Newish Diver looking for a Costa Rica Trip

[JamesBon92007]

I went diving in Costa Rica mainly because I was going to Costa Rica and they have diving. I only did one two-tank trip while there (also in Guanacaste like ibj40) and that was from Playa del Cocos. I went with Sirenas Diving and saw a whole bunch of cool stuff including three sunken boats (shipwrecks?), lots of morays and octopi and eagle rays plus some big white tips-laying on the sand. This was in August and it was very humid but the visibility was decent (30-40 feet). Since my girlfriend was not yet certified we spent a lot of time snorkeling from Playa Hermosa and saw a lot of great stuff there too.

I have heard that the diving at some of the nearby islands is really great but have not yet been there. Just off the top of my head I think it's Cocos Island that is considered world class diving. The main thing that stops me from going back is the prices compared to other destinations. Everything was expensive. I can get to (guess where?) Cozumel for only a little more in airfare, everything is very reasonably priced, and I don't have to take a three hour boat trip for great diving. If prices were a bit cheaper there I'd hop on a plane and back to CR because there were many things I liked about it. We'll probably return if we are suddenly feeling wealthier than usual.

Tip: If you do go and if you go on any tours I strongly recommend Mardigi Tours. I rarely recommend anyone. Most people love their tours and think they are worth the muchos Colones (their currency). BTW, almost everyone there accepts US Dollars (at least where I went). The registers at the grocery stores are even set up to accept US money but you may get change in Colones. And don't be surprised if you meet blonde-hair, blue-eyed people that don't speak any English

 

[outofofficebrb]

Diving off PDC as mentioned by @JamesBon92007 was good. Rocket Frog Divers was excellent. I recommend it if you will be in CR but still don’t recommend going to CR even if you don’t do any diving if you only have 5 days. CR needs way more time than that.

Cats and Bats Islands are nearby islands to PDC with a lot of pelagics (giant pacific mantas, bull sharks) but it is not beginner friendly diving. Blue water safety stops, surge, current, varying visibility, no mooring lines for ascent or descent.

Cocos Island is definitely not for the beginner or inexperienced but is supposed to be excellent diving. It’s a 36 hour crossing by liveaboard from puntarenas.