Anyone ever SCUBA'd in Costa Rica?

Aragorn · 11-03-2001, 11:18 PM

OK, so we're planning our next dive trip. I've heard nice stuff about Costa Rica. Anyone been there? I see that there are nice reefs on the Caribbean side, but haven't seemed to locate any dive shops. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

SamiLynne · 11-04-2001, 05:32 PM

Haven't been there myself, but it sounds like a good trip. ?I've heard that the diving around Costa Rica is breathtaking....take me take me

not that it was the best feedback, but oh well

Aragorn · 11-04-2001, 05:44 PM

Thanks SamiLynne

Yes, I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica(ocean, rain forests, volcanos etc). We've just recently returned from a dive trip to the Cook Islands that was absolutely fabulous. My problem w/ Costa Rica is that I checked on the internet and was unable to locate any dive masters/shops on the Carribean side. This is where their true reefs are located. I don't want to do shore diving. So, I'll keep checking. Maybe we'll go back to the Cooks. That certainly won't break my heart.

ranaman · 11-04-2001, 09:27 PM

How about a real adventure vacation, king cobras, crocodiles, coral reefs, and muslim guerillas. Bet you can get a real good room rate. see http://www.flyphilippines.com/palawa...spalmasresort/
If you want caribbean you might check out Belize and Honduras Belize is maybe not as deforested. Costa Rica might have too much freshwater discharge on the atlantic side for a good reef. Trinidad-Tobago might have the right combo of forest(trinidad) and reef (tobago) Some of the little islands might be neat like Dominica (not to confused with Dominican Republic) Grenada, etc.

Aragorn · 11-04-2001, 11:27 PM

Ranaman,

Yeah, we've considered Belize but I feel that it's become quite "touristified". I might check out the other one's you've mentioned. Thanks.

ranaman · 11-05-2001, 07:32 AM

The fern society in miami used to go collecting in Dominica. So there are some impressive tree ferns etc. Also the island has the largest and rarest amazon parrot the imperial amazon. There is also the island form of boa constictor, and the island species of iguana (Iguana fragillis sp?) Did a quick check on google and there are some dive operations there. I don't think there is an airport that can handle jets so this helps to keep things low key.

PerryinCA · 11-05-2001, 08:28 PM

Dave,

If you are looking for someplace amazing to go diving, there's no substitute for Palau. The biodiversity is #1 in the world. The reefs are rich, the exchange rate good, and looks awesome!

Some it may be a little "touristy", but much if it is not. Have had many dive buddies recommend it as the ultimate vacation destination. The West Caroline Islands have a good reputation.

Here are some links I have found real quick.

http://www.destmic.com/palau.html
http://www.visit-palau.com/
http://www.underwatercolors.com/necopal.html
http://www.reefrainfrst.com/micronesiapalaupacific.htm

Just a thought.

Other places that look great are Fiji, Curacao (sp?), and the GBR in Oz (but I'll be moving there in a few years so that vacation can wait

).

Too many great places to Dive.

-Perry

PS - You had a chance (or wanted to

) dive Monterey? There's some amazing stuff out there. Sure, the water may be a little cold, but with a 7mm suit on you don't even feel it. Monastery beach is probably my favorite down there.

Reinhold · 11-07-2001, 06:35 PM

This month's edition of SPORT DIVER magazine (December 2001, Volume 9, No.9) has an entire section on diving in Costa Rica, including information on many dive operations in different parts of the country. Check it out.

Aragorn · 11-07-2001, 06:55 PM

Very cool guys. Thanks.

Perry,
Yes, we're planning on diving Monterey as soon as we purchase our gear. I'll let you know, OK? As for Fiji, well, if I'm gonna do the South Pacific then we'll go back to The Cooks. Cheaper, less "touristy", and absolutely fabulous(The Cooks are between Fiji and Tahiti). BTW, round trip airfare to Palau is $2000! Love to go, but The Cooks are $1000 and Costa Rica is $500. I'd like to save as much as I can on airfare so I can spend more on dives. Palau looks good though.

Reinhold,
I'll definitely pick up the mag.

Thanks again.

**scubadude** · 11-08-2001, 08:56 AM

I have heard that the diving in CR is good...but like above mentioned...if you goin just for diving then Palau, Belize, and if you have the $$ GBR or area!! I think there are other reasons for goin to CR though too...fishing, SURFING!! supposedly there are waves there that you could ride for 25+minutes if you have wat it takes! I would definately get back up on a stick if I went over to Costa Rica!

11-04-2001, 05:44 PM	#3
Aragorn Governor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pine Grove, CA USA Posts: 2,064	Thanks SamiLynne Yes, I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica(ocean, rain forests, volcanos etc). We've just recently returned from a dive trip to the Cook Islands that was absolutely fabulous. My problem w/ Costa Rica is that I checked on the internet and was unable to locate any dive masters/shops on the Carribean side. This is where their true reefs are located. I don't want to do shore diving. So, I'll keep checking. Maybe we'll go back to the Cooks. That certainly won't break my heart. __________________ "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

11-04-2001, 09:27 PM	#4
ranaman Council Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Imperial Polk County, Fl Posts: 432	How about a real adventure vacation, king cobras, crocodiles, coral reefs, and muslim guerillas. Bet you can get a real good room rate. see http://www.flyphilippines.com/palawa...spalmasresort/ If you want caribbean you might check out Belize and Honduras Belize is maybe not as deforested. Costa Rica might have too much freshwater discharge on the atlantic side for a good reef. Trinidad-Tobago might have the right combo of forest(trinidad) and reef (tobago) Some of the little islands might be neat like Dominica (not to confused with Dominican Republic) Grenada, etc. __________________ "The octopus notices the little cowries." Last edited by ranaman; 11-04-2001 at 09:34 PM.

11-04-2001, 11:27 PM	#5
Aragorn Governor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pine Grove, CA USA Posts: 2,064	Ranaman, Yeah, we've considered Belize but I feel that it's become quite "touristified". I might check out the other one's you've mentioned. Thanks. __________________ "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

11-05-2001, 07:32 AM	#6
ranaman Council Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Imperial Polk County, Fl Posts: 432	The fern society in miami used to go collecting in Dominica. So there are some impressive tree ferns etc. Also the island has the largest and rarest amazon parrot the imperial amazon. There is also the island form of boa constictor, and the island species of iguana (Iguana fragillis sp?) Did a quick check on google and there are some dive operations there. I don't think there is an airport that can handle jets so this helps to keep things low key. __________________ "The octopus notices the little cowries."

11-07-2001, 06:55 PM	#9
Aragorn Governor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pine Grove, CA USA Posts: 2,064	Very cool guys. Thanks. Perry, Yes, we're planning on diving Monterey as soon as we purchase our gear. I'll let you know, OK? As for Fiji, well, if I'm gonna do the South Pacific then we'll go back to The Cooks. Cheaper, less "touristy", and absolutely fabulous(The Cooks are between Fiji and Tahiti). BTW, round trip airfare to Palau is $2000! Love to go, but The Cooks are $1000 and Costa Rica is $500. I'd like to save as much as I can on airfare so I can spend more on dives. Palau looks good though. Reinhold, I'll definitely pick up the mag. Thanks again. __________________ "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

11-03-2001, 11:18 PM	#1
Aragorn Governor Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pine Grove, CA USA Posts: 2,064	Anyone ever SCUBA'd in Costa Rica? OK, so we're planning our next dive trip. I've heard nice stuff about Costa Rica. Anyone been there? I see that there are nice reefs on the Caribbean side, but haven't seemed to locate any dive shops. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

11-04-2001, 05:32 PM	#2
SamiLynne Just Moved In Join Date: May 2001 Location: Farmington, MN Posts: 20	Haven't been there myself, but it sounds like a good trip. ?I've heard that the diving around Costa Rica is breathtaking....take me take me not that it was the best feedback, but oh well

11-05-2001, 08:28 PM	#7
PerryinCA Governor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 2,103	Dave, If you are looking for someplace amazing to go diving, there's no substitute for Palau. The biodiversity is #1 in the world. The reefs are rich, the exchange rate good, and looks awesome! Some it may be a little "touristy", but much if it is not. Have had many dive buddies recommend it as the ultimate vacation destination. The West Caroline Islands have a good reputation. Here are some links I have found real quick. http://www.destmic.com/palau.html http://www.visit-palau.com/ http://www.underwatercolors.com/necopal.html http://www.reefrainfrst.com/micronesiapalaupacific.htm Just a thought. Other places that look great are Fiji, Curacao (sp?), and the GBR in Oz (but I'll be moving there in a few years so that vacation can wait ). Too many great places to Dive. -Perry PS - You had a chance (or wanted to ) dive Monterey? There's some amazing stuff out there. Sure, the water may be a little cold, but with a 7mm suit on you don't even feel it. Monastery beach is probably my favorite down there.

11-07-2001, 06:35 PM	#8
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	This month's edition of SPORT DIVER magazine (December 2001, Volume 9, No.9) has an entire section on diving in Costa Rica, including information on many dive operations in different parts of the country. Check it out.

11-08-2001, 08:56 AM	#10
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,283	I have heard that the diving in CR is good...but like above mentioned...if you goin just for diving then Palau, Belize, and if you have the $$ GBR or area!! I think there are other reasons for goin to CR though too...fishing, SURFING!! supposedly there are waves there that you could ride for 25+minutes if you have wat it takes! I would definately get back up on a stick if I went over to Costa Rica! __________________ Rocky

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode