Costa Rica - Wetsuit Thickness

[dugur13]

I'm going to be doing some diving down in costa rica on the pacific side by playas del coco and am wondering what wetsuit I'll need. I just bought a 3mm, but have heard some people recommend 5mm due to severe thermoclines. Maybe a 3mm and a vest? Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Scared Silly]

What time of year? I used a 4/3 in late November and it was fine.

 

[dugur13]

October, November, December

 

[Scuba65]

I've been there at all times of yr. and being a girl i get cold easily...but, i've only worn a skin and i've been just fine.

 

[mbs]

I was there Nov 2004 and my logs show temps ranging from 70 to 82F. I was in a 3mm full and recall being very happy to hit the warmer water as we surfaced. Others on the boat had hooded vests and I would have used one if I had it.

 

[OssieW]

I have been diving in Playas del Coco, with Rich Coast Diving. I have my own 3mm full body suit, and in october that was fine. The dry season starts in november, and that will make the water a little colder. Rich Coast Diving offered me a shorty to wear over my own suit!
You should check them out when you are going. Have fun!

 

[puravida02]

This Tico who regularly dives there recommends a 5 mm for the rainy season ("warm" waters) and a 5 mm + hood or 5 mm + shorty for the dry season (Dec-April). I have a 5/4/3 but I normally don't dive Guanacaste during the dry season, just too cold for me. Maybe people more used to colder weather/waters don't have such an issue.

 

[mjh]

We just got back from Cocos Island, CR. I was very happy in a 5m out there some of the thermoclines got into the 60s. A 3mm and vest should be ok you might want to bring gloves and bennie/hood.

 

[Rich Coast Diving]

Hola,
The temperature right now is 82 or 28 celsius, and I (instructor) still wear a 3mm shorty. It does get colder in the next months, and I change to a 3mm long and sometimes for the second dive a 1mm vest, but that is fine and I am a girl and get cold pretty fast.
Most divers use the 3mm long, but the hard core divers still prefer the shorty.
I would bring a 3mm and if you are too cold you can use a shorty from our rental program.
Maybe see you soon. Happy diving.

 

[abdiver]

I just got back the water was in the mid 80s. I wore a 2mm and was fine.We dove around Playa Coco