DRAKE BAY TOWN, GATEWAY TO CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK, OSA PENINSULA

If you want a full immersion experience with the locals in Drake Bay Town this is the place for you. You will find the casita, surrounded by rainforest, a haven for viewing a variety of wildlife (right from the back porch) including Howler monkeys, white faced monkeys, macaws, sloth, hummingbirds, and other birds too numerous to note. The tropic foliage and flowers are wonderful. Trips and tours are easily available for the adventurer. We chose to hike into the rainforest on our own and pass through two resorts where one could stop for a cold drink or to eat and view the beaches, the Pacific, and watch the tour boats coming and going. After a break at Aquia de Osa we continued our hike to Playa Cocolito, a wonderful secluded cove on the Pacific with terrific swimming and we watched macaws eating almonds from the trees on the beach....fabulous spot! In town, we walked to the store and the restaurants and found the locals (tico) to be extremely friendly and helpful....they will teach you a little Spanish and love to learn a little English from you. The Casita is very well designed and the decor is very Costa Rica. Lots of great reading with books on the Osa Peninsula, trees, yoga, maps, etc. Mario is a one-of-a-kind host! He can set up tours, trips, very helpful with getting around town, points out the wildlife, and if you fish as my husband did he will make the best cebiche (cold seafood salad) and fried plantains you will ever eat! He is great with allowing quests complete privacy but also meeting all needs.
This is the spot for people who want to meet Costa Rica face to face. A unique experience with locals and wildlife!! Thanks Mario and Nichole!

Upon landing in Drake Bay my wife and I were picked up by a ride arranged by Nichole to the Mango Street Casita, our home for the next week. Here we met Nichole, Mario, and their seven-year-old daughter Francesca. Nichole we soon found to be a wonderful host. As we unpacked we enjoyed Imperial beers in the refrigerator and fresh fruit and banana bread on the kitchen counter. Nichole told us to settle in and come over to figure out our itinerary for our week of adventure. With Nichole and Mario's help we decided to take the mangrove tour, snorkel and scuba dive, the night bug tour, and take a hike around the Sirena Ranger Station. We also had a couple of down days. This worked out perfect. We had enough adventure and relaxation to make this stay the highlight of our 16 day trip in Costa Rica. Nichole took us to town for grocery shopping and beverages; beer is sold in bottles and delivered to our doorstep. The casita comes with grocery bags and they practice a green lifestyle. The local fruits and vegetables are great and we had no need to go out and eat. Nichole and Mario were always willing to help with activities, including Mario taking us to the activity to avoid confusion with taking a wrong boat. There was always a change of towels, bed sheets, and dishes were cleaned when we had an early start to an event. Mario prepared some fantastic ceviche and plantain chips one evening, while we all shared stories of our adventures. Mario also took us on a two hour walk one morning to the town of Los Planes. The yard itself offered wonderful birding and mammal sight seeing opportunities. Each morning I would have my cafe and add new birds to my life list. The yard has beautiful plants and flowers and the back patio is open to the jungle. One day a troop of White-faced Monkeys came through and entertained us. If you like natural history and a place that has raw beauty then this is the place.

I feel privileged to have stayed in this spot for a week. All the guides Mario and Nichole arranged were professional and knowledgeable. Mario and Nichole are wonderful hosts and we felt very comfortable while staying at their place. They appreciate where they live and it shows. I hope to return some day.

We spent 4 full days at the Mango Street Casita, had a wonderful experience, and could easily have stayed 4 more days. The house was clean, comfortable, spacious, and felt very safe and secluded even though it is right in the middle of Drake Bay and activities/stores/restaurants are within easy walking distance. Mario and Nichole are dedicated to all aspects of the Drake Bay community, and were very helpful in arranging tours and suggesting other activities such as beaches to visit or walks/hikes to take. They live next door to the casita, but still gave us the privacy we wanted while at the same time being very available to assist us. They even did some grocery shopping on our behalf before we arrived!