Costa Rica

Upcoming Trips

costa rica map

Costa Rica is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, including lush rainforests, volcanoes and beautiful beaches. It is home to an incredibly diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, toucans and jaguars.

Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination, known for its eco-tourism opportunities and adventure activities such as zip-lining, surfing and white-water rafting. The country is also known for its commitment to conservation and sustainability, with around 25% of its land protected as national parks and reserves.

What To Expect

Scuba Diving

Costa Rica is a popular scuba diving destination with a diverse range of marine life and ecosystems to explore. The country is located in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, offering different types of dives depending on which coast you visit.

The Pacific side is known for its large schools of fish, sharks and rays, as well as its impressive rock formations and coral reefs. The Caribbean side, on the other hand, is home to a variety of colorful coral and sponge species, as well as sea turtles and dolphins.

You might see:

  • White tip reef sharks
  • Parrotfish
  • Snappers
  • Butterflyfish
  • Manta rays
  • Humpback whales
  • Dolphins
  • Sea turtles

Recommended Specialty Courses

  • Nitrox
  • Night & limited visibility
  • Perfect buoyancy
  • Fish identification
Hawksbill Sea Turtle Cozumel

Conservation Efforts

Costa Rica is home to the world-famous Cocos Island. This is a bucket list dive destination for many because of the schooling hammerheads and other large pelagic species that can be found here. Cocos Island National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. The underwater world is the main attraction and is also protected because it is home to a variety of species, many of which are endangered or threatened. Read more about Cocos Island here.

Rocket Frog Divers

Rocket Frog Divers ensures that you are getting the best possible service by having a member of their senior staff dive on the boat with you every day. They also have unique dive boats that allow for a variety of diving. From getting to far away dive sites quickly, to having a large sundeck for divers to relax on, their dive boats offer it all!

costa rica

Occidental Papagayo

The Occidental Papagayo Hotel is a fantastic adults-only experience in the Gulf of Papagayo: the wildest nature is in harmony with the most luxurious facilities and services on the stunning west coast of Costa Rica. The Gulf of Papagayo is known as the jewel of the Pacific, and the resort has blended in perfectly with its lush, natural surroundings.

costa rica

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs

At Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs every guest room has a breathtaking view of the Arenal Volcano. The La Fortuna / Arenal area is equally a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts seeking adrenaline-filled activities as it is for people looking to completely relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility that only nature can provide. 

This unique volcanic region is well known for its healing hot springs and Arenal Manoa is the perfect place to soak up the wellness benefits in our own mineral-rich hot springs. Vacation is also the time to treat your mind, body, and soul to a relaxing day at our spa.

arenal manoa resort

Undersea Hunter Liveaboard

Cocos Island delivers some of the most spectacular diving on the planet. Here, pristine waters take you directly to the largest hammerhead schools in the world. Undersea Hunter welcomes you to the realm of large pelagic fish, where the ocean explodes with life. Inhabitants include 12 shark species, several kinds of rays and sea turtles and clouds of jacks large enough to block out the sun.

costa rica

Culture

The phrase “Pura Vida” which means pure life, is a defining motto of Costa Rican culture. It’s used to express a positive and optimistic outlook on life. Costa Rican’s are laid-back, friendly happy people with their official language being Spanish. The country is extremely biodiverse with beaches, dense jungles and abundant waters all full of exotic wildlife. There are numerous national parks, wildlife refuges, biological reserves, climatic zones, volcanoes and waterfalls. Costa Rica truly has something for everyone.   

Montverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a protected area that is one of the most popular and well-known cloud forest reserves in the world. It is home to an incredible array of plant and animal species. The reserve is known for its dense mist and cloud cover, which provides a unique ecosystem for a variety of plant and animal species. Visitors to the reserve can explore a variety of trails and hiking paths that wind through the forest, offering stunning views of the lush greenery and incredible wildlife. 

San Gervasio

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured, sick and orphaned Costa Rican wildlife. The sanctuary is home to a variety of animal species, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, macaws and several species of reptiles and amphibians. Visitors can take guided tours of the facility and learn about the work being done to rehabilitate and release these animals back into the wild. 

San Gervasio

Surfing

Costa Rica is known for its incredible surfing opportunities, with a variety of beaches and breaks. The country’s unique geography, warm waters and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for both beginners and experienced surfers. There are numerous beaches and areas for surfers, with one popular one being Playa Grande. Playa Grande has great waves and is also home to one of the largest nesting sites for leatherback turtles in the world. 

What prior travelers say

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“I highly recommend a trip with Diventures. Customer service is excellent and the trip I experienced was very well planned.”

Traveler Photos

Know Before You Go

Dive Insurance

Dive insurance is required on all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN dive insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended for all Diventures trips. We recommend purchasing DAN trip insurance.

Electricity

Same as the US.

Passport

Must be valid 6 months beyond the dates of your trip. 

Dress Code

Casual. 

Money

The Costa Rican Colon (CRC), USD and credit cards are widely accepted.

Temperature

The average temperature is 80°-90°F on the coasts and 75°-80°F in the countryside.  

Language

Spanish is the official language.

Need help packing?

We can’t pack for you, but we can share our packing list and travel tips.