The experience is awesome, as well as the marine life that you will see. WebLearn key information about diving in Costa Rica - when to go, what to see, who to dive with, top marine life, recommended training & more. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 This area is covered in swaying black corals, where grunts and snappers swim and lobsters crawl back and forth looking for their next meal. Secrets Papagayo All Inclusive 4383 Reviews. Best places for diving on the Pacific Coast. Titi and Camille, the young French couple who greet us with their two children are generous with words and smiles. WebTop Guanacaste and Northwest Scuba Diving Scuba Diving Shark Diving Snorkeling Freediving Swimming Sightseeing Tours Extreme Sports Nature and Wildlife Tours Sea Caving Dolphin Watching Swim with Dolphins Wildlife Watching Whale Watching Likely To Sell Out Bus Tours Full-day Tours Day Trips Adventure Tours Water Tours Half-day Tours There is no danger of waves getting too large, so visitors can snorkel and swim. swim two meters away from me. In these cases we recommend a PADI open water advanced certification. A little further on, an eagle ray passes peacefully. The Central Pacific coast offers little in terms of nearby scuba diving opportunities. Because of Cano Islands status as a biological reserve, there are five designated diving locations and only ten divers can be in the water at a time. But the reward of reaching the island is unmatched. In Guanacaste, you can find several PADI dive centers that offer tours to the main points. A scuba diving trip to Costa Rica is not required to be certified. The Catalina Island chain is an archipelago of rocky islets which can be found 2-15 miles off the northwest coast of Costa Rica. Only advanced divers should attempt to explore the Catalina Islands and the Bat Islands. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Where should I stay in Costa Rica for diving? Visibility is much higher and can reach 100 feet (30 meters). 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. Day 1: Pool Instruction This took about 3 hours. Diving prices may vary depending on experience and location. Panga boats, which are open, outboard-powered boats, are known throughout the world as panga knives due to their resemblance to a knife in shape. In the northwest province of Guanacaste, off the. December to April is dry season in Costa Rica. These nutrients attract many marine species and make possible the existence of beautiful corals and rock formations full of life. Visitors are drawn to the long summer days, active culture and unparalleled wildlife. 5 star hotel 3 Km North West from Panama Beach Main Entrance Playa Arenilla, , Provincia de Guanacaste, 50503, Costa Rica 202 rooms FREE Internet Resort description Resort amenities How to get there Rocket Frog Divers 554 Reviews. During this season there is less wind and the sea is calmer. Playa Herradura is a very popular tourist destination. I feel the warm wind on my skin What a lovely feeling. There are also huge schools of tropical fish ranging in the size from micro to massive. The water is clear and there are plenty of fish to see. Yes, guanacaste is good for snorkeling! A short boat ride from Papagayo, and within the same Gulf of Papagayo or Bahia Culebra there are some dive sites that may surprise you. It is located 1 hour from the International Airport and is very accessible for tourists.Its black sand beaches are very frequented by tourists. 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. So, put on your wetsuit, grab your snorkel, and get ready to immerse yourself in a world of aquatic marvels that will leave you awe-struck and longing for more! Starting from Guanacaste, we will share with you the best places for scuba diving in Costa Rica. Due to the nutrient-rich waters it is common to find a wide variety of marine life. The Catalina Islands are one of the most beautiful places to dive in all of Costa Rica. The second dive in Costa Rica will mark a very special event for me, because for the first time in my life as a diver, I will encounter a wall of fish. Without a doubt, Cocos Island is the most famous dive destination in Costa Rica. Obviously, there are special seasons for some species. It is well known for its beautiful beaches, plains and mountains with some active volcanoes. Bat Islands is all about sharks. The underwater landscape is defined by volcanic formations such as arches, caverns and tunnels. Join 19k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! The first and easiest way is to hire a Tour from Uvita. I had long wanted to discover Latin America and dive in the ocean waters along its wild coast. The area is mostly known for spotting bull sharks. However, it is important to know which are the best places for diving in Costa Rica and how to get to them. All Rights Reserved. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Caribbean coast, is one of the best snorkeling spots. In addition to diving and snorkeling, a large number of visitors to Costa Rica are interested in learning about the countrys coral reefs. There are whale sharks in Costa Rica.They are mainly found in open areas, on the Catalina Island, the Bat Island and Cao Island. Why not try Asia ? It has a total extension of 1016 kilometers made up of beautiful beaches and bays. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. The Bat Islands ( or Murcielago Islands ) are considered the best dive site during the rainy season from June to November). I was happy to discover the Guanacaste in Costa Rica and enjoy these two beautiful dives. This region combines on one side the discovery of the Costa Rican nature and a rich terrestrial flora and fauna and on the other the exploration of wild sea bottoms reserving very beautiful surprises. Find out why. Around Cocos beaches you can find about 20 diving spots. TRAVEL They are about a 20-30 minute boat ride from the Flamingo marina. Costa Rica is not just one of the best tourist destinations, but it is also one of the best diving destinations. It is one of the most popular beaches in the province of Guanacaste, with numerous restaurants and accommodations available for a variety of budgets. Barrio La California, Catalina Islands, Costa Rica | Best Spots and Seasons. Sea turtles (nesting from March to July), manatees, crocodiles, and dolphins are just some of the animals that call Gandoca Manzanillo home. Cao Island is probably the best diving destination in Costa Rica, second only to Cocos island. Here we decide to let ourselves be surprised by the very different atmosphere of Costa Rica. Make the trek about 2.35 miles where youll reach. I loved them but I have preferred to continue my exploration of the country which offers so many wonders to discover. Most of the Tours depart from Tamarindo to some points located at a certain distance where the conditions for diving are adequate. Replace or update your card, buy a Special Edition or Project AWARE version of your PADI certification card, or go digital with the purchase of a PADI eCard. There are many tourist companies and hotels that offer multiple activities for everyone to enjoy. White tipped sharks are common in this area, as are large grouper, rays and much more. However, these months still offer the opportunity to see Giant Manta Rays at the Catalina Islands. A Unesco World Heritage Site 300mi (483km) southwest of Cabo Blanco, its Costa Rica s most exquisite marine park and one of the top diving destinations in the world. Costa Rica, excluding the Cocos Islands, are kilometers of coastline. WebDiving & Snorkel Company in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. , the Catalina Islands draw divers and snorkelers alike. Whether youre an experienced diver seeking thrilling depths or a beginner eager to explore the mesmerizing shallows, Costa Rica has it all. This is a small group boat tour that takes you snorkeling in the Catalina Islands. Off the coast of Costa Rica's northwestern Guanacaste provincelie the Catalina Islands, an archipelago of rugged rocky outcrops. In general, the islands offer a greater diving experience compared to the shores. It is a transition zone between the climates of the dry tropical forest to the humid tropical forest. 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. Obviously, the best diving in Costa Rica is not found near the mouths of the great rivers. The guanacaste seemed to be the only interesting area to dive in the Pacific Ocean in Costa Rica. WebThe Catalina Islands are some of the best spots to scuba dive in all of Costa Rica. Diving Papagayo is a local Tour Company offering dive trips, snorkeling and sailing tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Playa Hermosa (Beautiful beach in Spanish) is a quiet, white-sand beach, nestled between two mountains, ideal to get away from the crowds and relax. Drake, as he is commonly known, is also believed to be the place where one of his treasures is still hidden. The route 34 is used to get there and it takes about 3 hours to travel from The Capital. It protects 324 hectares of forest and more than 5,660 hectares underwater. With more than 20 years of experience behind us, we know every single step to satisfy yourneeds. Many of the blue fish found in Playa Chiquita are popular with snorkelers. More reliably, a host of smaller, tropical fish can be observed around the jutting rocks. Post navigation. Marenco Rock is home to grunts and snappers swimming alongside each other, as well as lobsters crawling back and forth to find their next meal. The deeper rock has a small wreck at 19-21m depth. Nothing planned, just a rental car and a single area to explore: the Guanacaste from Tamarindo to the Nicaraguan border. Tours are offered by various dive operators in the area and the starting points are usually Tamarindo Beach and Playas del Coco. For this reason and for its exuberant beauty, the country is the tourist destination of more than 3 million people each year. Bordered on one hand by the Caribbean Sea (very little developed for the diving tourism) and on the other by the Pacific Ocean and its rich and wild flora and fauna much better for Diving Costa Rica. Take a deep dive into the depths with the help of a sea scooter. Other creatures to look out for include manta rays (December to April) and whales (August to January). The visibility in the Catalinas is similar to that of other areas in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. It is thought that he established a port in the bay for his constant travels. WebExplore diving in Guanacaste & Bat Islands. This is a port for the development of world class sport fishing, approved by the Costa Rican government. My choice was Costa Rica as the first diving destination in Latin America. The visibility is generally good (sometimes exceeding 100 feet/30 meters), and the abundance of marine life makes this site a worthy alternative for those that don't have the time or the budget for Cocos. The area is also well known for finding schools of devil rays, spotted eagle rays, bullseye rays, bat rays, mobley rays, and various other forms of stingrays. Most definitely a nice destination if you are traveling with non-divers. The islands are a fair distance off shore and are the home of the Pacific Giant Mantas among other marine life. WebScuba Diving Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The trip between the two destinations takes approximately 5 hours. In this article, we also mention some that may not represent the best option available. Divers mayeven find themselves distracted from the underwater beauty by big animal sightings including whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and the occasional humpback whale. Because this is only a regional airport, youll need to take a domestic flight from San Jose. Costa Rica Experts 2023. Beware, however, as in the rest of Latin America, the atmosphere of Costa Rica is special: the houses are surrounded by barbed wire, each protects the little that he possesses without perceiving insecurity. Ca*o Island Biological Reserve has five diving locations designated for the purpose of diving. The Murcielago and Catalina islands have also some not recommended spots. Because of park regulations, divers do not enter the cave. It is only the fifth day that we will finally discover the dives in Costa Rica. Culebra Bay (within the Gulf of Papagayo) snorkeling from the Andaz Resort. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel gear can be rented out to explore the pristine waters off Costa Ricas Guanacaste coast. Nevertheless, just watching the dormant sharks lurking within the rock is spectacular to behold. Scuba Diving in Guanacaste, Costa Rica (My PADI Open Water Course) I signed up to do the course with a friend and this was our itinerary. PADI 5 star dive center Offsite (Paid pickup) Max 6 The Bat islands offer a wide diversity of marine life. The province of Guanacaste is located in the northwest of the country. San juanillo in Guanacaste is one of the best places for snorkeling in the region because of the reef close to the coast and the pristine waters. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. In the evening, we carefully prepare our diving equipment and feel the urge to go diving more and more. Many dive operators offer Tours to the Catalina Islands and the Murcielago Islands. The most recommended scuba diving site is Cao Island, because it is located closer to the capital, the price is good and the amount of marine life that can be seen is really impressive. One of the most popular group activities in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Its also accessible from the South Pacific Coast are of Dominical/Uvita. Our favorites in Guanacaste are most definitely the with Nicaragua border, the volcanoes, Playa Grande and Playa Conchal (very nice atmosphere). Diving on this continent was like a dream for me. 2023 Rocket Frog Divers. No matter, we take advantage of the exceptional environment of this area of the parks and admire. If scuba diving isnt yourcup of tea, snorkeling is a great way to leisurely explore the underwater scenery. The islands are a fair distance off shore and are the home of the Pacific Giant Mantas among other marine life. If the sun is hitting the coral just right, divers can also experience beautifully colorful coral reflections that are infinitely memorable. Another fantastic diving destination on the Pacific Coast is the Catalina Islands. Costa Ricas tropical climate is characterized by dry months from December to April and rainy months from May to November. Many diving and snorkeling tours are available along Coast Ricas coasts, but thefollowingare what we believe to be the best destinations for diving and snorkeling in all of Costa Rica. are a real treat after the mud baths . The diving conditions are generally good throughout the year offering good visibility and the maximum depth at some points is 100 feet. Nevertheless, just watching the dormant sharks lurking within the rock is spectacular to behold. Knowing the dive sites and what sites will be the best on any given day is something that only comes with experience. However, if you come from the north or are vacationing in a central area, it is much better to hire the Tour from Uvita. Yes, you can.Tours to Cocos Island usually depart from Puntarenas. Your Trip to Costa Rica: The Complete Guide, Terry Moore/ Stocktrek Images/ Getty Images. The waters do not have enough visibility and the marine life that you can see is limited. The scuba diving is excellent most of the year with visibility in the 30 100 feet range depending on the tide and weather conditions. On the other side of the fence, monkeys congos come screaming to welcome us. Ocean currents carry a large amount of nutrients. One of the Tours that dive centers in Tamarindo usually offer is the Catalina Islands Diving Tour. Some animals like whiptail stingrays, whitetip reef sharks, large schools of grunts, and snappers make this beaches their home. I wanted to go and see for myself what the dives were in Costa Rica. Thanks to the nutrient-rich coastal waters, diving and snorkeling in Costa Rica can be a magical experience. Indeed, we had nothing reserved. The best scuba diving spots on the Pacific Coast are located on the countrys northern side, while the south Caribbean side has some excellent diving spots. In general, scuba diving is a safe practice when you have the necessary training and follow established rules and procedures.However, like all sports, scuba diving involves risks and accidents could happen.In Costa Rica we dont have recent reports of scuba diving accidents, with the exception of an incident on Coco Island where a tourist was strangely attacked by a shark. They are protected and belong to the Santa Rosa National Park. The amount of marine life that you can see in the Catalinas Islands is impressive, which is why it is considered one of the most recommended diving spots, along with Isla del Cao. 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