Costa Rica is a small democratic republic on the Central America isthmus. The Pacific Ocean lies off its west coast, and the Caribbean Sea is to the east. With more than 1200 miles of coastline, as well as offshore island chains, Costa Rica offers excellent scuba-diving opportunities.
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The Pacific Coast has a number of world-class diving facilities, with PADI-training courses and dive shops, but the Caribbean coast is less developed.
Weather
Costa Rica’s climate is tropical, and water temperatures are suitable for diving all year-round. The dry season lasts from December through March, and the rainy season is April through November, with most rain falling during the afternoons. The Papagayo winds make for choppy sea conditions during the dry season, although it is usually calmer in the mornings. Underwater visibility is good in the Caribbean, but in the Pacific, visibility is best in a few specific areas such as Drake’s Bay and Gulf Of Papagayo.
Where to Stay
Coastal resorts in Playa del Coco, Playa Flamingo & Playa Hermosa make a good base for your scuba vacation, with a variety of choices in accommodations as well as shops, bars and clubs. Some agents offer scuba-vacation packages, such as Bill Beard’s Costa Rica Scuba Diving & Adventure Travel Company, with a wide variety of vacation packages & five-star PADI dive resorts that offers diving courses from basic “learn to dive” up to “Dive Master” level, as well as daily guided scuba excursions for divers of all abilities. Bill Beard’s also offers vacation packages for the non-divers as well.
Isla del Caño
Isla del Caño in the Pacific Ocean is one of Costa Rica’s top dive spots, with great visibility and abundant marine life that is attracted by the deep, cold waters. Species include sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, tuna, grouper, snapper, barracuda and sharks, as well as humpback and pilot whales. The island is a marine biological reserve, so diver numbers are strictly regulated.
The Catalina Islands are off the Pacific coast. In the dry season, divers will encounter giant manta rays; while white-tip reef sharks, barracuda, eagle rays and devil rays can be spotted year-round. This is an advanced dive site, and the main diving areas are The Point and The Wall. The islands are accessible from resorts in the Gulf of Papagayo.
Islas Murcielagos
The Bat Islands are considered by some divers to be one of the country’s most outstanding dive venues. The islands are a protected marine area in Santa Rosa National Park, so you need special permits to dive. The rainy season is the best time for diving, when you can expect to see large congregations of schooling fish, manta rays and zebra eels. At the Big Scare, you can also swim with bull sharks. Islas Murcielagos is an advanced dive site, with possibly strong currents and choppy surface conditions.
Considerations
You must be able to provide proof that you are a certified scuba diver to dive in open waters; otherwise, you must undertake training with a PADI-certified instructor. A basic scuba course will take two days, and a full open water course comprises four days. Please contact Bill Beard’s and we will make all the arrangements.
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Sublimely beautiful Costa Rica has something for everyone. The treats range from exciting adventure to leisurely relaxation, and everything in between that we can add to your vacation package. Furthermore, tourists can sample the laid-back national lifestyle that ticos (the name the Costa Ricans call themselves) refer to as ‘Pura Vida’ – ‘pure life’: no stress, no hassle. All this, combined with unsurpassed natural beauty and a developed and accommodating tourist industry, makes Costa Rica a wonderful place to visit and vacation.
Our agents can set up the all inclusive or al a carte vacation package and itinerary you want throughout the country. There is no charge for our service and we’ll save you money and lots of time and you’ll get the vacation you want.
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To see all 189 of the adventure tours that Bill Beard’s operates Throughout Costa Rica: CLICK HERE
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Our Reservation Office Is Located In La Fortuna, Costa Rica In The Shadow Of Arenal Volcano, behind the Catholic Church, Near The World Famous Hot Springs.
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Our next consumer trade show will be “Beneath The Sea”, dive & travel show – March 23 – 25, 2018 at Secaucus N.J. in Meadowlands Exposition Center, Booth # 510, Seminar 1:30 on Sat. – Door Prizes
IMPORTANT NOTE – Please be advised that every reasonable effort has been made to keep all prices up to date and free of errors or omissions. Prices and policies from our vendors and the Costa Rican government are subject to change without notice. Invoices will be issued at the time of booking to confirm all final rates and offers.