Are you looking for the perfect place to stay during your Costa Rican diving adventure? Finding the ideal diving resort can be a challenge. With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to know which one will truly enhance your experience. At Bill Beard’s Costa Rica, we can help!
With our deep knowledge of Costa Rica’s diving scene and passion for underwater exploration, we’ll guide you to the best Costa Rica scuba diving resorts, ensuring a diving vacation tailored to your needs.
What part of Costa Rica is Best to Stay in for Diving?
Guanacaste is the best part of Costa Rica to stay for diving because it offers convenience and stunning scenery all in one place. Moreover, the area is home to some of the best Costa Rica dive resorts, where you’ll find different Discover Scuba Diving experiences, guided scuba diving tours, and scuba equipment rentals.
Take a look at the other three aspects that make Guanacaste a top choice for scuba divers:
Location
Guanacaste’s prime location on Costa Rica’s Northwest Pacific coast allows easy access to other parts of the country and offers divers numerous dive sites to choose from — divers have access to local diving in the Gulf of Papagayo, plus long-range dive sites at the Catalina and Bat Islands.
It is close to Daniel Oduber Int’l (LIR) airport in Liberia, and home to some of the best Costa Rica all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels.
Divers wanting to continue their dive education will find experienced dive instructors and well-maintained scuba equipment for rent.
Underwater guides make navigation easy in the Gulf of Papagyao which includes the popular coastal towns of Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa.
Also a short distance farther from LIR divers will find accommodations in Playa Flamingo, Portrero, Playa Conchal and Playa Tamarindo, which are close to the Catalina Islands.
Marine life
Guanacaste’s underwater world is filled with diverse marine life like sailfish, dolphins, turtles, eels, large schools of tropical fish, Cortez angelfish, parrotfish, devil rays, spotted eagle rays, and occasional whale sharks.
Moreover, the marine life you encounter can vary depending on the dive site. For example, diving on the Bat Island offers the chance to see bull sharks, while the Catalina Islands are known for seasonal migrations of Pacific giant manta rays from November through April. Furthermore, you can go to Cocos Island to encounter hammerhead sharks.
Diving conditions
Diving in Costa Rica is excellent year-round, especially when you visit Guanacaste. Throughout the year, its waters maintain a consistent temperature, ranging from 26.9°C (80.4°F) in October and November to 29.6°C (85.3°F) in April.
The waters are clear with mild currents and excellent visibility of marine life and underwater landscapes. Additionally, you can enjoy stunning views even at depths exceeding 100 feet.
Guanacaste is a great place for your next diving adventure!
5 Top Scuba Diving Resorts in Costa Rica
Explore our top pick for Costa Rica dive resorts:
Bosque del Mar
Hotel Bosque del Mar offers sustainable luxury for divers in Playa Hermosa. This boutique hotel sits directly on the beach and has less than 40 rooms, a beautiful beach front restaurant and upstairs bar. Within walking distance, guests will find plenty of restaurants and bars, plus a small, well equipped grocery store.
With more than 22 local dive sites just 10-15 minutes from your hotel, you can explore marine life such as manta rays, sea turtles, sharks, and reef fish. While staying at Bosque del Mar, divers can also make long-range dive trips to the Catalina and Bat Islands.
After a day of diving, divers can relax in spacious guest rooms featuring natural materials and earthy tones, plus a patio or deck.
Ask the expert scuba diving agents about Bill Beard’s scuba diving and adventure packages, which include accommodations, boat dives, roundtrip airport transfers, all hotel taxes, and service charges, customized with nature or adventure tours tailored to your taste.
Bosque del Mar offers easy access to incredible dive sites!
CC Beach Front Hotel
This exclusive boutique hotel on Playa Panama in Papagayo Bay offers a comfortable beachfront retreat surrounded by tropical dry forests.
When staying at CC Beach Front Hotel, guests will find no hills or long walks to get from their rooms to the beach, restaurant, pool or bar!
It’s located just 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport (LIR) and also has easy access to the lively town of Playa del Coco with lively entertainment options.
Be sure to ask our expert dive travel agents about dive packages, which include accommodations, boat dives, all-inclusive amenities, airport transfers, free WiFi, taxes, and service charges.
Enjoy a tranquil experience at CC BeachFront Papagayo!
Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo
Located in Playas Flamingo, divers staying at Margaritaville will find the Pacific Ocean directly in front of the hotel and be treated to spectacular great sunsets with the Catalina Islands as the backdrop.
About an hour and 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport, divers will enjoy local diving at the Catalina Islands. With poolside rooms, family bunkbed suites and a choice of either Breakfast Daily or an All-Inclusive option, divers can choose the plan that they like best. Make sure to try the Passion Fruit Margarita, and get the splash of tabasco to take it to the next level!
Nearby Tamarindo is an eclectic beach town where you can learn to surf with lessons that guarantee you will be standing up and catching a wave or get your money back.
Bill Beard’s offers zipline, ATV, Sunset Sailing Cruises and Combo Adventure tours and more from the Catalina Islands!
Margaritaviille is the perfect choice for an unforgettable diving adventure!
Secrets Papagayo
Situated on the stunning Papagayo Peninsula, Secrets Papagayo offers a luxurious escape for divers looking for an adults-only resort experience.
Located just a short 20-minute drive from Liberia International Airport (LIR), this serene beachfront resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens, providing an intimate and romantic setting.
Guests will enjoy elegant accommodations with beautiful views, a world-class spa, gourmet dining options and various activities that include swimming, dancing, and relaxing on private beaches.
Ask our expert scuba diving agents to create a custom package for you with accommodations, private airport transfers and nature or adventure tours tailored to your vacation desires.
Find luxurious suites and exquisite dining experiences at Secrets Papagayo.
El Mangroove Resort
El Mangroove offers laid-back, luxurious, comfort and accommodations conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Liberia (LIR) airport. This beach front hotel stands as one of Guanacaste’s top hotels known for top-notch service.
With views of the Gulf of Papagayo, the hotel seamlessly combines forests with beaches. You can spend your days at Playa Panama, relaxing at the spa or chilling by the outdoor pool.
Want to enjoy more of Guanacaste during your stay at El Mangroove, ask Bill Beard’s dive travel experts about nature and adventure tours to enhance your experience.
El Mangroove Dive Resort allows you to explore the underwater wonders of Costa Rica.
How to Select the Ideal Costa Rica Scuba Diving Resort
Finding the best Costa Rica scuba diving resort involves considering essential factors. That’s why we’ve narrowed down the most important ones for you to make the perfect choice:
Location and accessibility
Look for resorts near popular dive sites in the Gulf of Papagayo or that are accessible to popular sites like the Catalina Islands and Bat Islands to maximize your opportunity to see the best of Guanacaste’s diverse marine ecosystems.
Choose resorts close to Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste. If you fly into San Jose, you will find yourself more than four hours from the best year-round land-based dive sites that Costa Rica has to offer!
Accommodations
Looking for a luxury resort that caters to Adults Only? Or is a small hidden gem like a boutique hotel more your style? Make sure to pick the one that suits your style, and let our agents make your dive arrangements.
Scuba Diving Packages
Dive packages can save you money and time. But, more important they ensure that you have space on the boat for your vacation dates, especially during high or Peak Seasons.
Ask our expert dive travel agents to customize a dive package for you so you can maximize your precious vacation time.
Amenities
While diving is exciting, it can also be demanding. For this reason, it is crucial to consider a resort with great amenities. These include comfortable ocean-view accommodations, onsite dining, spa services, infinity pools, and fitness centers.
As a diver, you are charged with protecting the ocean, so make sure your choice of accommodations maintains eco-friendly practices.
Take your time to compare options and find the best dive resort for you!
Ensure Your Stay is Perfect with Bill Beard’s Costa Rica!
Costa Rica offers amazing beach resorts that make it easy to experience great dive sites, diverse sea life, and a unique underwater landscape. At Bill Beard’s Costa Rica, we can help you enjoy all these during your stay. Our company specializes in creating customized dive packages to ensure an unforgettable adventure tailored to your preferences.
Contact our team at Bill Beard’s Costa Rica now to start planning your dream dive vacation. Book your dive trip today!