Whale Season Is Here — And Drake Bay Is the Best Place on Earth to Experience It
July through December, the waters off the Osa Peninsula become one of the most extraordinary places on the planet. Humpback whales traveling all the way from Antarctica arrive in the warm, protected waters of Drake Bay to mate, give birth, and nurse their calves. These are not distant, barely-visible spouts on the horizon. These are close encounters that will leave you breathless.
And there is no better base camp for this experience than Drake Bay Greenleaf.
Why Drake Bay Is the World’s Premier Whale Watching Destination
Costa Rica holds a rare distinction: it has more months with humpback whales in residence than anywhere else in the world. (Costa Rica Guide) Drake Bay sits at the heart of it all.
Humpback whales travel to these waters from as far south as Antarctica, migrating to the tropical waters of the Osa Peninsula to breed. Mid-July through October is peak season — the best time to see newborn calves traveling alongside their mothers. (The Wildlife Diaries)
The best months for seeing humpback whales are August and September, when they are most active — breeding and raising their young. If you want to see baby whales, these are the months to come. (Special Places of Costa Rica)
This is not a zoo. This is the wild.
It’s Not Just Whales
Tours in Drake Bay head into deeper waters, which means you may spot not just humpbacks but also pilot whales and mega pods of dolphins. (Costa Rica Insider) Pantropical spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and spinner dolphins frequently join the boats — sometimes surrounding you on all sides.
Add to that: sea turtles, manta rays, whale sharks, and the incredible biodiversity of Isla del Caño just offshore — one of the top snorkeling and scuba diving spots in all of Central America.
Your Perfect Whale Season Base Camp
Drake Bay Greenleaf is a boutique eco-lodge perched in the rainforest with ocean-view bungalows and direct access to every tour the Osa Peninsula has to offer.
⭐ Rated #1 on TripAdvisor in Drake Bay
⭐ Travelers’ Choice Award 2025
⭐ Hundreds of verified 5-star reviews on Google & TripAdvisor
🏡 Spacious private bungalows with ocean & jungle views, king/queen beds, A/C, and private balconies
🍽️ Homemade meals with fresh local ingredients
🤿 Whale watching · Corcovado overnight · Snorkeling at Isla del Caño · Birdwatching · Night tours · Scuba diving
Small, exclusive, and personal. Maximum comfort. Zero crowds. This is eco-luxury the way it should be.
✈️ Getting Here Is Easier Than You Think
Fly direct to San José (SJO) from Miami, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Toronto, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Zürich, or Madrid — then a short Sansa Airlines flight lands you steps from the adventure. We handle airport coordination and all tour logistics so you can simply arrive and exhale.
📅 Whale Season Fills Up Fast — Book Early
July · August · September · October · November · December
These months are our most requested season. Couples, families, and small groups of up to 8 guests find this to be the most magical time of year on the Osa Peninsula. Space is limited by design — we keep our lodge small so every guest receives personal attention.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
📩 Reserve your whale season stay today:
🌐 www.drakebaygreenleaf.com
📧 [email protected]
📱 WhatsApp: +506 8826 8024