Costa Rica
Cahuita Hotel 996
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in Costa Rica Costa Rica has a wide range of great options for scuba diving and snorkeling. Casual underwater tourists can try their luck from the beach in Manuel Antonio on the Pacific or Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean shores. Many beach hotels rent snorkeling gear and know all the local spots to explore submerged rocks and reefs.
Among the best beaches for snorkeling is Playa Chiquita, located just three miles south of Puerto Viejo, which has a small reef on its north side. With a larger reef and longer beach, Punta Uva is a pleasant alternative also providing terrific swimming possibilities. Manzanillo, the last town south of Puerto Viejo, has the biggest reef and is also better equipped for those interested in snorkeling. From this area, you can rent professional equipment and venture on your own, or you can find a personal guide to bring you to specific locations; or perhaps, take part in the special "Dolphins Watch Tour" which is a real treat!!! Hiking to Monkey Point is a another attraction, where you will find another good spot for snorkeling.
Cahuita and Punta Cocles beaches are the main attraction for international surfers, more often between the months of September and December, and then again during the months of April, June and July. Salsa Brava swell is world famous for its reefy, side shore power wave preferred only by the high core professional surfers. There are other beaches that are ideal for surfing, like Cahuita's Black Beach, in addition to several points along the 10 kilometer coastline which stretches south of the sleepy town of Manzanillo. Punta Uva and Playa Chiquita have ridable but dangerous reef breaks, although at times some of this waves are ideal for beginners. Several of these beaches host numerous International surf competitions held throughout the year.
The Indian reserve in Bribri or the Kekoldi Indian
The Indian reserve in Bribri or the Kekoldi Indian Reservation are the home of highly organized indigenous groups like the Bribri, Kekoldi and the Cabecar Indians. As you visit places like the Parque de la Amistad in Alta Talamanca you will encounter a hidden ancient world of strong spirits that fight hard to hold on to traditions and costumes practiced by their ancestors over 1000 years ago. Many generations were able to survive in the deep, dense Caribbean jungle, several tribes possessing countless medicinal secrets; their bush doctors, or Shamans as they are called, are highly sought after internationally for their successful cure of cancer.
On the balmy east coast of Costa Rica, Cahuita offers the best beach dives, and with a small boat you can reach the giant barriers reefs of Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park for scuba diving in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Expect visibility up to 150 feet here, and the warm water off the Caribbean side is nearly always over 80 degrees.