave Sierpe to Drake Bay at 11:30am and 4pm from the dock of Donde Jorge restaurant, and do not require a reservation.

The boat ride takes 1-1.5 hours, and often leaves about 10 minutes late.

See

Scarlet Macaw

• 1 Stone Spheres. These mysterious stone spheres in pre-columbian chiefdom settlements made by unknown people have been discovered in the Valle de Diquis area around Sierpe. The settlements with the spheres are a UNESCO World Heritage site. See them first-hand to develop your own theory about their history. The site is located between Palmar Norte and Sierpe at place called Finca 6. US$6, US$4 for foreign students, ₡1,000 for nationals. (updated May 2019)

Do

Hire a water taxi and ride over the river from Sierpe to Corcovado National Park. You will go from the river mouth into the sea. You will pass some mangroves on the way to the park. Depending on your budget you can choose from two different stopping points. Be prepared to get your feet wet.

Buy

The town has no ATMs, and not all business take cards.

The cozy restaurant/bar has a souvenir shop.

Eat

There is one large restaurant in the village largely frequented by locals. It's close to the central park.

Sleep

There are some nice little bed and breakfasts.

• Estero Azul Lodge +506 786-7422. On the banks of the Sierpe River; guided tours; individual bungalows; restaurant; run by North Americans.
• Hotel Pargo Rojo +506 786-6092. Cheap; Tico restaurant; private boat tours; in Sierpe town; car-watching service.
• Río Sierpe Lodge +506 225-8553. Accessible only by boat; especially for divers, fishers, and eco-adventurers; day tours; package rates for multiple nights; at mouth of Sierpe River close to Isla Violin.
• Sabalo Lodge (Osa Peninsula Eco Lodge Sabalo Lodge), Osa Peninsula (access by boat from Sierpe), ☏ +506 4001-7866, info@sabalolodge.com. A lodge located in a delicate ecosystem, dedicated to preserving it. Onsite: Sabalo's private waterfall, horseback riding in the mountainous rain forest, kayaking in the mangroves, and miles of hiking trails. Only 12 guests at a time. Mid-Nov–April: Beach House US$150/person up to 7 (single $200); Tree House $130 pp up to 4 ($145 single); Bungalow $130 double ($145 single); Mariposa $115/person up to 3 ($135 single); glamping cabins $95 pp up to 12 ($105 single). Children 8-12 ½ price. May–mid-Nov: $10-20 discount off these prices. Tent platforms: $20/person (includes a screened wood platform with bamboo structure and canvas roof.) Bring your own tent, mattress and cooking supplies. Camping: $10/person. Rancho on beach with sink available at no charge.. (updated Dec 2017)
• Eco-Manglares Lodge, Main Road, Sierpe, ☏ +506 786-7414. Offers day tours of Drake Bay, Corcovado Park, and Caño Island; mangrove estuary boat rides and fishing trips; bungalow hotel; rustic wood rooms; restaurant. 5 rooms US$51-64. (updated Dec 2017)
• Veragua River House (From the Rio Estero Azul bridge, 900m to the right), ☏ +506 786-7460. Remodeled; spacious grounds with flowers; bungalows; Italian food restaurant; run by Italians. from US$86. (updated Dec 2017)

Connect

Cell signal (4G) is generally pretty good in Sierpe.

Go next

At Sierpe's central park there is a bus stop, but there is no schedule for buses. Instead, just ask the locals when a bus is departing and make sure you're on time as the bus might only arrive and depart once per day.