Sierpe is a place we know well — it’s the primary pickup and drop-off location for Casa Roja guests. But while we spend a fair bit of time there for practical reasons, Sierpe itself isn’t really a destination for lingering. Most travelers only spend a few hours here, passing through on their way to Drake Bay, Corcovado National Park, or Caño Island.
The town of Sierpe exists almost entirely because of the tourism that flows through its riverbanks. It’s a critical hub for boat taxis and private boats heading deeper into the wilds of the Osa Peninsula. If you’re staying in one of the more upscale lodges in Drake Bay, chances are a private boat will pick you up here and whisk you downriver toward your rainforest adventure.
As for us, we rely on Sierpe for the essentials: fuel for our boat, supplies, and maintenance gear. Most of our groceries and produce actually come from Palma Norte and regional farms, but Sierpe is still a vital piece of our puzzle.
There are a few small hotels in town, just in case you find yourself delayed and need to spend a night. But generally speaking, Sierpe isn’t a place where you’ll want to plan an extended stay. There’s simply not much to see or do once your boat departs. However, before you set off, we do recommend a stop at our usual meeting spot: Las Vegas Restaurant, right along the riverbank. It’s where we park our boat, and where many Casa Roja adventures officially begin (or end). If you’re lucky, you might even spot a crocodile cruising by as you enjoy a cold beer. And speaking of beer, we highly recommend trying a michelada — a Costa Rican classic!
The traditional style is simple: a bottle of beer with fresh lime juice (ideally real Costa Rican limes, known as Rangpur limes) squeezed right into the neck of the bottle, with a salted rim for good measure. Some places will serve it in a glass with lime juice, ice, and salt — and while adding ice to beer might seem odd for North Americans, trust us, it’s refreshing. The ice keeps your drink cold in the tropical heat, helps you stay hydrated, and — maybe best of all — lets you enjoy a few more rounds!
In the end, Sierpe is less of a destination and more of a doorway. It’s the last stop before you leave the paved roads behind and trade them for river channels leading into the heart of Costa Rica’s wild south.
