Pura Osa
The short answer
- Best for two days: Costa Ballena (Uvita, Dominical, Ojochal) and Sierpe.
- Needs a long weekend: Drake Bay and Corcovado.
- Leave early. Plan to arrive in daylight and avoid driving back at night.
- Ask for national rates. Parks have them; many tours are priced in dollars.
Getting there: time and cost
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| By car to Uvita | About 175 km, 3.5–4 h without stops, via Route 27 and the Costanera Sur |
| By car to Puerto Jiménez | About 5.5–7 h |
| Bus Tracopa, San José → Dominical | ₡5,550 (Uvita is a little farther: travelers report about ₡6,000–7,500) |
| Bus Tracopa, San José → Palmar Norte / Ciudad Cortés | ₡7,340 / ₡7,700 |
| Bus Tracopa, San Isidro → Palmar Norte | ₡3,980 |
| Bus San José → Sierpe | Departures at 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. via the Costanera (Tracopa schedule) |
| Shared boat Sierpe → Drake | About US$20 per person, cash; leaves Sierpe around 11:30 and 3:30 p.m. |
Bus fares are from Tracopa (tracopacr.com) and the boat price from a traveler report, checked in October 2026. The Uvita fare and all schedules should be confirmed with Tracopa at 2221-4214, since fares and times change. Renting a car in Osa →
Three itineraries
Costa Ballena
Uvita, Marino Ballena, whale tour
Sat: leave early, arrive mid-morning, walk the Whale Tail 2–3 h before low tide, sunset at the beach. Sun: morning whale or dolphin tour, lunch in Ojochal or Dominical, drive back by midafternoon.
Sierpe and the spheres
Sierpe mangrove, Finca 6 Stone Spheres
Sat: bus or car to Sierpe, afternoon mangrove tour, night in Sierpe. Sun: Finca 6 Stone Spheres (open Tuesday to Sunday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., free on weekends), then home.
Drake long weekend
Drake Bay, Corcovado or Caño
Needs 3–4 days. Travel day by bus or car to Sierpe, boat to Drake in the afternoon, one day in Corcovado (San Pedrillo; in October only San Pedrillo and La Leona are open) or Caño, return boat the next morning or afternoon.
Uvita guide → · Sierpe mangrove tour → · Finca 6 → · Drake Bay →
Park fees and typical costs
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Marino Ballena entrance (national adult) | ₡1,130; card only; children under 11 free |
| Corcovado entrance (national) | ₡1,600 per day + tax; guide mandatory and paid separately |
| Caño Island entrance (national) | ₡1,600 adults, ₡500 children; usually included in tours |
| Finca 6 Stone Spheres | Free on Saturdays and Sundays for everyone, until further notice; ₡1,500 Tuesday to Friday for nationals |
| Whale and dolphin tour from Uvita | About US$60–120 per person in dollars; ask about a national rate |
| Budget lodging in Uvita | Hostels about US$21–46 per night in October |
Park fees are SINAC rates for nationals and residents as reported in October 2026; tour and lodging prices are public listings and change by season. National rates for private tours were not published, so ask each operator.
Holidays and long weekends
- Dec 1, 2026 (Tuesday): no bridge, so no long weekend.
- Dec 25–27, 2026 and Jan 1–3, 2027: Friday to Sunday. Book lodging and tours early: it is also peak season.
- Holy Week, March 25–28, 2027: Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, the busiest days of the dry season.
In 2026, holidays are not moved to Mondays. The rules have changed in the past, so confirm with the Ministry of Labor before booking.
Plan the route on the map of OsaOpen map →Frequently asked questions
Can I do Drake Bay and Corcovado in a normal weekend?
It is tight. Drake is 6–8 hours from San José by road and boat or about an hour by plane, so a Saturday–Sunday trip leaves you barely one day on the ground. It works much better on a long weekend, with three or four nights.
Is there a bus to Uvita from San José?
Yes. Buses to the Costa Ballena run from the Tracopa terminal in San José along the Costanera Sur. Tracopa lists Dominical at ₡5,550; travelers report about ₡6,000–7,500 and 4–5 hours to Uvita. Schedules change, so call Tracopa at 2221-4214 before you travel.
Do Costa Ricans pay less for tours?
Park entrances have national rates (for example ₡1,130 for Marino Ballena and ₡1,600 for Corcovado or Caño Island, per adult), but most private tours are priced in dollars. Always ask whether the operator has a national or resident rate; some do, especially around festivals.
Which holidays make a long weekend?
In 2026, holidays are not moved to Monday and are taken on their own date. The long weekends coming up are December 25–27, 2026 and January 1–3, 2027 (both Friday to Sunday), and Holy Week, March 25–28, 2027. December 1, 2026 falls on a Tuesday with no bridge. Confirm with the Ministry of Labor, because the rules have changed before.
Is it better to drive or take the bus?
To Uvita and Dominical both work. A car gives you freedom for the Whale Tail at low tide and for sunrise tours, while the bus saves the cost of fuel and the drive back after dark. For Sierpe and Drake, the bus or a shared shuttle plus the boat is simpler than a car you would have to park.
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