Costa Rica Travel – Playa del Coco is quite possibly the best scuba dive spot on Costa Rica’s Pacific! One visit there will leave you knowing exactly why Costa Rica is translated as “rich coast.” You can expect to see tropical fish and coral reefs in any location. On some dives you may even spot a bull shark or giant manta or an enormous turtle!
There are two main Costa Rica scuba dive schools with a great reputation in Playa del Coco: Summer Salt Dive Center and Rich Coast Diving. With both of these dives are done in small groups for safety and quality. The dive centers offer fun trips on nice catamarans to go snorkeling or diving. There are trips available for all levels. Packages are available which include housing and other tours.
Rich Coast Diving is visited by many tourists each year because it’s the only place in the country that is a PADI 5 career development center. Courses are also offered here, from beginner lessons to instructor training. Classrooms are air conditioned for your comfort and free equipment storage is available. For the advanced divers a free dive master internship is available. Course topics are of a wide variety and include some really interesting ones such as rescue diving, ice diving, coral reef conservation, and underwater photography.
With the Costa Rica After Dark Discount Card You Can Get Any of the following at Rich Coast Diving:
- 10% Discount for Certified Divers
- Complimentary Confined-Water Dive for any Non-Divers Wanting to sign up for Discover Scuba.
- Upgrade to the Open-Water Ocean Dive 10% of The Regular Price of a $140.
Summer Salt Dive Center promises you will leave knowing the meaning of “Pura Vida!” They love to point out the eagle, southern, and devil rays as well as octopus, seahorses, and various creatures. They can take you to “the world of weightlessness,” a maximum depth of 110 ft. Classes are offered in multiple languages online to take before you arrive.
This beautiful area is known to the world through underwater documentaries and great online reviews. The water is usually between 78 and 84 degrees. June through September are the best months for visibility, while if you come between January and March you may hear whales teaching their newborns how to be whales. It’s quite a show!
By Kerry La
