Jinetes de Osa is a nice place with laid back attitude, pleasant staff where you can meet a lot of interesting people. Because it is quite remote there aren't quite so many tourists as in other parts of Costa Rica so the place is a bit more unspoilt.

Meals are served in a communal area which helps to meet other people and make friends. Meals are nothing to boast about, though. Rooms are clean and totally sufficient. In the morning you are woken up by the sound of waves and birds, which is wonderful.

Obviously the place specialises in diving, but i would also recommend Corcovado National Park. The place is not without its flaws though. It is right on the beach, but it is not a particularly beautiful beach - water is dirty, i have not seen anybody swimming in it.

Also, one more thing somewhat spoilt our otherwise good memories of the place. When we arrived there we found out that we couldn't dive as we did not have PADI, which nobody told us about when we were booking it. Although we were upset about it, we decided to snorkel instead and we were told by staff that the difference in price will be refunded to us. But they are not exactly rushing to refund the difference to us - after one month and numerous emails asking for a refund we have not had any reply and the money has not been refunded, which is Very poor...

Stayed ten days in Drake Bay and had an amazing time! Drinks and dinner several times at Jinetes and thought it was great! Friendly and helpful owners and staff, especially Alexis and wonderful food. Met lots of new friends during dinner, because of the innovative dining area ( a huge table where everyone can sit together) and would recommend Jinetes to anyone travelling in Drake.

Had a great time here. The staff is awesome. We have to give out a huge shout out to ALEXIS. She was simply awesome. Loved the boat ride in. Love the big table where you ate with your fellow guests. Which was a great way to meet people and to learn about tours, other areas etc.....Every hotel should do this. :) Loved it. Thanks Alexis.

The staff could not be more friendly or accommodating. The casual atmosphere of Jinetes is what keeps people coming, day in and day out. This was my first visit to Costa Rica, and I have not been able to stop thinking about my experience since I left...It was a very sad day when I had to depart from the Drake Bay airport.

Alexis, Dana, Mauritza, and the entire crew working at Jinetes made my experience so very enjoyable. The food is tasty, the view from the bar and rooms is unbeatable, and the location right along the beach provides you with instant access to an amazing view and stretch of beach and ocean.

I recommend kayaking (there is a river just around the bend from Jinetes that's calm and beautiful), horseback riding (my favorite, perhaps), and taking a trip to Isla del Cano. On the way back from our island trip, we stumbled upon three humback whales!! A mother was playing around with her TWO calves. They were very energetic and just appeared to be having fun, more than anything else. That was awesome.

I also got to experience the Drake Bay Festival. While it was quite small compared to any "fair" I'd been to, it was a major event for the locals, and I got to see how the community of Drake Bay (and beyond) interacts. Music, dancing, games, food, and more brought people from all over to have a great time! Very cool, indeed.

And by the way, I didn't make it to Corcovado, but I do hear it is well worth the trip.

I only stayed for 6 days - 4 full days - and I was able to experience so much. I wish I'd been able to stay for 3 months. I came alive there and I would recommend taking this trip to anyone who is even remotely considering it. That's how I started - I followed through with my hunch, and my life might just have been changed as a result.