Gulf Of Papagayo For Snorkeling
Culebra Bay snorkeling from the Andaz Resort
In the northwest province of Guanacaste, off the Papagayo Peninsula, the Gulf of Papagayo is a wonderful snorkeling destination for its calm and protected inlets and bays. Despite being an up-and-coming resort area, the Papagayo Peninsula retains its natural integrity with its lush tropical landscape and over 400 species of wildlife.
Scuba Diving In Guanacaste North Pacfic
The province of Guanacaste is located in the northwest of the country. It is well known for its beautiful beaches, plains and mountains with some active volcanoes.
The central city of Guanacaste is Liberia, which is located 34 kilometers from Playa del Coco and 210 kilometers from the capital San José.
Guanacastes climate is tropical dry, with a warm temperature most of the year that varies between 25 ° C and 35 ° C.
Scuba diving in Guanacaste is a great experience, mainly on the islands that are a bit far from the coastal areas.
In Guanacaste, you can find several PADI dive centers that offer tours to the main points. Some of the beaches also offer good diving spots whose visibility may vary throughout the year.
Below we will tell you about the best diving spots in Guanacaste and some, which may not be the best, but which can offer you an acceptable experience.
Isla Tortuga Wreck Diving
Isla Tortuga is usually paired with warm and clear waters and therefore this place is better known as a snorkeling destination. But there is a bit of a surprise here for divers! Besides the tropical water and amazing animals, you can see underwater wrecks here, something you wont experience further south. This is a real treat for any diver, no matter how much experience you have underwater.
Among the wrecks currently well explored and open to divers are the 30-meter Caroline Star, the 25-meter Coronel Alfonso Monge, and the 28-meter Coast Guard ship Franklin Chang Diaz. You have to admit, its pretty good, and scuba diving in Costa Rica can be varied though.
How to get to Isla Tortuga? Unfortunately, the availability of diving services here is very limited. You can easily find trips from Puntarenas or other places along the coast, but most of them are only snorkeling trips. If you want to dive on Isla Tortuga, the best place to look for trips would be Jaco and one of the dive centers there. Although Isla Tortuga is not an obvious point on the diving map of Costa Rica, it is worth considering this place when planning a trip.
| LOCATION |
|---|
You May Like: Electric Motor For Pontoon Boat
Relax With Yoga On Your Vacation In Costa Rica
If you have come to Costa Rica to relax then it might be worth considering taking a yoga class. Promising one of the best nights sleep youve had in years, a sunset yoga class is the perfect way to unwind and really enjoy your vacation in paradise. Costa Rica has a fantastic landscape and beachside vacation destinations including Playa Tamarindo, Playa Jaco, Playa Dominical and Playa Flamingo offer quality yoga classes for beginners and advanced yoga aficionados alike.
Scuba Diving Playas Del Coco
Playas del Coco is a beautiful set of beaches located in the Gulf of Papagayo, in the North Pacific.
The tranquility of its waters makes this one of the areas near the coast with a fairly good visibility for scuba diving.
Around Cocos beaches you can find about 20 diving spots. Punta Argentina, Tortuga, La Cruz are some of the most visited.
Most of the points are located about 10-20 minutes by boat and are easily reachable by small boats due to the calm waters.
Due to the nutrient-rich waters it is common to find a wide variety of marine life. Some animals like whiptail stingrays, whitetip reef sharks, large schools of grunts, and snappers make this beaches their home.
The different spots offer various marine environments such as volcanic rocks, rocky pinnacles, long rows of rocks and rocky walls, all full of life.
The diving conditions are generally good throughout the year offering good visibility and the maximum depth at some points is 100 feet.
Also Check: Scuba Diving Los Cabos Mexico
Bat Islands Scuba Diving
The Bat Islands are located 30 miles from Coco Beach, in Guanacaste. They are protected and belong to the Santa Rosa National Park.
To travel to the Bat islands it is necessary to join a Tour.
The boat ride takes about 1 hour, depending on ocean conditions. During the trip to the Bat Islands it is sometimes possible to observe dolphins and turtles.
The Bat islands offer a wide diversity of marine life. Ocean currents carry a large amount of nutrients. These nutrients attract many marine species and make possible the existence of beautiful corals and rock formations full of life.
In the bat islands, between the months of August and Ocotober, it is very common to find the bull shark. These animals can grow up to 12 feet in length.
During a Bat Islands scuba diving tour, it is also possible to observe stingrays, schools of eagle rays, barracudas, thick schools of grunts, snappers and many other species.
Turtles are usually seen quite frequently.
To dive in the Bat Islands, it is important that you have a certain level of experience. This mainly because of the strong currents and the occasional swell, which you could experience during a dive.
Diving Conditions at Bat Islands, Costa Rica
Here you have a summary of the main conditions in the Bat islands.
| DISTANCE FROM THE SHORE |
| From March to November |
Cao Island In Drake Bay
Boasting the most unexplored dives and the country’s best visibility, Drake Bay is in a league of its own. On this trip, you’ll branch out to explore the world famous Caño Island, which lies approximately 20 kilometers off the mainland on the Pacific Coast of the Osa Peninsula. The fish-filled waters are far enough away from the coast that the seasonal rains do not affect visibility as in other scuba diving sites around the country. You can expect to see eels, reef sharks, sting rays and plenty of bright coral.
Plus, explorers don’t have to submerge your body more than 18 meters underwater, making it a hotspot for intermediate divers. Since the area is remote, you may want to look at a resort near the island that features lessons and scuba excursions.
Don’t Miss: Lake Lbj Pontoon Boat Rentals
World Diving Records What Are The Limits Underwater
Diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica is a great vacation idea and a very popular pastime. Suffice it to say that scuba diving has been compared to walking in space. It is the closest thing to weightlessness, which is why scuba diving is such a wonderful experience. Weve collected some of the most frequently asked questions about scuba diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica, and youll find the answers below. Contact us for details on diving courses and current tour promotions.
Scuba Diving In South Pacific Costa Rica
The South Pacific stretches from Quepos to Punta Burica in southern Costa Rica. It is an area with a tropical rainy climate and one of the only places in Costa Rica where the mountains are so close to the sea.
In this area you can also find the Corcovado National Park. This protected area is considered the place with the greatest biological biodiversity on the entire planet. Definitely a place worth visiting!
Traveling to the South Pacific is a very good option if you are looking for good Scuba Diving experiences. The Ballena Marine Park, Caño Island and Drake Bay are perhaps the best places, although the island is the best.
Don’t Miss: Snorkel Tours North Shore Oahu
Scuba Diving At Cocos Island Costa Rica
Cocos Island is considered one of the most incredible diving destinations on earth and one of the most beautiful National Parks in Costa Rica.
In 1997 the UN declared the Cocos island Natural Heritage of Humanity and just a year later it was declared a wetland of international importance.
To get to Isla del Coco it is necessary to take a boat, which normally leaves from Puntarenas. There are also some private tours that you can hire and that leave two or three times a month to the island.
Getting to the island can be a tedious journey, due to the swell, strong currents and winds. It takes approximately 36 hours to arrive and 32 hours to return. It is advisable to take pills for sea sick and be very patient.
But the reward of reaching the island is unmatched. If you ever saw the movie Jurassic Park, you will understand why Sorna Island took its inspiration from Cocos Island.
Cocos Island is one of the best places to dive with large animals and predators. The hammerhead shark is one of its inhabitants.
There are some species that are unique to the island and the amount of fish is impressive. Some of the creatures that you can see on Cocos Island are:
- Red-lipped batfish
- Berkley Turtles
Traveling To Cao Island
To get to Caño Island, logically, you need to hire a boat or a Tour. It is important that the captain has the necessary experience to make the trip in the open sea.
There are several ways to get to Caño Island.
The first and easiest way is to hire a Tour from Uvita. The island is located 3 km from the Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita.This is the most recommended option, since it is the most direct. If you come from San José, it will take you 3 hours to get to Uvita and about 45 minutes to the island.
The second way is to hire a boat or Tour from Sierpe or Drake Bay in the south of the country. The problem with this option is that it will take you more time to drive to the south of the country, although the trip to the island is a little shorter in distance.
Recommended Reading: Lake Havasu Pontoon Boat Rentals
Bat Islands Islas Murcilago
The Bat Islands are considered a world-class diving destination. The area is located within the Santa Rosa National Park, which is a protected area. Maximum depths vary depending on the dive site and range from 18 to 35 meters . Visibility ranges from 6 to 30 meters .
However, you must know that diving at this site is rather reserved for experienced and good divers. There are strong underwater and surface currents, so you need to have experience in this type of diving. Due to the difficult conditions on the surface, you will often need to go underwater quickly, so there is no time to waste. Therefore, the minimum recommended dive certification is advanced diver.
Dont get me wrong, this is a very good site and you should definitely include it in your plan for scuba diving in Costa Rica. However, keep in mind that this is not a place where you will take non-diving friends or children. You come here to dive.
The island is about an hour from the mainland and to get there you must take part in an organized diving trip. The best starting point is Playa del Coco, where you will find at least a few dive tour operators.
| LOCATION |
|---|
Wildlife And Rainforest Tours On Your Vacation In Costa Rica
When it comes to wildlife, it seems that Costa Rica certainly has it all. Costa Rica offers some of the worlds best jungle wildlife eco adventure tours that are suitable for all of the family. Take a whale and dolphin watching tour in the South Pacific National Park of Marina Ballena. Or watch the turtles come ashore to Playa Grande in the Peninsula de Nicoya. Take an adventure snorkeling or scuba diving tour to Isla Coco in Puntarenas or visit Catalina Island in the Gulf of Papagayo. Whether you want to visit gigantic crocodiles that congregate on the banks of the Rio Tarcoles or take a birding tour in Manuel Antonio National Park, theres no doubt that a trip to Costa Rica is an opportunity of a lifetime.
After your arrival in Costa Rica you will soon realize that you are surrounded by nature. Its not uncommon to see a humming bird feeding from a flower on your villa porch in the morning or to
hear the distant sound of Congo monkeys as they swing through the trees. Macaws, lizards, iguanas and the world famous sloth live amongst the dense tropical greenery that envelopes the beautiful country of Costa Rica, so get your camera and binoculars ready! It is well documented that many of the species that inhabit Costa Rica are some of the rarest in the world a wildlife vacation in Costa Rica comes highly recommended.
Don’t Miss: Destin Double Decker Pontoon Rental
Snorkeling Trip From Uvita
Costa Rica has over 800 miles of coastline consisting of coral reefs, volcanic beaches and pristine forests that jut into the ocean. Costa Rica is undoubtedly one of the best countries for diving and snorkeling. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and to the east is the beautiful Caribbean coastline.
Snorkeling in Costa Rica is a way for the whole family to enjoy a great day out. Our PADI accredited dive center offers snorkeling on Isla del Cano and local trips within Marino Ballena National Park. Importantly, all snorkeling trips are led by an experienced guide who will find the best spots during your trip.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is located near the border with Panama on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It is classified as a humid tropical forest, protecting some of Costa Ricas most endangered plant and animal species. Unfortunately, this part of Costa Rica is not very well developed yet and it will take you a long time to get there, so you need to plan your dive well.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is considered by many to be the best snorkeling and diving spot on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Here you will find coral reefs and small coves full of marine life. You are sure to encounter animals such as sea turtles, manatees, crocodiles and dolphins.
How to get there? The question of transportation is easy and difficult at the same time. If you have your own car, it will take you a few hours to get there from San Jose. Just because the road is easy does not mean it is fast Unfortunately on this route to Limon there are constant repairs and traffic jams caused by trucks going to the port. You just have to be patient. If you dont have a car, it will take you a long time to get to Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge by public transportation. But lets just say that the possibility of scuba diving at Gandoca Manzanillo will justify the hardship.
| LOCATION |
|---|
You May Like: Best Cruising Boats Under 40 Feet
The Best Scuba Diving Places In Costa Rica
Welcome to Scuba Pura Vida. On this website you will find useful information for planning your dive trip in Costa Rica. Let us suggest the best dive sites, the best time of year and our recommended dive shops to take the guesswork out of planning your holiday.
If your dream is to become a PADI professional, we are more than happy to help you achieve your goals. If youre not a diver but want to have an awesome underwater experience we will show you the first steps and the best places to plan your adventure.
Or if you prefer to stay at the surface join one of the whale watching tours and get closer to these amazing animals.
Jaco Beach Costa Rica Scuba Diving
The ocean is the last great frontier and diving is the way to explore its wonders to discover and communicate with people.
Herradura Divers, PADI Dive Center, through training programs, wants to spread the knowledge of the underwater world. Settings diving round Herradura Bay, an area characterized by sizeable volcanic rock formations.
Don’t Miss: Best Scuba Diving In Key West
Cao Island Biological Reserve
Costa Ricas second most beautiful island is much closer and does not require a long journey. It can be reached within an hour trip from Uvita. Many people who have had the opportunity to visit the previously mentioned Coco Island say that Isla del Caño is its smaller sister.
The diving season here lasts almost all year round, but the best conditions can be found from December to May. It is also a very good place for divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced. The water temperature across the island varies between 24°C and 30°C, with visibility ranging from 10 m to 20 m.
It is also a great advantage to be able to go down to the island between dives. You can relax on the beach or take a short walk to the viewpoint. This island is simply magical and no matter for what purpose you visit it, it will surely surprise you.
This place is a natural biological reserve where you can find many species of fish, manta rays, sharks and moray eels. Dolphins and whales can also be found around the island. Definitely one of the best dive sites in Costa Rica. It is a very good dive site for beginners. You can read more about Isla del Caño in our other article: Isla del Caño tourist information.
| LOCATION |
|---|
Scuba Courses In Costa Rica
If you are planning to start working in the diving industry, it is worth doing the PADI Divemaster course at our center, so you will not only get good training, but also a practical internship and free dives! Diving in Costa Rica is a great pleasure, and our diving academy allows you to enjoy every time youre underwater.
We conduct our scuba diving courses to the highest training standards and you can be assured that our training is well worth the price. Please note that all prices are final, meaning there are no additional fees.
- Refresh your scuba diving skills with PADI ReActivate and jump back in the ocean!
Diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica is a great vacation idea and a very popular pastime. Suffice it to say that scuba diving has been compared to walking in space. It is the closest thing to weightlessness, which is why scuba diving is such a wonderful experience. Weve collected some of the most frequently asked questions about scuba diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica, and youll find the answers below. Contact us for details on diving courses and current tour promotions.
Also Check: Pontoon Rental Fort Walton Beach