Snorkeling in Costa Rica

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RayRay

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Will be spending a month in Costa Rica, near Dominical, in February. Anyone have any experience snorkeling there? Recommendations/suggestions? I'm fairly new to snorkeling, having only done it in Lake Michigan (such a midwesterner!), but have fallen in love with it. Would prefer accessing snorkeling destinations directly from shore.

Thanks!

RayRay
 
Take your surfboard and not your snorkel gear. You will have some good right and left hand break but no reef to explore.
The pacific side of Costa Rico will not be your best bet for snorkeling. You will find some up the coast around some of the small island dots in the Gulf of Nicoya. We did a half day Snorkel / canopy zip line trip which was a 45 minute boat ride from Puntarenas. You can also book a trip to Canos Island off the coast of Drake's Bay.
Both of these options mean quite a bit of traveling and I don't think the Snorkeling is worth it. There is SO MUCH other beauty in that Country to see while you are there.
If you decide to rent a car and drive up the coast to Jaco or Puntarenas remember to buy some porn mags and leave them in plain site on the back seat of the car. They trade well at the frequent roadside "pay your fine right here with the local policia" stops.That big white sticker that is in the center of all the rental car windshields can be seen from miles away with binoculars on hilltops by the local cops on the take. It has been a while since I was there so I hope things have changed in that regard.
Trips to the Caribbean side might be what you are looking for but I can not give you any help there. In my demented little mind Costa Rico = waves, fishing, Jungle, and internet poker.
 
That was wierd.... Spell check made Costa Rica into Costa Rico and the edit button is gone from the board
 
surfs up. Can't really help to advise on good snorkling location. I was there in 2002 and traveled most of the Pacific side. Went to Witches Rock in Santa Ana national park, seems like a great place for snorkle, it was for surfing. Only problem there is that you will need a 4X4 to get there. Secondly, salties. There are a lot of salties in that area. Need to watch out for those.
 
There are saltwater crocodiles, so be careful. I'm not sure which side they are on (possibly both) I recently watched a special on them regarding Costa Rica. Sharks don't scare me, but saltwater crocodiles are truly man eaters.

Be safe, and ask the locals about the crocs.
 

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