Térraba-Sierpe Mangroves (Boca Sierpe)
Nature spot · Osa Peninsula
The huge tidal mangrove wetland (a Ramsar site) that the public boats between Sierpe and Drake Bay glide through; look for crocodiles, herons, kingfishers and monkeys along the banks before the river opens to the sea at Boca Sierpe.
- Cost
- about $20
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 4 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 8.77639, -83.63639 — Google Maps
Tip
Take the morning boat, when the water is calm and wildlife is active, and ask your boatman about tide times: the channels are shallow at low tide.
Be careful
Crocodiles live in these channels: keep hands and feet inside the boat, never swim, and wear the life jacket, especially at the river mouth where the sea can be rough.
Getting there
Boat only from the Sierpe dock: the public boat to Drake Bay (1 to 1.5 hours, about US$20 in 2024 per Wikivoyage) or a mangrove tour.
Places nearby
- Aguila de Osa InnStays · takes 5 h–7 h · from $120Small hillside inn above Drake Bay focused on diving, fishing and trips to Corcovado and Caño Island.
- Drake's Kitchen at Casa El TortugoFood & CoffeeFamily-run kitchen by the river bay in Drake Bay: seafood, rice with heart of palm, pasta and casados made by the owners' mother with produce from their own farm.
- Costa Rica Adventure DiversSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 6 h · from $105PADI dive center in Drake Bay running daily scuba and snorkeling trips to Caño Island Biological Reserve.
- Mar y Bosque (restaurant, bakery and tours)Food & CoffeeLocal family's restaurant and bakery at the edge of Drake Bay with views over the water at sunset; known for casados, seafood and smoothies, and the same family sells local tours.
- Pacheco ToursParks & Wildlife · from $35Long-running Drake Bay tour company: Corcovado day trips and overnights, Caño Island snorkeling and diving, a river floating tour and night walks.
- The Divine DolphinTours & Adventure · from $90Drake Bay's original dolphin and whale operator (since 1998) running one specialty trip: a full-day boat tour with marine-science guides, a hydrophone and lunch, with dolphin mega-pods year-round and humpbacks in two seasons.
Sources: Wikidata Q96411761 · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9rraba-Sierpe_Wetland · https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Sierpe · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q96411761