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DRK · small airport

Drake Bay Airport

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Airports
DRKsmall airport

Drake Bay Airport

Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Explore Puntarenas city guide Navigate to this airport
3
Routes out
1
Destinations
MRDK
ICAO
12 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Gateway to the remote Osa Peninsula wilderness.

Location
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Drake Bay Airport (IATA: DRK, ICAO: MRDK) is a small general aviation airstrip serving the remote Drake Bay area on the Osa Peninsula in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. It provides essential air access to a region that is otherwise reachable only by boat or rough unpaved roads, making it a critical link for tourists and residents alike. The airport primarily handles small propeller-driven aircraft operated by regional carriers connecting Drake Bay to San José and other Costa Rican destinations. It serves as a jumping-off point for visitors to Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Given its remote location and the rugged terrain surrounding it, the airstrip is relatively short and modest in infrastructure, catering to light aircraft rather than commercial jets. Passenger volumes remain low, reflecting the area's status as an ecotourism destination rather than a major travel hub.
Terminals
The airport has no formal terminal building; passenger handling is extremely basic with minimal infrastructure.
Getting to & from
Ground transport from the airstrip is limited; visitors typically travel onward by boat or 4WD vehicle to lodges in the Drake Bay area.
Airlines here
Regional carriers such as Sansa Airlines operate scheduled small-aircraft service connecting Drake Bay to San José's Juan Santamaría Airport.
Notable facts
  • ›Drake Bay is named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who reputedly anchored nearby in 1579.
  • ›The airport provides one of the only practical access routes to the remote Osa Peninsula.
  • ›Corcovado National Park, accessible from Drake Bay, has been called one of the most biologically intense places on Earth by National Geographic.
  • ›The airstrip is unpaved and short, limiting operations to small propeller aircraft.
  • ›The surrounding area is a premier ecotourism destination known for wildlife including jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws.
Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Gateway to the Osa Peninsula's wild and untamed rainforest coast

Drake Bay Airport is a small airstrip serving the remote Drake Bay area on the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas province, Costa Rica. It provides essential air access to one of the most biodiverse and ecologically pristine regions in the world, where dense rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean. The airport acts as a vital link for eco-tourists, researchers, and lodge guests heading to Corcovado National Park and surrounding wilderness areas.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A simple open-air terminal building with basic facilities suited to the small volume of charter and regional traffic it handles.
Ground Transport
  • Boat transfers arranged by local lodges from Drake Bay waterfront
  • 4x4 taxi or lodge shuttle service along unpaved roads
  • Private vehicle transfers pre-booked through eco-lodges
Nearby Hotels
  • Aguila de Osa Inn
  • Drake Bay Wilderness Resort
  • La Paloma Lodge
  • Jinetes de Osa
Dining

The airport itself has no dining facilities, so travellers should plan accordingly. Most lodges in the Drake Bay area are all-inclusive or provide meals as part of their packages, featuring fresh local seafood and traditional Costa Rican cuisine. The nearby village of Drake Bay has a handful of small sodas and restaurants serving casados and locally caught fish.

Traveller Tips
  • Book your lodge transfer in advance — road access is limited and water taxi or 4x4 pickup is often the only option.
  • Carry cash in Costa Rican colones as ATMs are virtually nonexistent in Drake Bay.
  • Pack light and use soft-sided luggage, as small charter aircraft have strict weight and size restrictions.
  • Confirm your flight the day before, as schedules can change due to weather or low passenger numbers.

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (1 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

DRK → SJO5C · DHT
DRK → SJOLR · CNA
DRK → SJORZ · CNA
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Bahía Drake Airport
Encyclopaedia

Bahía Drake Airport is an airport serving Bahía Drake, a Pacific coastal district with a long tradition as a tourist destination in Osa Canton, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica. The airport is also known as Drake Bay Airport.

Read full article on Wikipedia

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