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Best Place in Drake

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Terrace/patio
Exterior
Property grounds
Food and drink
Interior

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Best Place in Drake

The Banana Veranda House is in the beating heart of Drake Bay, a well known gathering place for celebrations by the home owner and her friends. Private but close to everything in Drake, restaurants, grocery stores, tours, the beach and trails. Guests enjoy walking a few steps to the boats, bars and restaurants. Support our local economy by booking all your tours and activities with us, from Corcovado, to scuba, snorkeling and sport fishing with the best local guides and fishermen. Sweeping views of Drake are unmatched from the patio. Humpback whales breech, tides ebb and flow, distant weather are experienced from the Mack Daddy of all houses in Drake Bay.

The house, like Drake, is authentic, traditional and truly, unapologetically and purposely Costa Rican. The larger living space is outdoors as that's where you should be when in paradise. Inside is built out of traditional materials with hardwood floors and walls throughout. There's a bathroom in the house and one just outside. As well as an indoor shower we have two outside with one bamboo rainforest one overlooking the bay so you can wash with an ocean view. The living room and kitchen is designed to be open, I believe the cook should always be part of the party and the conversation, so my hatch with a view is my favourite thing. This is a place to gather, reconnect and enjoy company.

This is also the perfect place to host a retreat or reunion by combining our other two properties and sleep up to 14 people.

Jose will help show you around and organize and book your tours for you. He will take extra good care of you and help with anything you may need.

He can meet you at the beach if you arrive by boat from Sierpe. You can also fly in to the nearby Drake Airport on Sansa Airlines and take a beautiful short taxi drive to us. Driving is the ultimate jungle adventure, you'll need a 4x4 and the last gas station is at Chacarita, where you turn off the Interamerican Highway. There's secure off street parking and we're always nearby in case you need something or for an emergency.

Bahia Drake is a small village. No Starbucks, no traffic, and no worries. The coffee is good in Drake.

Drake Bay is on the national power grid and electricity is reliable but occasionally there is a power outage. If you use a c-pap machine or another medical devise that requires electricity it would be advisable to carry a backup battery unit. This would be good advice for traveling anywhere in Central America.

There are no banks or ATMs, so plan accordingly!!

There are 12 or more small restaurants and 2 small super markets within walking distance. Offering typical Costa Rican fare, seafood, pizza, chicken, etc.

We recommend booking any tours directly with us and we will see to it that you get top local guides only. Tours booked through us are same price as everyone and all tours are run by locals. We can usually get you on tours when none are available. Help support the local economy of Drake Bay.

Questions contact Sue on + 506 6282 0434. Using WA is best.

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Please check with hosts
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Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Outside away from the house

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Note from host: Please check with hosts
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Drake Bay

Located in Drake Bay, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Finca 6 Archaeological Site is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Corcovado National Park and Playa Colorada. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in Drake BayOpens in a new window
Map
Drake Bay, Puntaranas

What's nearby

  • Playa Colorada - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • School & Soccer Field - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Drake Bay Beach - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Drake Bay Hiking Trailhead - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Corcovado National Park - 16 min drive - 8.1 km

Getting around

  • Drake Bay (DRK) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Coco Café - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Claudio's Grill - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Marea Alta - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Roberto's Marisquería - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Restaurante Casa El Tortugo - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Best Place in Drake pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at Best Place in Drake?

As of 28 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Best Place in Drake on 23 June 2026 start from AU$483, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Best Place in Drake?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Best Place in Drake?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Best Place in Drake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Best Place in Drake located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Drake Bay Beach, Playa Colorada and School & Soccer Field. Drake Bay Hiking Trailhead and Cocalito are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 14 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 14 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 14 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

5.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Linda T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jose who takes care of the property and guest excursions was great. He was reliable and helpful.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

katherine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Good experience overall.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rosalyn B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Drakes Bay

Fabulous location and a fantastic place to explore the area from. Property had all we required and all was sociable and friendly
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erica M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing View!

Corcovado was the highlight of our trip. The view was amazing and Jose and Elsa were so helpful arranging tours and making us feel at home.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ainsley H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location next to the beach

Great location right above the beach and close to everything but still feeling private. This house was perfect for our family of 6 it sits just up the hill from the beach and across from a little grocery store. Jose was amazing to work with and helped us arrange a boat taxi, carry our luggage, book a number of amazing tours. The outdoor shower overlooking the bay is amazing. Also the large outdoor patio is perfect for bird watching and enjoying the sunset.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

James

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Communication
Nice location, beautiful view with spacious exterior covered patio. Communication and response lacking.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steven W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved this house!

We were in Drake Bay for three nights for a couple of days of diving with our two adult children. The house was perfectly situated, lots of space, and an amazing covered deck area with an afternoon breeze. Everything went very smoothly from first communications through to check-out. Overall we have no hesitation giving this house five stars.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

2/10 Terrible

clarence

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is advertised as the best place in Drake. Well it’s not! as a lot of floor boards are loose and uneven , the a/c seems to have a bearing gone or something making it very noisy, doors don’t fit properly, and it’s very loud due to traffic. Jose is excellent looking after us, but the place needs a lot of work to be as advertised.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Charlie N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Drake Bay is an amazing place.

The host helped us with everything f on booking our boat ride to and from Drake and most of our activities (diving, snorkeling, trip to Corcovado NP). Sue answered ALL my questions accurately and timely. Elsa took care of all our booking details, and Jose took care of our needs at The Big Banana House. Everyone was superb. The house itself sits up on a hill with a wonderful view of the bay. The beds were comfy, the kitchen was complete and the outdoor shower was fantastic. If you're going to Drake, book Debra's Big Banana House. You simply can't go wrong.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Zach T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

AMAZING

Absolutely the best place we stayed on our trip throughout Costa Rica. The view is fantastic and the rooms are all very comfortable. We loved spending time on the deck watching the fauna and the location was super close to everything with a small grocery mart across the street. We could walk anywhere needed within 5 minutes. On top of that, everyone involved in the management of the property as well as the owner were VERY helpful and accommodating when we had an unrelated issue. They were not obligated to help us, but they did anyway and we are super grateful to them for that. Definitely the best place to stay in Drake Bay!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Carl C.

Disliked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Awful - 0 stars

After a complete lack of hot water from all sinks and the shower, we contacted the host (Debra) only to be degraded over voicemail in which Debra insinuated that we were stupid and just didn’t know how to turn on the hot water. We subsequently messaged Debra and told her that we had tried multiple times to get hot water and to express disappointment in the missing amenities advertised on the listing. Debra quickly escalated the situation and told us we were no longer welcome in her house, to leave immediately and that she didn’t need our business. We were left stranded less than 24 hours into our trip with no cell or internet service to find alternative lodging. Debra said she would cancel the booking but never did and she refused to refund us any amount.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Rajan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful views

The villa is situated on a beautiful spot and the views from the large veranda are amazing. There are a variety seating and laying places to appreciate the beauty of Drake Bay! However, we weren't able to utilise the veranda as much as we would like to have, due to the mosquitoes. This is NOT a negative reflection on the property but it is the reality living in the jungle. Inside the house all bedrooms were air-conditioned and kitchen was well equipped with the hatch window to connect the veranda. We had a problem with the main fridge Freezer, the next day the host provided us with a temporary fridge. Having no air-conditioned in the lounge area prevented us from having meals together as a family. The beach can easily be accessed down a short path. On returning, it was a pleasure to shower off the sand in the outside shower. Host and representatives responded to messages promptly and provided with all what we asked for. The location of the property is ideal for all local activities and restaurants.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Peter L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Great Deck/View — Be Ready for “In-Town” Noise Small Bedrooms

The house is blessed by a great deck and large outdoor living space — with a spectacular view of Drake’s Bay. The location is convenient to everything in the small town and a 4 minute walk to the main beach where you get boats various places to visit (snorkeling and national park). Kitchen was nice in that it opened on large deck, but it was not well stocked with pots/pans and material for cooking (fridge was broken on our arrival and small “temporary” fridge was provided promptly for our use during our stay). One of best features for some of us, was outside shower with open view on to the bay. We also benefited from introduction from owner to Elsa — travel guide who arranged for our day trips (and even led our wonderful snorkeling trip). The “three stars” is because, while the outdoor living space was great…you could not/do not spend all you time outdoors when home (hard at night to linger outside given light naturally attracting varieties bugs). The indoor spaces are not “great.” Bedrooms all benefit from having separate AC, but are all very small and the two on back of house are on the Main Street (small/unpaved) in town and motorcycles/car noise throughout the night. If looking for “jungle experience” this is not it. No rooms had views as you needed to keep closed to keep bugs out — so going to your room meant going to small enclosed box and very firm beds. The common space indoors was not designed for living space — but for common/shared large hallway.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gregory B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house with amazing service

The house was good, 4 bedrooms and an indoor and outdoor bathroom. The deck and covered patio are the really amazing spaces: view of the whole bay, macaws by day and parrots in the evening. Located right next to a store and a tour operator so errands were very easy. Private (steep) path down to the beach. The most amazing amenity by far was the property manager Kim. She helped us with all our activities and transportation: taxis, boat shuttles, restaurants, night tour, day tours, even letting us know to book in advance as things were filling up. She was so helpful and easy to work with.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

About the host

Hosted by Debra

Host profile image
Dive Instructor, Clinical Psychologist, I bought this property 20 ago due to the biodiversity on the OSA. I am a nature nerd with a voracious appetite for Mother Nature. The tours around Drake are unparalleled in breadth and scope. You will see many things. My favorite things are underwater however.

Why they chose this property

The proximity to the OSA and all the marvels of the rainforest

What makes this property unique

Relaxation, contemplation, laughter, joy, togetherness, fun, experiences, connectedness, beauty. That view!

Languages:

English, Spanish
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