Vista Drake Lodge

47 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2024

Robert

It’s funky but great to have both AC and a mosquito net. Basic washroom with a cold shower. Sometimes a bit noisy in the morning when all the atv’s and motorcycles start but that’s because the locals are up even earlier getting ready for the day’s tourist expeditions. Close to restaurants and the beach. Would definitely stay again

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

18 Feb 2024

Elizabeth

Very noisy, the reception area was right under our room and there were chinks of light coming through the floorboards as well into the next room. You could actually see into the next room The water shut off randomly but the AC was awesome. Pretty much what you would expect for under $50/night.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Feb 2020

Verified traveler

Great stay at Vista Drake

Staff was super helpful and friendly. Drinkable water was provided at no cost. We received an upgrade because a nicer cabin was available. Would stay there again.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

Great view over the Pacific.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Mar 2019

Susan

Remote Slice of Paradise

Just back from a lovely stay at Vista Drake Lodge, Drake Bay. We stayed for 4 nights in a fabulous bungalow with a veranda overlooking the bay. This is a very special place and worth the effort to get to. Drake is a remote little town of back roads and is dusty and dirty with no jetty to jump onto when you get off the boat from Sierpe. However, you are essentially in the jungle surrounded by wildlife so embrace that style of adventure and enjoy it. Emilio is a great host and super helpful in organising tours for you. We highly recommend the Corcovado guided tour and Canò Island snorkelling whilst there, for food go to Claudios grill. There's no aircon but there is a hardly fan. Once you've done your tours jump in those hammocks on the balcony and chill. Only downside are the noise of the motorbikes up and down the street. Do yourself a favour and book into this rugged paradise. Ps take a torch!

Friends

8/10

Excellent

25 Feb 2019

Andrea

A family-run cabin with personal attention!

Emilio was fantastic in helping us book all of our tours and to enjoy our stay in Bahia Drake! He even gave us his personal contact number and we were able to write him at any time with any doubts or questions. Just to let travelers know, Bahia Drake in general is a lot of hills with almost no accommodations directly on the beach, so please take that into account when deciding to go to the area and be aware that you may need to walk up/down hill. :) We really loved our stay in Bahia Drake with Vista Drake, thank you!

Family

4/10

Poor

22 Feb 2019

Verified traveler

Not friendly at all.

Not friendly at all.

Xxxxxxx

10/10

Exceptional

21 Apr 2017

Verified traveler

Great place

Great place to stay. Very clean and awesome staff. Walls a little thin but not problem. Was upgraded to a nicer room before I arrived. Emilio was the best and super helpful with tour help to Corcovado.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

20 Feb 2017

Verified traveler

Drake Vista Lodge was very close to the beach where we were to catch an early boat. Owner friendly and helpful. They provided water and breakfast prior to our departure.

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jan 2017

Jeremy

Amazing hosts and beautiful view

Not only was the view incredible and the beach only a couple of steps away, but Emilio and Alberto could not have been more friendly or helpful! Amazing tours and amazing company! Five stars!!

6/10

Pleasant

19 Dec 2016

benjamin

This lodge is just OK. Drake Bay is not the sort of place to see luxury accommodation so expectations are lower, but I cant help feeling like there would have been better options for the money. The room was a little disappointing on first impressions and although we only stayed for a couple of nights considered looking at other accommodation whilst there. Service was ok. Two of the lads are great and are really helpful where as others don't speak. I wish I could say better things, but wont be rushing back here and would look elsewhere if we return to Drake.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

23 Nov 2016

Verified traveler

Good for the money. Nothing special.

Nice hotel if you know Spanish. Free breakfast is a big plus.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2015

cynthia

Wonderful stay at Vista Drake Lodge

We had a very pleasant stay at Vista Drake. A woodsy little lodge, it was our favorite lodge out of all the places we stayed. The staff and owner very knowledgable about the area and tours etc. Our room was cozy and clean with comfortable beds. The only negative thing is that you could hear through walls, floors etc very clearly so it could be quite noisy at times but everything was always quiet during night and we slept well. There are some small restaurants, grocery stores and of course the beautiful Drake Bay within short walking distance.

Family

8/10

Excellent

24 Feb 2015

Matt

Nice stay at Vista Drake

I stayed at the Vista Drake for 5 nights in February. Vista Drake is a pleasant guest house & I was really pleased with my cabin which was on a hill with a nice view of the bay. There are 3 cabins up a small hill from the main house which I would recommend trying to get if possible. I'm not sure what the other rooms are like but I believe there are some at the main guest house. The guest house is run Emilio and his family, Emilio was very helpful and very willing to help book tours etc.

Breakfast is provided, albeit a little bit basic but not too bad. Rooms where cleaned everyday. This is certainly a reasonable priced place to stay.

6/10

Pleasant

29 Jan 2015

Verified traveler

Rustic, close to the road. Ok for the price. Probably would choose a different place next time

8/10

Excellent

13 Dec 2014

Mr Anthony

Excellent base in Drakes Bay

A lovely place, close to restaurants, supermarket, beaches and trails. Very friendly, english speaking owner. Room very spacious and comfortable. Good, varied breakfast.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2014

Tobi

Everything was great and the staff was helpful.

Great place in a beautiful and desolate space. Emanuel helped us with everything and made a great brakefast. Drake Bay and the park is totally natural.

6/10

Pleasant

17 Mar 2014

Verified traveler

spring break

The hotel owner is extremely nice and very helpful. I highly recommend arriving by boat. We took a car, it's about a 2 hour drive on a rough dirt road with several river crossings. Drake is a beautiful place, such a small town. If you are looking for some where to go that isn't extremely touristy I highly recommend it staying here!!

8/10

Excellent

02 Feb 2014

Björn och Petra

Very friendly management

Emilio is the best hotel manager we had in Costa Rica. Very friendly and helpful. Vista Drake lodge has a good location in Drake bay. We stayed on top of the breakfast room and it was a bit noisy, but the room was big and clean. As a budget alternative we give Vista Drake lodge the best recommendation.

Partner

2/10

Poor

02 Feb 2014

Verified traveler

BUYER BEWARE! Do Not Stay Here.This picture isn't even his lodge

My family of four arrived at Emilio's after a very long, bumpy car ride to Drake Bay. I had e-mailed him to ask about how best to get there, and he hadn't e-mailed me back. I had booked a room that would sleep four and had AC called a chalet. When we arrived, very road weary after 7 hours in the car, Emilio told us that he had given our room away. I showed him the confirmed booking, but he told us he didnt have a room for us. When we told him we werent leaving, he called to find us another place, he found one and expected us to leave. Then my husband asked to speak to the owner of this place, and he told my husband that he DIDNT have a room for us. We then had no choice but to pay the exact same rate and stay in a tiny room with a double and a twin for 4 adult sized people! There is NO room to move with those 2 beds in there! It was an awful 2 nights! The AC didn't work the first night, and the sheets stank of mildew. There were a lot of tears. What a heart-breaking way to end a costly vacation. The picture he posts is not his property. The chalets are two tiny cabins with a shared outhouse with a toilet, and the third place on the top of his hill is a tent. Emilio is of course very helpful in booking trips to Corcovado Nation Park, and sent me an e-mail ahead of time to ask if I wanted to book a trip. He does respond to those e-mails because he books the boat and park guide, and provides the food. He DIDNT help me with my question of how best to get to his place. Had I known that I didnt have to drive to Drake Bay, I wouldnt have had to rent a very costly 4 wheel drive. When we booked a trip to the park, he took advantage of us again and charged my family $20.00 dollars more for the EXACT same trip he had booked for another guest the day before, except that we didnt stay as long at the park as the other guest. I was told my trip was more since I was going at 5am, but the other group left then too. It was an awful experience.

8/10

Excellent

01 Feb 2014

Mario

nice house

Its quite good and worth this money

Family

2/10

Poor

24 Jan 2014

Verified traveler

Do not stay here, better values around town

The property is misrepresented, way too much money, it should be worth a third of the money they are asking. Paper thin walls (we could hear the guests next door coughing, talking, snoring), no view, cocroaches and ants in the room, water ran out while my husband was showering. Owner is pushy about tours. We had a reservation for two days but since the place was so awful found a place with exellent accomodations and views right next door, for a lot less money!!! We wanted our money back for the second night but owner refused and after arguing for a while gave us back only a partial refund. The next day, he made us sign an invoice stating that we had stayed 2 nights for the cost of the first night, plus what he withheld of the second night. He said it was necessary to sign it so he could get his payment from Hotels.com, but we think he only wanted to save his rump in case we complained.

Family

4/10

Poor

16 Jul 2013

John W.

Out in the Boondocks

If you ever want to go to the end Costa Rica, like the end of the world, then go here. One hour and half over a dirt road crossing streams and almost rivers. You must have a 4 wheel drive. The one restruant we ate at was horrible. We left a day early there was nothing there unless you wanted to hike. We could not reach our room because of stairs up a mountain. We ended up in a carport room with no windows.The only good thing is we have a story to tell.

8/10

Excellent

13 Mar 2013

Verified traveler

wish I had more than 4 days really needed a week!

great family business they took care of any needs you had

8/10

Excellent

28 Feb 2013

Mike

Very friendly staff with decent accomadations

Very friendly staff that goes out of there way to make sure you have a good time.
Great breakfast! My room had no A/C but had a big fan that helped with the heat
this time of year.

6/10

Pleasant

16 Feb 2013

Verified traveler

Nice family owned lodge

dining average rating so not affect the score, but no dining at this location. Very nice near by.

6/10

Pleasant

15 Feb 2013

Harry Morgan

Vista Drake Lodge

Drake Bay is very isolated and access is by boat from Sierpe or a rough road requiring four wheel drive. That said, it is a beautiful bay with access to Corcovado Park by a one hour boat ride, or a very rough four wheel drive trip.
Emilio, at Vista Drake lodge is very helpful with making all necessary arrangements for all the various tours or activities available. The lodge has two air conditioned rooms, one small and a larger one with a kitchenette, but neither with a view. There are also several non- air conditioned rooms up a steep walk with fantastic ocean views. These rooms are open designed with mosquito netting over the beds. AC is really not needed. The lodge is located halfway downhill from the main street and the beach, about a hundred yards each way. All things considered, this lodge is a good value for couples or families.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

18 May 2025

Andre

Good location but with very old facilities

The place has a good location in the city, but all the facilities (kitchen and appliances) are very old and nothing like the photos.
Also the hosts don’t give any information about the place and activities…. just give you the key and you are on your own.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

11 Mar 2024

Jessica

Ça a été très compliqué pour avoir notre chambre (1- parce que Google Map ne nous amenait pas au bon endroit; 2- parce que la personne a la réception ne parlait pas anglais, ni français; 3- parce que notre chambre n’était pas prête même si l’heure d’arrivée était passée). Nous avions pris 2 nuits et nous avons manqué de papier de toilette…..
cela dit, l’emplacement est pratique, avec cuisine complète et salle de lavage dans notre villa avec balcon. Endroit propre.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Mar 2020

Eric

Lost in paradise

Vista drake lodge is amazing. We stayed for 4 nights. We even got an upgrade to one of the lodges! The views from there are amazing overlooking drake bay and you just want to chill on the porch in your personal hammock forever.

The lodgings are in the center of town and everything can be reached by foot. Emmanuel also hosts a lot of tours, gives great advice and we got a special breakfast on the day we left which was super nice!

We did some diving on cano island (highly recommended) and went to rio ajuitas with a kayak. The waves on the ocean are tricky (you'll get wet). But uf you do this an hour before sunset you have good chances to see monkeys jumping from one side of the river to the other and get a real jungle experience.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

28 Aug 2018

Verified traveler

Eigenaar zeer vriendelijk en behulpzaam!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Mar 2018

Johannes

Genieten van het uitzicht

Prachtige locatie, mooi uitzicht over de baai. Eigenaar is vriendelijk en behulpzaam. Geen etensfaciliteiten, behalve ontbijt en dat is goed. Het is schoon en goed onderhouden. Je ziet hier rustiger dan in de straat beneden, vanwege de regelmatig langskomende motoren en auto's

Partner

8/10

Excellent

15 Aug 2017

Elisa

Gracias Emilio!

Dueño muy amable en negocio familiar. Muy servicial y dispuesto a ayudar. Nos prestó botas de agua para ir a Corcovado en época lluviosa, un gran favor porque los zapatos hubieran quedado inutilizables. Dispone de cabañas con vistas impresionantes!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Apr 2017

Eduardo

Vista insuperable

Vista perfecta de la bahia, acceso complicado, instalaciones sencillas, precio altísimo por ser Semana Santa, recomendado ir en otras fechas!

Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Dec 2016

Verified traveler

Tres bon séjour

Séjour agreable dans cette cabine avec vue sur la mer. Accueil très chaleureux et serviable. Moustiquaire au-dessus du lit. Seul bémol les serviettes de bain tachées de peintures.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Aug 2015

Verified traveler

Traumhaft..

Wunderschoen.. die anreise mit dem schiff war ein erlebnis. Emilio hat uns in empfang genommen und in die unterkunft gebracht. Auf dem weg dahin sind und die ersten papageien begegnet. Ein einmaliges naturparadies und eine reise wert. Emilio hat sich um alles gekuemmert, z.b. die waesche getrocknet.. und uns sogar im regen zum boot begleitet. Rundum schoen..

Family

6/10

Pleasant

16 Feb 2015

Merci au patron

L’hôtel n'est pas un exemple de confort, notamment concernant la chambre du bas qui est vieille, pas entretenue, humide etc... Disons que l'on est chez l'habitant.
De l'autre les gérants de l'hôtel sont des gens formidables, attachants et la main sur le cœur. Le patron vous donnera les bons coins à visiter sans vous ruiner! De plus il est très engagé sur la situation de son village, de son hôtel, de la gestion des déchets et tous les problèmes liés à l’afflux croissant des touristes. Prenez le temps de discuter avec lui, il vous ouvrira les yeux sur son pays et son engagement.

8/10

Excellent

15 Feb 2015

Verified traveler

Chambre agréable et gérant très disponible

Emplacement pratique, a 100 mètres de la plage où le bateau depuis Sierpe dépose les passagers et du quartier comprenant les restaurants et magasins. Emilio, le gérant est très disponible et de bons conseils. Café, eau et même citronnade l'après midi sont en libre service. Nous avions réservés initialement la chambre caberna mais le gérant nous a laissé le choix avec une autre chambre disponible, la chambre Jacobin. Heureusement car la caberna est au rdc et semblait humide et peu lumineuse. De plus, elle donne sur la terrasse de réception et du petit déjeuner. La jacobin est au 1er étage et est très spacieuse et lumineuse. Elle donne aussi au dessus de l'accueil mais cela ne nous a pas dérangé. De multiples serviettes et shampooing sont disponibles, ce qui n'est pas toujours le cas au Costa Rica.Un bémol, la construction semble être faite a la va-vite et l'isolation phonique entre les chambres est inexistante. Il est même possible d'apercevoir la chambre voisine entre certaines planches. En dehors de ce petit défaut, nous avons passés un très agréable séjour sur place et nous avons apprécié la disponibilité du gérant.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Sep 2014

michiel

What a great place, such a nice host

With a family of 4 from the Neatherlands we planned to stay for 3 days but ended up staying a week at Vista Drake. Nice rooms, nice food, great trips .It was special to go and visit Alfredo, living in the middle of the jungle. We had a waterfall massage there and learned a lot about plants. We hope to someday go back to Vista Drake.

6/10

Pleasant

28 Apr 2014

Detlef

Schnell wieder weg

Wir fanden unser Zimmer (die Bungalows scheinen den Berwertungen nach von einer anderen Qualität zu sein) grauenhaft: keine fenster, sonder nur Fliegengitter. Kein Spiegel im Bad. Dielenboden, durch die man in den Frühstückbereich herunter schauen konnte.Und Zimmerwänder, durch die man teilweise ins Nachbarzimmer schauen konnte. Dazu eine extrem durchgelegene Matratze, wie ich sowas noch nie erlebt habe.

10/10

Exceptional

19 Apr 2014

Julia und Felix

Familiäre Atmosphäre mit perfekter Aussicht

Familiäre Atmosphäre mit perfekter Aussicht über die Drake Bay. Emilio, lulu und die ganze Familie waren tolle Gastgeber die sich super um Ihre Gäste kümmern und sehr hilfsbereit sind. So konnten hier auch (kurzfristig) Touren gebucht werden. Zimmer sind sauber und schön mit perfekten Ausblick. JEDERZEIT GERNE WIEDER!!!

8/10

Excellent

04 Apr 2014

Laure

Bien placé, Emilio sympa mais pas de grand confort

En plein centre de Bahia Drake (c'est un grand mot peut etre... :-)), le propriétaire est sympa. Par contre pas d'eau chaude (y en a t il besoin?), pas \"d'isolation\", on voit à travers les lattes qui entourent la chambre, peu d'intimité... Mais on va à Bahia Drake pour vivre le Corcovado!

Family

8/10

Excellent

23 Mar 2014

Joseph

Chambre rustique, personnel très serviable

Chambre rustique (pas de clim et de télé) sauf une chambre à la clim.
La salle de bain et les w.c. sont dans la chambre.
Le petit déj : assiette de fruits (papaye, banane, pastèque, ananas)
Thé, café, lait, confiture.
Omelette,\"Casado\"
Le personnel Sympas et très serviable.
La plage est à ~400 m en bas d'une petite côte (mais ce n'est pas la plus belle).
Quand vous êtes face à la plage et que vous partez à droite, direction l'aérodrome, faite ~ 5 ou 8 km il y a une toute petite lagune avec (un peu de chance) des crocodiles, des capucins et des boas.
Au village même, il y a souvent des Aras.
Toujours à partir de la plage, mais cette fois-ci à gauche, un petit sentier s'enfonce dans les bois, puis à environ 1 km un pont suspendu et après plusieurs, petites et belles plages (attention certaines décentes vites).
On peut y rencontrer des singes hurleurs, Toucan, Morphos et j'en passe.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2014

Pauline P

Proprio très serviable

Très bien. Seul le petit déjeuner est à améliorer.

10/10

Exceptional

11 Feb 2014

Verified traveler

nahezu beste Lage in der Bucht

Überaus engagiertes hilfsberites und kontaktfreudiges Betreiber. Bei allen Touren Ab- und Anreisen ist es emfehlenswert auf die Betreiber zuzugehen. Emfehlenswert ist es hier auch eine Hütte zu mieten, so hat man den Blick über die gesamte bucht und kann auf die Baumkronen schauen wo sich eine vielzahl Paradiesischer Vögel tummeln. Wir waren 5 Tage dort, und rückblickend hätte ich am liebsten die ganze zeit dort verbracht (ehrlich). Thanks to Eric, Emilio & Co!!!

8/10

Excellent

12 Jan 2014

Greg

80 square meters!

Our \"room\" was a suite of 80 Square meters(!) with a large bathroom and our own kitchen. High above Sealevel, with Sea front view. No A/C but 2 large Fans. Close (<100 meters) to the Beach in Drake bay, but about 20 min stroll to the really great Beaches on the Western Coast. The Hotel is close to Restaurants and \"Supermarkets\" in Drake Bay. Breakfast OK, but not overwhelming.

Family

4/10

Poor

19 Jan 2013

Melina

buena ubicacion, infraestructura precaria

Bahia Drake y Corcovado son bellisimos, pero no volveria a quedarme en este hotel. No hay privacidad, la infraestructura es honestamente mala y ademas estaban en construccion. Si viaja con poco presupuesto hay otras opciones. Algo positivo de este lugar es que Elbert, quien fue nuestro guia en Sirena, es muy agradable y trabajador.