Hi everyone - I've searched through topics here and haven't quite seen this question - I've been trying to figure out where to stay on the Osa Peninsula, and I can't figure out what the difference is between the Drake Bay side and the Carate side, and my guidebook (Moon) isn't very helpful in that regard. It pretty much just lists the hotels on both sides. Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp sounded like a good bet, but then I heard about Casa Corcovado over on the Drake Bay side.

It will be just me and my 7-year-old son, and I'd want to hang out on the beach and go into the park with a guide, maybe some gentle sea kayaking too, a few hikes, but definitely lots of beach time, and lots of seeing animals, and whatever seems fun for him. I'd prefer not to stay in too fancy of a place, since I'm splurging on the Peace Lodge our last night, and I think he'd enjoy the tent camp idea. But now I'm not sure of the differences on the peninsula.

Is it the water? Do you see more animals on one side than the other? Is one side easier to get to? Or is it all the same, and it just depends on which hotel you want to stay in? (We'll be there in mid-July if that matters.) Any insight is greatly appreciated!

There is a difference between the two places. Carate is more difficult to get to. There are very few other places in that area. Not much to do other than hiking and horseback riding. It is very hot there. The ocean is really too rough for kayaking and even swimming should be carefully monitored. There are rips. I had a lot of fun body surfing, I just didn't go out very far. I enjoyed staying at the tent camp (I never turn down a chance at quality hammock time with a good book) but don't know if a 7yr old would. There are some monkeys around and the scarlet macaws fly back and forth along the beach.

I have only read 1 report from someone who was not all that happy at Casa Corcovado. Other than that, most people seem very happy with it. To add to the adventure be sure to take the boat from Sierpe through the mangroves if you choose this side. I haven't stayed there yet but it is high on my list for some day. I did stay at La Paloma in DB. A lot more opportunities for things to do in DB compared to Carate.

Have you looked at Pearl of the Osa or its slightly more expensive neighbor Iguana Lodge? Both are owned by the same people. I have stayed there several times. Don't let the idea of the Pearl having a bar scare you off. It closes early and the food and company is usually really good and a lot of fun. The rooms are pretty small and basic in their furnishings but comfortable enough. The rooms at the Iguana are larger and nicer and food is included. The main draw is that it is right on the beach. The beach is beautiful and the hotels have sea kayaks for the guests to use. Do be careful when the high tide is coming in as the water can be pretty rough at that time. There are some great horseback rides you can take (not the local one that is just behind the hotels) and there is a fun kayak outfit just down the road called Escondido Trek. The mangrove tour does have monkeys usually and last year we actually were kayaking with dolphins because they were following the fishing boats as they came in (around 3pm). The mangrove trip is tide dependent and can only be done during high tide. It is safe to kayak at that time. Puerto Jimenez is just a 10 minute taxi ride. The biggest downside for us is that there is no place to really hike nearby. It really is a beach destination. Lots of good birds and monkeys in the mangroves.

Suzi - thanks so much for your detailed response! I did some more research after I posted my question, and have been emailing a few places in Osa. It did seem that getting to Carate would be a little more labor-intensive, which is fine, but seemed to add to the cost of staying there, and then nothing seemed like quite what I was looking for.

So I kept doing research and Trip Advisor had many stellar reviews of Las Caletas Lodge in Drake Bay, and what many of the travellers mentioned was the owners 7-year-old son. I checked out their website, and emailed. They emailed me back within minutes. (I emailed Corcovado Tent Lodge 3 times in the last 2 weeks, and finally heard back a few days ago. I emailed them a question right back and I'm still waiting for the answer days later.)

Anyway, it turns out our sons ages are 2 months apart. Since it's just me and my son travelling, knowing there will be a built-in playmate, other than me, means a lot! The price is right and even getting there sounds like it'll be fun for him (by boat, as opposed to riding in the back of a truck, etc. to get to Carate from Puerto Jiminez.) So we're going to go to the Drake Bay side, and thank you for your post, because it's making me feel better about my choice. And maybe next time we visit we'll go to Carate. Also, funny you mentioned the bar at the Pearl, because I think I read somewhere that the rooms are above the bar, and that did scare me off!

I am sure you will have a great time. DB is a very pretty area and how nice that your son will have a built in playmate! Don't know about your son but I know MOM is going to like Peace Lodge . I am sure he will enjoy it too.

The Iguana lodge/Pearl kids have pretty much grown up now and last I heard were off to boarding school in the states after years of homeschooling on the beach. When there were kids staying at the lodge they hung out with them and I am sure it made a difference to both the visiting kids as well as the Iguanas kids. I think they do get a little lonely for companionship when living in out of the way places like that.

I have been hearing more and more complaints about Costa Rica Expeditions and their lack of response. They used to be one of the top companies down there but it sounds like they might have slipped a little. We used them for several trips and had one person that helped us each time. It was great because after awhile he was on the lookout for more places that he knew we would like.

Buen Viaje

Hi we stayed at La Paloma in drake bay and loved it. We had our three kids with us age 16, 14 and 10.