PADI Undersea Journal....

COSTA RICA: BEAUTIFUL BY NATURE
THE PADI PROFESSIONAL'S GUIDE TO DIVING COSTA RICA

Everything you need to know to book travel or to
lead a group to this spectacular dive destination.

COSTA RICA AT A GLANCE

According to the excellent Lonely Planet guide, Costa Rica, "Travelers today are increasingly turning toward the tropics as an exciting, adventurous and exotic destination. Of the many attractive tropical countries to choose from, Costa Rica stands out as one of the most delightful in the world." Dive travelers are definitely discovering this delightful truth, as well.

About the size of West Virginia, USA, Costa Rica claims an unbelieveable variety of landscapes, including Caribbean and Pacific beaches, soaring mountains, active volcanoes, tropical rainforests and vibrant cities and towns. Within this environment, the numerous and varied species of wildlife are incredible, including exotic birds in their natural habitat, many types of monkeys, huge sloths, sea turtles, and mnay others. There are between 500,000 and one million total species of flora and fauna in Costa Rica, including 50,000 different types of insects and more than 2000 different orchids.

More than 25 percent of this Central American country is protected by some means of land conservation, with more than 10 percent being part of Costa Rica's national park system. Add to this numerous marine parks and private preserves--and you have a natural wonderland.

Sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama, where civil unrest can occasionally become an unpleasant part of a vacation, Costa Rica is one of the most peaceful places on earth. Democratic elections have been held since the 19th century and, in fact, Costa Rica doesn't even have an army anymore.

Maybe that's why Costa Ricans (about 3.8 million in the year 2000 census), who are called Ticos, seem to be among the friendliest folks in the world.

OVERVIEW OF COSTA RICA DIVING

Costa Rica is just starting to get the major attention it deserves for underwater wonders that match it’s topside natural attractions. Long-known as offering the unique diving destination of Cocos Island--300 miles out into the Pacific--Costa Rica also features great diving (and super snorkeling) along both the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.

Costa Rican diving is definitely highlighted by large numbers (and sizes) of big fish, including lots of varied sharks, groupers, jewfish, and many others--as well as some unique coral life, eels, turtles, and more. Lots of varied operators and resorts are catering to the growing number of visiting divers.

Dive operators (and dive-oriented resorts) tend to be small. The Costa Rican diving experience generally provides an up close and personal experience above and below the surface. Visiting divers are sure to come away with at least one “local” or “big fish” story--and maybe even a few words of Spanish.

Again, typical Tico friendliness comes into play on and off the dive boat. The Lonely Planet guide says, “Costa Ricans delight in showing off their lovely country to visitors, and wherever you go, you’ll find the locals to be a constant source of help, smiles, and information.” In addition, the Costa Rican-run tourism website (www.visitcostarica.com) and toll-free help line (866-COSTA RICA) can provide further friendly help.

Some of the best coastal diving is located in the northern region of the northwestern Peninsula de Nicoya on the Pacific Coast. Playa del Coco, Playa Ocotal, and Playa Hermosa are all popular destinations, with full-service dive operators and lots of varied diving possibilities that feature more big fish than coral.

Dive boats tend to head out to the volcanic rock pinnacles nearby, as well as Isla Santa Catalina to the southeast and Islas Murcielago (Bat Islands) to the northwest. Typical sightings during dives in this region include manta rays (and other ray species), sharks (including bulls), and huge schools of Pacific fish.

As with most Costa Rica diving, visibility isn’t always spectacular. However, it’s typically more than made up for with various marine life spottings. The water is generally warm year-round, though some sort of protection suit is always recommended. This area and the rest of Costa Rica still offers uncrowded diving most of the time--and new sites are always being discovered!

Dry season winds blowing from early-December to late-March can make for rough (and cooler) water, but manta rays are reported most frequently at Isla Santa Catalina during these same times (and into late-April). In the wet season--which is generally mid-April to late-December--the Bat Islands often feature large bull sharks and other pelagics, making the typical two-hour boat ride well worth it for most divers.

To the south, Isla de Cano is another popular Pacific Coast diver destination--for good reason! Accessed mainly through resorts in the Drake Bay area--which is a great ecotourism base for diving and much more--Cano is about 19 kilometers/12 miles off the coast.

Several dive sites, which are considered part of the protected biological reserve, feature lively underwater rock formations, coral reefs, and lots of fish. There’s also a postcard-pretty beach, hiking, and a rainforest. Conditions tend to be pretty good year-round, though the best visibility comes during the dry season.

Of course, the Pacific Ocean also features Costa Rica’s Cocos Island, a world-class diving destination. Located more than 300 miles southwest of the mainland, Cocos Island is a national park that offers more than 70 species of plants, 80 species of birds, and lots of other animals (including feral pigs and other animals that are causing some serious erosion problems for park rangers).

Divers come to Cocos Island by live-aboard to experience lots of marine life, potentially including impressive numbers of manta rays, white-tip, whale, and hammerhead sharks, tuna, dolphins, and many others. Those considering a Cocos trip should keep in mind it typically takes around 36 hours to reach it by live-aboard.

Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline isn’t nearly as well-known for diving as that on the Pacific side. However, with more coral than that found on the Pacific and plenty of protected sites, Costa Rica’s Caribbean diving is sure to continue its growing attraction.

The country’s largest coral reef is part of the Cahuita National Park, which is located just south of its namesake town. The point at Puerto Viejo, as well as Cocies Point and Uva Point, have lots of healthy coral formations and Caribbean marine life. In addition, Manzanillo, a small fishing village further south of Cahuita, also has interesting offshore dive sites.

The port city of Limon--especially around the Uvita Island--offers quite convenient Caribbean diving as well. At all of these sites, visibility tends to be best from March to early-May and again from mid-August to mid-November.

SURFACE INTERVALS

As can be expected with this wealth of natural assets, ecotourism is alive and well in Costa Rica. Many small operators host visiting hikers, campers, birdwatchers, whitewater rafters, surfers, general adventurers, and--of course--increasing numbers of scuba divers.

According to Lonely Planet’s guide, “Costa Rica’s greatest attractions are natural. Rainforests, active volcanoes, and prolific birdlife are certainly at the top of the list because they are more accessible in Costa Rica than in most other countries with similar attractions.

“The national park system is the best in Central America and provides visitors with memorable experiences: You can safely peer into a smoking volcanic crater one day and photograph a flock of scarlet macaws flying over a coastal rainforest the next.” Actually, you could do both of these in the same day!

Though tourism continues to grow quickly, as word spreads of this country’s wonders, a large majority of accommodations options feature less than 50 rooms (and many have just a few). In this day of cookie-cutter tourism, a Costa Rica trip typically comes with a very personal and local touch.

Most trips to Costa Rica start out in the capital city of San Jose (though the international airport in Liberia--about 201 kilometers/125 miles northwest of San Jose--is becoming a popular alternative for Guanacaste-bound visitors). While San Jose is a typically crowded and crazy major city, many smart Costa Rica visitors plan to spend a few days roaming the streets, visiting some excellent museums, learning a bit of tourist Spanish, and possibly catching a performance in the Teatro Nacional, the country’s center of culture.

Outside the capital, you can go in any direction and quickly be surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the world. Whether you want sandy beaches or mountains that stretch to the horizon, you can get there quickly from San Jose. Some highlights might include Guanacaste National Park for hiking, Poas Volcano for peering into an active volcanic vision, Manuel Antonio for beaches and jungles, and whitewater rafting on the Reventazon or Pacuare, but that’s just the beginning of a list that would take many dive-oriented vacations to accomplish.

Other incredible outdoors opportunities during topside time in Costa Rica include: sea kayaking; fishing; windsurfing; surfing; horseback riding; rainforest canopy tours; hiking; mountain biking; lots of general wildlife watching; birdwatching; bungee jumping; visiting coffee plantations; and so much more. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love the topside half of this country.

Another great thing about visiting Costa Rica is that everything is so close. Unless you’re diving out off remote Cocos Island, time not spent diving can quickly lead to a wide variety of activities. Incredibly, the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines are typically three or four hours away from each other and, of course, the incredibly varied mountains (and volcanoes) are in between.

Ecotourism reigns in Costa Rica and many feel the growth is happening too quickly. But government officials have a good plan for continued growth, while protecting this amazing country’s natural assets for generations to come--including the natural underwater world!