Question Planning trip to Costa Rica - Isla del Caño

[fabay]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to visit Costa Rica during the last week of December to dive at Isla del Caño.

I'm an AOW diver with a bit more than 200 dives, and I'm traveling with my two daughters, who are Open Water certified. They have around 20 dives each, all done in lakes and the Caribbean Sea, so all easy dives with no drift and good visibility.

Is Isla del Caño a good and safe place for OW divers? Based on what I've seen online, I think so, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm this.

Regarding accommodations, I'm planning to stay in Uvita, but I've read that the last week of the year is very busy in tourist areas. A lot of people take the week off, so routes are often congested, and hotel and service capacities are generally full. Is this true? Any tips if this is the case? Unfortunately, I'm a bit constrained by my job, so my vacation dates are almost fixed.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pedroo]

Hello Fabay,

Of course, someone may disagree with me, but in my experience at most dives in Costa Rica, Isla del Cano is the best. There you have available sites for every diver like DSD, OW, or even more deep dives. There are also places for snorkeling, which clearly shows that the island is accessible to everyone.

December is the beginning of the high tourist season, and indeed if you leave everything to the last minute there will probably be no room for you either in hotels or on tours. This is due not only to the number of tourists, but the limits of the national parks - Marino Ballena, Isla del Cano, or Corcovado. All of these parks have daily entry limits that cannot be exceeded.

So I advise you to start booking tours and accommodations now.

You can ask about diving here: costaricadivers.com

 

[rmorgan]

If it's like when we were there, you'll be fine. The only concern would be that the guide we had was a little zippier than we were, and visibility was down around, maybe, 40-50', so one needs to be attentive. But the dives were livelier than expected, and the rides out and back were fun. One caveat--we were staying in Drake Bay, and I think the rides are a good bit shorter from there than from Uvita. FWIW, Drake Bay is very chill, and the dive op there, Costa Rica Adventure Divers, is quite excellent. Costa Rica's a terrific country!

 

[tarzana]

Hello, We are now thinking of a dive trip to Isla Caño sometime during the first weeks of December...maybe end of November. Does anyone have a trip report or can tell me what the diving is like? Where best to stay in Drake Bay (so we are closer to the island)?

 

[etxtacoma]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to visit Costa Rica during the last week of December to dive at Isla del Caño.

I'm an AOW diver with a bit more than 200 dives, and I'm traveling with my two daughters, who are Open Water certified. They have around 20 dives each, all done in lakes and the Caribbean Sea, so all easy dives with no drift and good visibility.

Is Isla del Caño a good and safe place for OW divers? Based on what I've seen online, I think so, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm this.

Regarding accommodations, I'm planning to stay in Uvita, but I've read that the last week of the year is very busy in tourist areas. A lot of people take the week off, so routes are often congested, and hotel and service capacities are generally full. Is this true? Any tips if this is the case? Unfortunately, I'm a bit constrained by my job, so my vacation dates are almost fixed.

Thanks in advance!

Hey there!

Not sure if you have made accommodations or not but check AirBnB out for places to stay that are close to the area if you are willing to go that route. Lots of great hosts down there. Was recently in Taramindo for a week and stayed at a hotel there that was fabulous. It was the slow season, so good pricing on the stay and it was not busy.

I dove at Catalina Islands using Pacific Coast Dive Center and would recommend them to anyone, great crew and setup they have.

I will be up in the Coco/Playa Flamingo area from December 16th until the 30th and always looking for dive buddies!

 

[tarzana]

Hey there!

Not sure if you have made accommodations or not but check AirBnB out for places to stay that are close to the area if you are willing to go that route. Lots of great hosts down there. Was recently in Taramindo for a week and stayed at a hotel there that was fabulous. It was the slow season, so good pricing on the stay and it was not busy.

I dove at Catalina Islands using Pacific Coast Dive Center and would recommend them to anyone, great crew and setup they have.

I will be up in the Coco/Playa Flamingo area from December 16th until the 30th and always looking for dive buddies!

Thanks for the comments etxtacoma! I have half my buddies wanting to go to Coiba and one interested in going. Still waiting on answers.

There is only ONE Airbnb in the Drake Bay Area that is available. So will book that if I get some takers. We need to go sooner than your timeframe.

What are the Catalina ilsands like?

 

[etxtacoma]

The Catalina islands were really nice imo, first day was raining and it was still a great dive. Second day diving was clear and sunny and even better visibility. Saw lots of White Tipped Reef Sharks, two little octopuses, lots of different schools of fish, would recommend diving there for sure.

 

[rmorgan]

Drake Bay is small, and the main dive operator, Costa Rica Adventure Divers, will pick up and drop off in their boat--at least, the did for us. Very professional operator with good guides, good management, good rental gear. Isla Caño was better than we expected--reefs are patchy, but sharks, turtles, octopus, etc. DB is really quite remote, so costs are higher than in a more accessible area--but worth it if you can square the cost. Take the night tour with the Bug Lady--really knowledgeable. And take rain gear!

 

[Saltwaterconnection]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to visit Costa Rica during the last week of December to dive at Isla del Caño.

I'm an AOW diver with a bit more than 200 dives, and I'm traveling with my two daughters, who are Open Water certified. They have around 20 dives each, all done in lakes and the Caribbean Sea, so all easy dives with no drift and good visibility.

Is Isla del Caño a good and safe place for OW divers? Based on what I've seen online, I think so, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm this.

Regarding accommodations, I'm planning to stay in Uvita, but I've read that the last week of the year is very busy in tourist areas. A lot of people take the week off, so routes are often congested, and hotel and service capacities are generally full. Is this true? Any tips if this is the case? Unfortunately, I'm a bit constrained by my job, so my vacation dates are almost fixed.

Thanks in advance!

Isla del Caño is indeed a fantastic and safe place for Open Water divers, with dive sites that cater to different experience levels. With over 200 dives under your belt and your daughters' Open Water certifications, you can all have an amazing experience. There are sites with calm conditions and great visibility, which would be ideal for your daughters as they gain more experience. Additionally, for you as an AOW diver, there are more advanced sites to explore if you're looking for a bit more thrill.

I'd be happy to help you plan your trip, and I highly recommend diving with Costa Rica Dive and Surf. They have experienced guides and provide a professional and welcoming service, ensuring everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Regarding accommodations, it's true that the last week of December can get quite busy in Uvita and other tourist areas. I suggest booking your accommodation and dive trips well in advance. It’s also a good idea to start early in the mornings to avoid traffic and enjoy the dives before the crowds pick up.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

 

[Saltwaterconnection]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to visit Costa Rica during the last week of December to dive at Isla del Caño.

I'm an AOW diver with a bit more than 200 dives, and I'm traveling with my two daughters, who are Open Water certified. They have around 20 dives each, all done in lakes and the Caribbean Sea, so all easy dives with no drift and good visibility.

Is Isla del Caño a good and safe place for OW divers? Based on what I've seen online, I think so, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm this.

Regarding accommodations, I'm planning to stay in Uvita, but I've read that the last week of the year is very busy in tourist areas. A lot of people take the week off, so routes are often congested, and hotel and service capacities are generally full. Is this true? Any tips if this is the case? Unfortunately, I'm a bit constrained by my job, so my vacation dates are almost fixed.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

If you’re coming to Costa Rica to dive, Isla del Caño is an absolute must-visit! It’s a fantastic and safe place for Open Water divers, with several sites that cater to different levels of experience. The clear waters and marine life will make it an unforgettable experience for both you and your daughters.

Since you’re planning to stay in Uvita, keep in mind that the last week of December is indeed a busy time. I recommend booking your accommodations and diving trips as early as possible to secure your spots. Early morning dives are a good option to avoid traffic and get ahead of the crowds.

For diving arrangements, I highly recommend Costa Rica Dive and Surf. They are the best company that visits Isla del Caño, offering professional services and experienced guides. Despite being the top choice, their prices remain competitive, giving you great value for an exceptional experience.