🇨🇷 Drake Bay Airport

Drake Bay Airport (MRDK/DRK) is a public airport located in the Bahía Drake District of Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, serving Bahía Drake, a popular tourist destination. It is operated by Costa Rica's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC).

• Location: The airport is situated on the coast, approximately 4 kilometers (2 miles) northeast of Agujitas de Drake, the largest village in the area. Its coordinates are 8.7189° N, -83.6417° W, and its elevation is 12 feet (3.66 meters) above sea level.
• Runway: It features one asphalt runway, designated 09/27, which is 770 meters (2,526 feet) long. The runway's length limits operations to piston singles and light turboprops, making jet operations impractical.
• History and Use: The airport's origins are informal, likely starting as a dirt strip for local residents and early eco-lodges. Significant modernization by the DGAC in the 2010s included paving the runway and constructing a small terminal with a waiting area, transforming it into a functional aerodrome capable of receiving regular domestic flights. This development significantly reduced travel time from San José to Drake Bay, supporting eco-tourism and making access to Corcovado National Park easier.
• Passenger Traffic: The airport has seen fluctuating passenger numbers, with 11,808 passengers in 2021. Renovations in January 2019 led to a substantial increase in passenger traffic that year.
• Weather Information: Drake Bay Airport does not publish METARs; the nearest weather station is Enrique Malek International Airport, 138 km away.

*Sources researched: metar-taf.com, en.wikipedia.org, thejetfinder.com, reservations.com, kupi.com*