Drake Bay Greenleaf

The Drake Bay Greenleaf is the absolute best place we stayed in Costa Rica with the most attentive hospitality making our entire stay a welcoming, exciting, educational and pleasant travel experience. From arranging transportation and tours to the splendid meals, we could not have imagined beforehand how great this would...

The Drake Bay Greenleaf is the absolute best place we stayed in Costa Rica with the most attentive hospitality making our entire stay a welcoming, exciting, educational and pleasant travel experience. From arranging transportation and tours to the splendid meals, we could not have imagined beforehand how great this would be. The locale has a fantastic view of Drake Bay, a local owl, named "Al", plus a squadron of wildlife, most with names, and unbelievably beautiful cottages with every possible accommodation in place to make our stay exquisite. We will love to return to the Greenleaf next time we are in Costa Rica, there is nothing better!

What can we say, all the reviews were right! Hellen and Steven, along with their son Vincent, were amazing. The service was incredible, the meals outstanding, the rooms immaculate. You won’t be disappointed, we highly recommend this resort. Hellen gives it a personal touch in all aspects, from the meals...

What can we say, all the reviews were right! Hellen and Steven, along with their son Vincent, were amazing. The service was incredible, the meals outstanding, the rooms immaculate. You won’t be disappointed, we highly recommend this resort. Hellen gives it a personal touch in all aspects, from the meals to tours. You won’t find a cleaner resort anywhere! Thanks so much. Looking forward to our next visit.

Drake Bay Greenleaf - 16 Feb, 2025 Beautiful, amazing getaway! Hellen and Stephen were warm and friendly, and went above and beyond to make sure our stay was fabulous. The casitas are situated in the lush forest. The restaurant and Casitas are all situated closely, but you feel very private,...

Drake Bay Greenleaf - 16 Feb, 2025 Beautiful, amazing getaway! Hellen and Stephen were warm and friendly, and went above and beyond to make sure our stay was fabulous. The casitas are situated in the lush forest. The restaurant and Casitas are all situated closely, but you feel very private, with a beautiful view of the bay There is a trail into the woods, that does involve a number of stairs. But it was great for quick access into the woods, and to see things like the anteater and songbirds. We were fortunate to have a number of animal visitors, including atapir, a family of Coatimundi, and a baby owl, as well as macaws and toucans. Hellen is super organized and helps to coordinate all the tours and make sure that you’re well prepared. Stephen is a delight to talk with and is ready to chaufure into town or to the beach. The food was out of this world delicious. We loved the whole red snapper and plantains. Yummy cocktails too. They do an impeccable job of caretaking the place and cleaning the rooms, so it always feels beautiful. The Caño Island snorkeling was stunning. The tour company took good care of us and we even saw a white tip shark. We were thrilled that Hellen suggested a private guide for the Sirena tour because it got us away from the crowds. It’s important to remember that nothing‘s guaranteed and The guides do their best to see as much animal life as possible. we were fortunate to see an antique and boa constrictor, as well as lots of monkeys and coatimundi. Our trip to San Gerardo de Dota was better for Birding. This was great for macaws, toucans and the bigger animals. The trip to Sirena is a long hot walk so you need a lot of water. We found the main drake Bay beach and town to be a little grungy and unappealing.. But Pirates Cove, which is just another few minutes up the road, is gorgeous and we spent a lot of time there.

All the way from planning our vacation with Hellen at Drake Bay Greenleaf to a very last moment there our experience was outstanding. The ten days stay at the resort was just perfect and we loved every minute of it. We went on quite a few tours, enjoyed each of...

All the way from planning our vacation with Hellen at Drake Bay Greenleaf to a very last moment there our experience was outstanding. The ten days stay at the resort was just perfect and we loved every minute of it. We went on quite a few tours, enjoyed each of them very much and brought back home great memories of what we saw and experienced along with wonderful pictures. Coming back to the resort was always a joyful occasion and an opportunity to have a freshly made fruit drink - passion fruit was my favorite - on the open terrace of a dining area and have a conversation with Hellen, who seemed to be always there to attend to our needs. We learned enough from these conversations to get insight into the history of the area and come to appreciation for local community dedication and efforts towards development of ecotourism. The Drake Bay Greenleaf property was developed by Hellen and her husband Steve in such a way that there was a minimal disturbance to the surrounding rainforest. We encountered almost as many animal and bird species on the property, as in the Corcovado park. So you do not need to set an alarm in the morning, as howler monkeys howls wake you up just before the sunrise. The resort has three guest bungalows, an open dinning area with stunning views of a valley below, the ocean and a far away mountain range, a kitchen adjacent to the dining area and an owners bungalow. Our air-conditioned bungalow in addition to a well furnished leaving space had a good size bathroom with a very large shower and a private balcony with the same views, as the dining area. Our bungalow felt like brand new, was thoroughly cleaned every day and remained spotless throughout our stay. Breakfasts, lunch and dinners, as well as laundry service, were included in the room rate. Hellen made all the tour reservations for us and helped to book Sansa flights at a discount. Steve was always there when we needed a transportation and drove us from and to the airport. His gentle humor helped to make our rides smoother on the local unpaved roads. The meals we had three times a day at the property were very imaginative in choice and presentation, always delicious and never the same. Every morning Hellen talked to us about lunch and dinner choices to make sure that those are to our liking, and was always ready to make a change, if so desired. Beef and freshly caught tuna stakes were delicious, salad dressings were unusual and tasty, panna cotta and chocolate mousse were so good that we could not have enough of them. We enjoyed our dinners at Drake Bay Greenleaf as much and more than those we had last summer in Michelin star restaurants in Italian Tyrol. We were treated like family at Drake Bay and are very grateful to Steve, Hellen, their son Vinnie and the resort staff for making our stay such a rich and wonderful experience. We will certainly be back.

My husband and I stayed a week at Drake Bay Greenleaf in February 2025, and it is as wonderful as the other reviews say it is. Hellen (who grew up in Drake Bay) and Steven, the owners, are exceptional hosts and lovely people. The rooms are spacious, very clean, air...

My husband and I stayed a week at Drake Bay Greenleaf in February 2025, and it is as wonderful as the other reviews say it is. Hellen (who grew up in Drake Bay) and Steven, the owners, are exceptional hosts and lovely people. The rooms are spacious, very clean, air conditioned, and have beautiful views from inside the room and on the porch. The property is quiet, allowing you to relax and enjoy the surroundings – which are filled with tropical trees and plants that attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. We saw monkeys, coatis, agoutis and a tapir. There were also many different species of birds on and around the property. During a birding tour with Gustavo (a local guide who is very knowledgeable about Costa Rica’s flora and fauna) we logged 33 species. I also did some birding on my own and saw several additional species, including a beautiful male turquoise cotinga. Scarlet macaws were seen daily – always a treat. I called Greenleaf before booking, as I have a number of food allergies/intolerances. Hellen asked me what they were, assured me that she could accommodate them, and she did. The food was homemade and absolutely delicious. Given that I cannot eat gluten or eggs, among other foods, I usually don’t get to eat dessert. But Hellen made a dessert every night that I could eat and they were fantastic. If you have food allergies/intolerances, call Greenleaf and speak with Hellen. On the tours that included lunch our guide Gustavo made sure to ask about food allergies/intolerances. We are very glad we chose to spend a week at Greenleaf and look forward to returning. Thank you Hellen and Steven!

I don’t write reviews very often. Only when somewhere is very good or very poor. My wife and I travel a lot! Greenleaf Drake Bay is simply one of the most amazing places we have ever visited. 5 star luxury and fine dining in a perfect location with the most...

I don’t write reviews very often. Only when somewhere is very good or very poor. My wife and I travel a lot! Greenleaf Drake Bay is simply one of the most amazing places we have ever visited. 5 star luxury and fine dining in a perfect location with the most adorable and attentive hosts imaginable. We were picked up at Drake Bay airfield by a charming and smiling gentleman who introduced himself as Steven, the owner of Greenleaf. A short journey to the hotel (I call it this, but it only has 3 stunning lodges so feels more like a luxury home) and Hellen, his wife, was waiting for us with a cold drink. She immediately gave my wife her WhatsApp number and said any questions or anything we want just message her. The food is amazing. Locally sourced every day, the taste and presentation is up there with the very best restaurants. Steven and Hellen are there 24 hours a day waiting hand and foot for our every needs. This is not done begrudgingly or in a ‘business’ manner, it is from a place of genuine love for their guests. The wildlife within the grounds of Greenleaf is also amazing. We saw as many animals and birds close up there, as we did on excursions to the Reserve. Steven and Hellen are so highly regarded in the Drake Bay community. Every guide we saw spoke so fondly of them. Every trip/excursion/boat ride we went on we felt that we were being treated like royalty just because we were staying at Greenleaf. If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, then stay here. You will not regret it. My only tip is to make this your last destination as it set’s very high benchmark that will not be equalled. Thank you Steven and Hellen ❤️

The best 3 days I’ve spent anywhere on a trip. Simply magical. A great location, wonderful service, food was exceptional, views breathtaking and wildlife was a treat. Rooms were large, simple and felt luxurious. I was emotional on leaving. Don’t hesitate if you are considering this, it’s worth it!

The best 3 days I’ve spent anywhere on a trip. Simply magical. A great location, wonderful service, food was exceptional, views breathtaking and wildlife was a treat. Rooms were large, simple and felt luxurious. I was emotional on leaving. Don’t hesitate if you are considering this, it’s worth it!

Imagine traveling to meet members of your “family” that you have never met before and discovering that they live at the edge of a tropical rainforest where you can spot 43 different species of birds on a one-mile hike. Imagine learning that you will be served gourmet meals throughout your...

Imagine traveling to meet members of your “family” that you have never met before and discovering that they live at the edge of a tropical rainforest where you can spot 43 different species of birds on a one-mile hike. Imagine learning that you will be served gourmet meals throughout your stay using fresh local food that is thoughtfully served with the presentation being just as delightful as the fantastic flavors. Imagine short boat rides to tropical reefs populated by colorful fish, sea turtles, octopi and starfish or to a carefully managed national park teeming with all manner of exotic wildlife. Imagine being pampered by your hosts just as if you were valued members of their own family. That truly sums up our mid-January 2025 trip to Drake Bay Greenleaf, Costa Rica. When we booked our trip, we had relatively high expectations based on the reviews. Our hosts, Hellen and Steven (and their young son Vincent), exceeded our high expectations beyond our wildest imagination. We are already planning a return trip. Be advised that this is not a shopping or nightlife mecca; the focus is on being personally pampered while surrounded by an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty.

What a very special place. We felt immediately immersed in nature. The views all around us, are absolutely spectacular. But what makes this place so much more special is Helen, who is simply the perfect host. She is absolutely gorgeous inside and out supported by her husband Steven and team....

What a very special place. We felt immediately immersed in nature. The views all around us, are absolutely spectacular. But what makes this place so much more special is Helen, who is simply the perfect host. She is absolutely gorgeous inside and out supported by her husband Steven and team. All of them go way above and beyond. The food is delicious. We can’t recommend this place any more highly.

From start to finish, our stay at Drake Bay Greenleaf was nothing short of amazing! Everything about it was perfect, it was all we’d hoped for and more. The setting in amongst the tree canopies was stunning, the scenery was beautiful and it felt so private and not overlooked by...

From start to finish, our stay at Drake Bay Greenleaf was nothing short of amazing! Everything about it was perfect, it was all we’d hoped for and more. The setting in amongst the tree canopies was stunning, the scenery was beautiful and it felt so private and not overlooked by anyone. The abundance of wildlife surrounding Greenleaf was incredible, during our stay we got to see, howler monkeys, white headed capuchin, tapir, coati, agouti, scarlet macaws, hummingbirds plus many other bird species. All within the comfort of Greenleafs gates which is pretty special in itself. Onto the lovely family that make it feel so unique, Hellen, Steven and their boy Vinnie. They made us feel so welcome from the second we arrived, nothing was too much trouble and they went above and beyond to make sure our trip was perfect. Over our stay we truly felt like we’d gained new extended family members. The hard work they’ve put into this project is there for everyone to see and I think they’ve done a spectacular job. The accommodation was spotlessly clean, spacious and bright in extremely well maintained grounds but with nature kept in mind. The food was unreal and Hellen was so accommodating to any of our needs. Everything was home made and tasted unbelievable, lovely portion sizes as well. Drake Bay Greenleaf really is the most amazing place you could stay. The location, accommodation and food are amazing and that’s all you could ask for. Hellen, Steven and Vinnie are somehow even more so though and really made this stay be one that we’ll remember for the rest of our life’s. We couldn’t recommend it highly enough and we’d love to go back one day to see them. (Plus me, Steven and Vinnie need to go on that big fishing adventure 😉)

5 Star 5 Night stay at GreenLeaf with Hellen and Steven. All-inclusive goes above and beyond!!! Gourmet meals, personal chauffeur (Thank You STEVEN), tour arrangements, coffee & cookies delivered to our private picturesque balcony (Thank You HELLEN), and free laundry service before our departure. Hellen takes care of her guests...

5 Star 5 Night stay at GreenLeaf with Hellen and Steven. All-inclusive goes above and beyond!!! Gourmet meals, personal chauffeur (Thank You STEVEN), tour arrangements, coffee & cookies delivered to our private picturesque balcony (Thank You HELLEN), and free laundry service before our departure. Hellen takes care of her guests and her animals (tapir, monkeys, coatis, macaws, toucans …). Hellen is eager to text guests and share wildlife sightings for your personal up close photo opps! Bless them with your visit to PARADISE @ Drake Bay GreenLeaf

Wow. What an incredible stay we had at Greenleaf! From start to finish we were just blown away by everything at this beautiful hotel. It’s nestled up in the hills overlooking Drake Bay, and owned by the most wonderful Costa Rican couple, Hellen and Stephen who live there with their...

Wow. What an incredible stay we had at Greenleaf! From start to finish we were just blown away by everything at this beautiful hotel. It’s nestled up in the hills overlooking Drake Bay, and owned by the most wonderful Costa Rican couple, Hellen and Stephen who live there with their lovely little boy Vincent (more on this wonderful family later in the review!) When we arrived we were picked up by Stephen and we were driven up to the accommodation where Hellen greeted us with a homemade lemonade in their Resturant area that overlooks the bay. This was the last stop on our trip and my partner and I both felt a bit overwhelmed by how amazing everything was - from the hospitable welcome to the view and our incredible surroundings. Hellen let us know that lunch would be served soon, and asked us how we liked our steak cooked… we knew food was included in our stay but assumed lunch would be a sandwich or something... 10 minutes later we were served a 3 course lunch - for starters a Caesar salad with homemade croutons and dressing. For mains, it was a perfectly cooked steak, on a base of sweet potato mixed with a passion fruit puree and then all topped with a Costa Rican chocolate sauce which was delicious. And for dessert a homemade cinnamon bun. I’m such a foodie and this was by far the best food we’d had on our entire trip! It was all unreal!!! The food continued to be amazing for the duration of the stay, everything from the bread and jam at breakfast to the cookies and ice cream for dessert was homemade in their kitchen. It was all delicious and all presented like it was being served at a top European restaurant. After lunch on the first day we were then taken to our room which was so spacious and overlooked the same incredible view as at lunch. I’m such a stickler for cleanliness in hotels (never booking anywhere with less than a 9/10 cleanliness rating) and have often wondered how some hotels get the high cleanliness ratings that they do when their standards are often very average. But our bungalow at Greenleaf was spotless!! Which wasn’t a surprise after seeing how immaculate and well maintained the rest of the property was! Everyday house keeping would come and provide us with fresh towels and clean our room and Hellen also washed and dried all of our clothes while we were there, which was so so handy given the humidity in Costa Rica that means nothings dries. In each room there’s a really spacious balcony which was such a relaxing spot to sit and watch the wildlife! Over the course of our 6-night stay we saw macaws, hummingbirds, 2 types of monkeys, a tapir, toucans and so many other types of birds. Having grown up in Drake Bay, Hellen is so conscious of the nature surrounding the hotel and they have done such a great job of preserving the wildlife around the hotel. Hellen, Stephen and Vinnie are the most beautiful family and make you feel like you’re extended family members while you’re staying with them! So yes, whilst the food, accommodation, views, nature etc are amazing these guys are what make this place! We’ve been so fortunate to travel and stay in some truly beautiful places, but with so much of the world to see I’m always keen to try somewhere new whenever we travel so will rarely go back to the same place twice… but I can honestly say I’d go back to Greenleaf in a heartbeat because of them!!! Thank you for a truly unforgettable end to our trip, it will always have a special place in our hearts 🩷

Everything was amazing. The food, the view, the activities and most of all Helen and Steven who were so welcoming and made sure every moment was amazing. The trip to the park was stellar, the birdwatching and night hike were as well. Gustavo is incredibly knowledgeable and is so excited...

Everything was amazing. The food, the view, the activities and most of all Helen and Steven who were so welcoming and made sure every moment was amazing. The trip to the park was stellar, the birdwatching and night hike were as well. Gustavo is incredibly knowledgeable and is so excited to show and explain. And the Horseback ride was actually our favorite (which is saying a lot). It’s small, intimate and exceptional. Stay here…you’ll be as grateful as we are.

Best week ever! Our Drake Bay Greenleaf stay did not disappoint. Prior to coming, I had read all of the reviews and many said we wish we would have stayed longer. My husband and I stayed for a week and loved every minute. Hellen, Steven and Vincent made our time...

Best week ever! Our Drake Bay Greenleaf stay did not disappoint. Prior to coming, I had read all of the reviews and many said we wish we would have stayed longer. My husband and I stayed for a week and loved every minute. Hellen, Steven and Vincent made our time there extra special. We felt so well taken care of, the food was amazing, there was an abundance of wildlife and birds, and it was very relaxing. Hellen took care of every detail during our trip, Steven drove us where we needed to be and they were always so kind and had a smile to share with us. On Sunday, the local school was having a “Bingo” fundraiser to raise money for the school. It was a community event that we wanted to support and experience. Vincent went with us and it was so much fun …. What a great evening! Everything we did was planned by Hellen and didn’t disappoint.We got massages, went to Corcovado National Park, horseback riding up the river with a hike to the waterfall, we relaxed and enjoyed the wildlife and sounds of the jungle. Their family was so accommodating and shared their passion for this beautiful untouched area with us. Before we left, we got a big hug from their eight year old son, Vincent, that was from the heart. We are so grateful for the amazing time we had at Drake Bay. Thank you Hellen, Steven and Vincent. If you are thinking of going, don’t hesitate and stay here as long as you can. Pura Vida! ❤️

Helen and Stephen coordinated every detail for our trip. Went above and beyond for us. Food was fantastic rooms large and extremely clean. Views breathtaking. Can’t say how much we enjoyed being there. Only wish we could have spent more time with them

Absolutely amazing! We arrived with high expectations, which were far exceeded. Hellen’s hands-on, personal touch ensured that we left with our hearts, minds, and souls refreshed and renewed. There was nothing too big she couldn’t handle. She rescheduled our Sansa flight and found us overnight accommodations when our international flight...

Absolutely amazing! We arrived with high expectations, which were far exceeded. Hellen’s hands-on, personal touch ensured that we left with our hearts, minds, and souls refreshed and renewed. There was nothing too big she couldn’t handle. She rescheduled our Sansa flight and found us overnight accommodations when our international flight was delayed. She took care of our laundry, scheduled tours with the best local guides, and made even made a cake for my wife’s birthday. Her husband, Steven, was our private chauffeur and always looked out for our interests. The resort is hidden in the rainforest with an amazing view over Drake Bay with a diversity of wildlife that blew us away. The food is so fresh and better than any five-star restaurant. We’re dreaming of the papaya smoothies. I had no idea we would be so catered to. This was one of the best experiences of our lives. I arrived with a heavy heart and left with a renewed soul, ready to face what life brings. Even in the rain, the beauty of this place is magical. The service and cleanliness is impeccable. If you want to experience REAL Costa Rica, true beauty, and charm this, is it. Hellen, Steven, and Vincent are now our adopted Costa Rica family, too far away but always close in our hearts. Hope to return Sharon and Steve

A short walk from the beach, these bungalows are nestled away for a private, luxurious feel. My boyfriend and I stayed here 2 nights in November. Wish we could have stayed longer! We were there in the heart of rainy season but couldn’t have been more content. Hellen was an...

A short walk from the beach, these bungalows are nestled away for a private, luxurious feel. My boyfriend and I stayed here 2 nights in November. Wish we could have stayed longer! We were there in the heart of rainy season but couldn’t have been more content. Hellen was an amazing host. She went above and beyond to make us feel relaxed and pampered. The views and the food were exactly what we hoped for from our Costa Rican experience!

Great, spotlessly clean bungalows with a large deck that allows fabulous views across the rainforest and bay. Lots of animals on the grounds as well, we saw a tapir, spider monkeys, capucine monkeys, coati and many birds just from our bungalow. Amazing food as well, all fresh, very tasty and...

Great, spotlessly clean bungalows with a large deck that allows fabulous views across the rainforest and bay. Lots of animals on the grounds as well, we saw a tapir, spider monkeys, capucine monkeys, coati and many birds just from our bungalow. Amazing food as well, all fresh, very tasty and presented with lots of attention. But what really makes this perfect is the hospitality of Hellen, Steven and Vincent who really made sure we felt welcome and took care of us all the time.

My wife and I recently stayed at Drake Bay Greenleaf for five amazing days. Our stay was truly perfect from beginning to end. My only wish is that we could leave a 10 star review! We knew it was going to be a great stay when Steven picked us up...

My wife and I recently stayed at Drake Bay Greenleaf for five amazing days. Our stay was truly perfect from beginning to end. My only wish is that we could leave a 10 star review! We knew it was going to be a great stay when Steven picked us up at the Drake Bay airport with a huge smile on his face and entertained us on the twenty minute drive to Greenleaf. As we pulled in the front gate, he pointed out a White Face monkey playing in the trees just outside the gate- what a start! Over the next five days we enjoyed watching the beautiful toucans and many other birds and animals from our balcony, along with Lulu the tapir and the cute little owl that watched over us at dinner each night. During our five days, Hellen pampered us as she anticipated every need during our stay. She perfectly organized three tours and an in-room massage for us. The bungalows were perfectly cleaned each day and the air conditioning worked great. Our meals were on another level of great. Freshly prepared and beautifully presented as so many other reviewers have noted. Afternoon snacks of fruit, smoothies and cookies were always refreshing after our morning tours. Meanwhile, their charming son Vincent was a real treat to chat with. If we ever have an opportunity to return to Drake Bay, we will most certainly revisit with Hellen and her beautiful Greenleaf retreat in the jungle. We so appreciated the excellent guides and massage specialists she arranged for us as well. If you are considering a stay here do not hesitate, all the amazing reviews are totally accurate of the experience you will receive.

Returning to Costa Rica for the second time Greenleaf was the first and only accommodation we returned to during our 6 week trip. Our 5 days at the end was a fitting conclusion to a truly amazing trip in an incredible country. Helen, Steven and adorable son Vincent are perfect...

Returning to Costa Rica for the second time Greenleaf was the first and only accommodation we returned to during our 6 week trip. Our 5 days at the end was a fitting conclusion to a truly amazing trip in an incredible country. Helen, Steven and adorable son Vincent are perfect hosts. Everything is meticulously organised. Tours and transport are seamlessly taken care of. All meals are to be savoured as they truly are incredible. Both Helen and Steven are inspirational individuals. What they have created together in this paradise is astounding. Will we return a third time? I cannot bring myself to say no. A emotional farewell to close friends and an assurance that we will return again and again. Wonderful.