Missdirected
Contributor
I often compare notes with people who have been around. Meaning that they have been to several dive destinations, more than once, so they have a rough idea of what to expect. Comparitively, Costa Rica still rates numero uno, for me.
Depending on how much adventure you are looking for CR offers a lot. You can do your diving in the Northern part, which is where the best diving is. Afterward, you two can take a short flight with Sansa or Nature Air to, San Jose. The flights to and from Liberia (which is the International Airport in the Northern half) to San Jose are about $80. Flying is much easier, and cheaper than renting a car. The streets/highways are not easy to follow. I suggest not beating yourself up and fly, much more enjoyable.
From San Jose you can book with RiosTropicales (www.riostropicales.com) and white water raft the Pacuari River. The river trip is beautiful and exciting. Depending on your experience you will be placed anywhere from class 2/3's to class 4/5’s (I think that is the highest).
While in San Jose, use Suisse Travel to send you on a tour of Monteverde Volcano/rainforest. Read about the forest here: http://www.monteverde.org/ Should you do both of those trips (whitewater and volcano), you will be two nights in San Jose. There are other volcanoes you can check out in Costa Rica, Monteverde happens to be the most spectacular. Note, these are full day trips. I love the white water rafting. You can buy your pics at the end, I'm not usually one to buy the touristy stuff but this is well worth the $12. You will get to preview dvd with your group while you are having lunch. So you can then decide for yourself. BTW, the lunch they provide is delicious
I have never done Monteverde, only heard wonderful things about it, it is just not my cup of tea, and I had my fill in Yellowstone. The reason I suggest it, is because if you are into hiking and nature, this is a must do.
Another thing to try when while in San Jose and using it as your base, are the canopy tours. I went during the dry season. Typically there are about 15 runs. I found most people are "done" after about the fourth. During the dry season this isn't quite as beautiful as when everything is a lush green but still fun. Most places offer 9 or 15 runs, I suggest the former. Be prepared for a major adrenaline rush on the first canopy :winky:
As for lodging in CR; I recommend staying in Playa Hermosa. I stay at the Villa del Sueno, which is a ten-minute walk from the dive shop http://www.villadelsueno.com/rates.htm. If you choose the Sueno, be sure to phone them and check about any rate reductions. I personally, love it there. They have a full restaurant and often times a band. If you are too worn out from diving, you can just throw on a pair of flip-flops, walk down and have dinner, then meander over to the bar area to relax by the pool.
Now to talk diving. Diving Safaris is the best op in town IMO. Run by two Americans, Earl and Bobby Jo. They are wonderful. They moved there several years ago to raise their children. They can be reached here: info@costaricadiving.net .
Things to see underwater: bull shark, white tip reef shark, manta rays, clown shrimp, a million different kinds of eels, bat rays, turtle’s, southern sting rays, spotted eagle rays, humpback whales, loads and loads of brilliantly colored fish, and the list goes on.
As for the Catalina Islands; I highly recommend them. However, if you don't make it out and do the other spots closer in you haven't really lost out. You are going to see so much on the other dives. Furthermore, I personally have several dives under my belt and IMO the Catalina's are, on the whole, an advanced dive. Some will choose to go though they are not really advanced, if you do so, please, please, stay close to your DM. Yes, of course it has its days where it is a bit more mild but on the whole... it is advanced. I'll say this, my lil sis has about 30-40 dives and I would not take her out there. Again, she would not be missing that much, so I don't see the need. That said, I loved the Catalina's. Viz isn't always great near the upwellings, which happens to be where the Manta's cross (best spot for food) but it is definitely a brilliant place. Spotted loads of White Tip Reef Sharks there.
A few final notes, if you go, you may want to try the four-runners right there in Play Hermosa, which take you on a tour through the forest, pretty cool. Oh and fishing! I took my son one year and he caught a sailfish. Fantastic experience. Mau (who is also a DM at Diving Safari’s) and Lisa are the ones to contact about fishing. Check with Diving Safari’s to get their info, if you are in fact interested in the fishing, perhaps on your last day. For dining after diving – you must go to Pescado Locale, a three minute walk from Safari’s. Comfy homey place. Two “mom’s” doing the cooking. Absolutely delicious. You will find, if they are not busy, they hang out in the dining room. Tamarindo offers some easy surfing spots and isn't too far of a hike.
Hope that helps,
-MissD
Please note, I write this only as a courtesy to my fellow SB’ers. I have been to CR several times and just want to help others with their planning. Perhaps take some of the stress/work of planning away. Keep some from making some of the mistakes I did at first :winky:
Warning; As with most any destination, dive conditions are not always favorable. Check with your dive-op when booking to find out the best times of the year.
Depending on how much adventure you are looking for CR offers a lot. You can do your diving in the Northern part, which is where the best diving is. Afterward, you two can take a short flight with Sansa or Nature Air to, San Jose. The flights to and from Liberia (which is the International Airport in the Northern half) to San Jose are about $80. Flying is much easier, and cheaper than renting a car. The streets/highways are not easy to follow. I suggest not beating yourself up and fly, much more enjoyable.
From San Jose you can book with RiosTropicales (www.riostropicales.com) and white water raft the Pacuari River. The river trip is beautiful and exciting. Depending on your experience you will be placed anywhere from class 2/3's to class 4/5’s (I think that is the highest).
While in San Jose, use Suisse Travel to send you on a tour of Monteverde Volcano/rainforest. Read about the forest here: http://www.monteverde.org/ Should you do both of those trips (whitewater and volcano), you will be two nights in San Jose. There are other volcanoes you can check out in Costa Rica, Monteverde happens to be the most spectacular. Note, these are full day trips. I love the white water rafting. You can buy your pics at the end, I'm not usually one to buy the touristy stuff but this is well worth the $12. You will get to preview dvd with your group while you are having lunch. So you can then decide for yourself. BTW, the lunch they provide is delicious
I have never done Monteverde, only heard wonderful things about it, it is just not my cup of tea, and I had my fill in Yellowstone. The reason I suggest it, is because if you are into hiking and nature, this is a must do.Another thing to try when while in San Jose and using it as your base, are the canopy tours. I went during the dry season. Typically there are about 15 runs. I found most people are "done" after about the fourth. During the dry season this isn't quite as beautiful as when everything is a lush green but still fun. Most places offer 9 or 15 runs, I suggest the former. Be prepared for a major adrenaline rush on the first canopy :winky:
As for lodging in CR; I recommend staying in Playa Hermosa. I stay at the Villa del Sueno, which is a ten-minute walk from the dive shop http://www.villadelsueno.com/rates.htm. If you choose the Sueno, be sure to phone them and check about any rate reductions. I personally, love it there. They have a full restaurant and often times a band. If you are too worn out from diving, you can just throw on a pair of flip-flops, walk down and have dinner, then meander over to the bar area to relax by the pool.
Now to talk diving. Diving Safaris is the best op in town IMO. Run by two Americans, Earl and Bobby Jo. They are wonderful. They moved there several years ago to raise their children. They can be reached here: info@costaricadiving.net .
Things to see underwater: bull shark, white tip reef shark, manta rays, clown shrimp, a million different kinds of eels, bat rays, turtle’s, southern sting rays, spotted eagle rays, humpback whales, loads and loads of brilliantly colored fish, and the list goes on.
As for the Catalina Islands; I highly recommend them. However, if you don't make it out and do the other spots closer in you haven't really lost out. You are going to see so much on the other dives. Furthermore, I personally have several dives under my belt and IMO the Catalina's are, on the whole, an advanced dive. Some will choose to go though they are not really advanced, if you do so, please, please, stay close to your DM. Yes, of course it has its days where it is a bit more mild but on the whole... it is advanced. I'll say this, my lil sis has about 30-40 dives and I would not take her out there. Again, she would not be missing that much, so I don't see the need. That said, I loved the Catalina's. Viz isn't always great near the upwellings, which happens to be where the Manta's cross (best spot for food) but it is definitely a brilliant place. Spotted loads of White Tip Reef Sharks there.
A few final notes, if you go, you may want to try the four-runners right there in Play Hermosa, which take you on a tour through the forest, pretty cool. Oh and fishing! I took my son one year and he caught a sailfish. Fantastic experience. Mau (who is also a DM at Diving Safari’s) and Lisa are the ones to contact about fishing. Check with Diving Safari’s to get their info, if you are in fact interested in the fishing, perhaps on your last day. For dining after diving – you must go to Pescado Locale, a three minute walk from Safari’s. Comfy homey place. Two “mom’s” doing the cooking. Absolutely delicious. You will find, if they are not busy, they hang out in the dining room. Tamarindo offers some easy surfing spots and isn't too far of a hike.
Hope that helps,
-MissD
Please note, I write this only as a courtesy to my fellow SB’ers. I have been to CR several times and just want to help others with their planning. Perhaps take some of the stress/work of planning away. Keep some from making some of the mistakes I did at first :winky:
Warning; As with most any destination, dive conditions are not always favorable. Check with your dive-op when booking to find out the best times of the year.
