CityOutline guide

Sierpe

District in Osa canton, Puntarenas province, Costa Rica

Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

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.

Sights and activities

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Stone Spheres
See
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.
Price
US$6, US$4 for foreign students, ₡1,000 for nationals
Details

Where to eat, drink and stay

Sleep3 places

Sabalo LodgeMid-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.
Osa Peninsula Eco Lodge Sabalo Lodge
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.
Price
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.
Address
Osa Peninsula
Directions
access by boat from Sierpe
Phone
+506 4001-7866
Website
sabalolodge.com
Eco-Manglares LodgeUS$51-64
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
Price
US$51-64
Address
Main Road, Sierpe
Phone
+506 786-7414
Veragua River Housefrom US$86
Remodeled; spacious grounds with flowers; bungalows; Italian food restaurant; run by Italians.
Price
from US$86
Directions
From the Rio Estero Azul bridge, 900m to the right
Phone
+506 786-7460

Getting there and around

Getting there

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.
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.
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.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Golfito Airport

Golfito · Regional · GLF

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Read before you go to Sierpe

Articles and travel topics about Sierpe and Costa Rica.

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Wikivoyage

Full travel guide

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UnderstandSierpe 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.

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

DoHire 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.

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

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

SleepThere are some nice little bed and breakfasts.

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

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Sierpe" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Sierpe", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Sierpe" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Sierpe", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: User: (WT-shared) Velorian at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Overview

Sights and activities

Stone Spheres