Scuba diving locations in Costa Rica:

• Around the Osa Peninsula, Caño Islandis protected as a biological reserve by the Costa Rican Government and the water surrounding the island is pristine and teeming with life.

• The Gulf of Papagayo has volcanic rock formations and soft corals.

• Corcovado National Park has Costa Rica's last primary rainforest and the wonders continue in the water.

• Catalina and Bat Islands attract rays, sharks, angelfish, grunts, snapper, octopus as well as many species of eel. You may even see whale sharks, humpback whales, pilot whales, orcas and schools containing hundreds of Mobulas.

When to scuba dive in Costa Rica:

Although the warm water allows diving all year, during the rainy season, from May to November, the rain brings more nutrients to the water, allowing plankton to thrive, forming the basis of an extensive food chain that encourages a whole range of creatures to visit the area. Beware of hurricanes along the Caribbean coast. Manta rays are most commonly seen at the Catalina Islands between December and April.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in Costa Rica:

• Off the Playas del Coco, a sheltered and relatively shallow beach, the Play Pen is a good spot for some easy exploration.

• On Cano Island, El Bajo del Diablo, the Devil's Playground, is a good spot for viewing a wide variety of animals from colorful reef fish to rays, sharks, sea turtles, and more.

• La Cueva del Tiburon (Shark Cave) is home to white tip reef sharks. The cave is too small to enter, but you can see inside. The dive is about 50 feet and, in addition to the sharks, you'll see lots of varieties of reef fish and perhaps pilot whales and even sailfish.

• Nearer Corcovado National Park, El Campanario is renowned for its beautiful hard and soft corals, many fish species, and exciting tunnels. You may find lobsters in the rocks and everything from roosterfish to snappers nearby.

The best spots to snorkel in Costa Rica:

• In Cabuya, the reef on the extreme tip of the island is one of the best spots for snorkeling in the area. You can often see colorful fishes.
• The National Park of Cahuita's reef includes more than 240 habitats, 123 different species of fishes, 44 species of crustaceous, 140 shellfish and 128 various algae identified. You also observe 35 different coral species such as the fire coral, and the red and black coral.

Fun scuba Facts:

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC)
• Population: is about 4,600,000 (2011)
• Time Zone: (GMT-6)
• Main languages spoken: Spanish, Mekatelyu, Bribri ## Diveable overseas territories:

Costa Rican diving federations:

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):