The legacy of Sir Francis Drake, the famous 16th-century English seafarer, looms large over southern Costa Rica. A hero to the British and a feared pirate to the Spanish, his name lives on in Drake Bay, a remote stretch of coastline on the northwest shore of the Osa Peninsula. According to historical accounts, Drake made landfall here in 1579 during his legendary circumnavigation of the globe. A plaque in the small town commemorates this event, though some sources suggest he may have actually stopped at Caño Island, just offshore, now one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular marine reserves. Today, the island’s crystal-clear waters draw snorkelers and divers, who unknowingly explore the same coastline where Drake’s ships once anchored centuries ago.
While Drake’s skills as an explorer, navigator, and seaman are widely recognized, it is not his maritime prowess that fuels local legend. Instead, it is the whispered tales of hidden treasure—gold and silver plundered from Spanish ships—that continue to inspire imaginations.
Stories have long circulated that Drake buried his riches somewhere along this rugged coast, though the precise location remains a mystery. Some believe the treasure lies hidden near the beaches of Drake Bay, while others speculate it could be concealed in the dense jungle near the mouth of the Sierpe River or even tucked away in one of the many sea caves along the rocky shoreline.
Drake Bay.
One location that holds particular intrigue among locals is Isla Violin, a remote and uninhabited island within the Sierpe River estuary. Many in the region firmly believe Drake stashed treasure there, hidden deep within the jungle or in one of the island’s many caves. Over the years, treasure hunters have come in search of riches, but Isla Violin remains as wild and mysterious as ever. Whether Drake’s legendary fortune is buried beneath its thick canopy remains unknown, but the fascination endures. In fact, our own experiences with the legends of Isla Violin began years ago when we first arrived at Casa Roja and met those who had dedicated their lives to the search.
