You can literally walk off Punta Cahuita and start snorkeling. However, many tourists often ask about the possibilities of snorkeling in some of the beaches in Costa Rica.Best beaches for snorkeling in costa rica. Guanacaste is one of the most beautiful provinces in Costa Rica, located in the northwest of the country. The spectacular display of biodiversity and natural wonder doesn’t stop on land in Costa Rica. The pristine waters surrounding the tiny island off the coast of Drake Bay has been rated one of the best spots to go diving in Costa Rica. Admire the ocean from above and below, with time to snorkel among sea turtles, dolphins, and manta rays in a … Most of the really good locations are off-shore and in relatively deep water with strong currents. Costa Rica snorkeling conditions. World-class scuba diving and snorkeling spots for all different levels can be found on both the Pacific and Caribbean coast. Discover the vibrant world below the underground mountains of Cano Island, look for sea turtles and colorful fish, take pictures of pan-tropical spotted dolphins and whales with their babies (Jul.-Nov.) in the Pacific Ocean, watch birds and groups of monkeys as you float through a mangrove forest. With that said, the Westin Playa Conchal is the best of your options with snorkeling at either end of Playa Conchal. The park was established in 1978 and has continued to be the only national park in Costa Rica to rely solely on donations. One of the best snorkeling tours in Flamingo, perfect for families and friends! The air temperatures are high year-round with 90F/32C maximum on the Pacific and 86F/30C maximum on the Caribbean coast. This is especially good for those travelers who prefer a little more adrenaline. Every year more than 2 million tourists come to Costa Rica to enjoy their vacations for this reason. There is 5.8 kilometers/ 3.6 miles of coastline to snorkel off in the Cahuita National Park. None. Uvita is like magical place. However, there are a few options of renting a boat or kayak to get there on your own. Costa Rica has a tropical climate with a dry season from December to April, and with a rainy one from May to November. Islas Murciélagos is located at the very tip of the Santa Rosa National Park off the coast of Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste. There are vibrant coral reefs, flourishing atolls, volcanic rock formations bursting with aquatic life, shark caves, and ship wrecks. Costa Rica has a lot of ocean front and as you’d expect some excellent diving. The island was actually the first spot that Christopher Columbus landed in 1502. This is mainly because the best snorkeling sites in Costa Rica are accessible only by boat or kayak. You can also visit the island directly from Montezuma. It is home to and spectacular variety of stunning marine flora and fauna and is famous for having Costa Rica’s largest concentration of coral-building organisms along the Pacific … Here is a list of the best places and some, which although popular, may not be the best option available. The beaches and coasts are not the best place for Snorkeling in Costa Rica. The adventure begins with the boat trip. There are 35 different types of coral, over a 120 types of tropical fish, a staggering 120 types of mollusks, and 40 species of crustaceans. Any advice… SCUBA Diving. Its Tropical dry forest is a perfect complement for its white sand beaches. Pilot whales, sharks, turtles, and dolphins are also commonly spotted around this island chain. For us, one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica for snorkeling and diving is Caño Island, located at 40km from Uvita. However, in Costa Rica is not that simple. Day 316 - We're going snorkeling for the first time here in Cahuita, Costa Rica! The Catalina Islands are located about 10 km from Flamingo Beach, in Guanacaste. Snorkeling is a can’t miss activity during your Costa Rica vacation. This is because, like Guanacaste the islands offer the best opportunity to visualize marine life during a snorkeling tour. Costa Rica’s ocean territory is actually larger than its terrestrial territory and equally as awe-inspiring. Just off the coast of the island, dolphin, humpback whale, pilot whale, and manta ray sightings are common. Caño Island is an amazing marine biological reserve located at 53 km from the shore with virgin blue waters making it the perfect tropical paradise for snorkelers and divers. The National Park protect the largest reefs in Central America. For your best snorkeling in Costa Rica, some great snorkeling spots are introduced to you, separately located along the … Answer 1 of 3: Sorry I posted in a separate forum but can't seem to move it . The best way to get to Caño Island is by hiring a Tour from Uvita. Explore more of the Costa Rican coastline than you could alone on this all-inclusive sunset cruise, complete with open bar and complimentary lunch. But St John was badly damaged by the hurricanes. On the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, there are very few snorkeling locations, all located on a short twenty kilometers-long shore. It is Costa Rica’s most exquisite marine park and one of the top diving destinations in the world. The first reason is that the waves in Costa Rica are very good and very consistent. Costa Rica is well known for being an incredible destination with many beachfront resorts. The best snorkeling in Puntarenas is reduced to basically two points: Tortuga Islands and Caño Island. It’s more common to find whiles in the Central Pacific area, near to Costa Ballena. Many travelers looking for good snorkeling sites in Costa Rica prefer to stay on land and enjoy the beauty from the beach. In order to visit Tortuga Island you could hire a Tour from Puntarenas. This trip is cheaper because it is closer to the island, but it is ideal only when you are staying near the area. The experience of snorkeling in Isla Chora is better during low tide. It’s important to remember that Manuel Antonio, even that is a beautiful beach, is also part of the coast. Snorkeling tours allow you to peer beneath the water and observe these fascinating marine creatures. The consistency of the waves produces a lot of sedimentation that limits visibility on the coastline. However, we do not consider that Snorkeling in Playa Conchal is the best option. They are made up of a series of twenty small islands. This is due to the swell, precipitation and sediment carried by the rivers. Answer 1 of 3: Sorry I posted in a separate forum but can't seem to move it . The shallow coral reefs, little islands, and protected bays are ideal for snorkeling and host a colorful assortment of tropical fish and coral. Costa Rica Diving & Snorkeling Tours. Its waters are home of an astonishing diversity of marine life and the visibility is quite good throughout the year. Manuel Antonio National Park is perhaps the only place where you can snorkel in the area, specifically in a shallow area. Jacó is also a good starting point to explore the surrounding jungle. You don’t want to plan your vacations with the expectation of a great snorkeling experience, to discover that once in the water you cannot see more than a meter away. Other species that you can find while snorkeling in Manuel Antonio are wrasse fish, puffer fish, damsels, sergeants and other species. This reef is highly important for the marine ecosystem. Experienced divers come from all over the world in search of the exhilarating experience of diving alongside these massive sharks. For 40 minutes the traveler will be able to enjoy the beautiful view of the South Pacific coastline. The monkeys and sloths are right in your face but there is no longer a decent coral reef there. The only way to access the island and its phenomenal dive sites is via a live aboard boat excursion. Any preferences on snorkeling in Costa Rica? Vibrantly colored sea anemone bring great color to the reef and adorable sea horse sightings are common if you look carefully. Since Caño Island is away of the coast, it is not directly affected by the consistent waves and by the sedimentation of the rivers. Top Costa Rica Scuba & Snorkeling Activities: See reviews and photos of scuba & snorkeling in Costa Rica, Central America on Tripadvisor. “Los Morteros” are ideal especially for those who have not practiced snorkeling before, due to its shallow depth and visibility. Reaching it by car is easy from Playa Flamingo (10min/3km), Tamarindo (35min/20km) but also Liberia, Guacanaste Province’s capital city (45 minutes to 1 hour). We can help you plan a trip to Manzanillo and other parts of Costa Rica. This is because the distance of the bottom is shorter, and the visibility is much better. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, visited by millions of people every year to appreciate the biodiversity and relax on its incredible beaches. On this snorkeling site you will find a large number of colorful fishes and some corals. The swell of Playa Conchal can be quite strong, so it is always good to be cautious when entering the water. Best Beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Side. The shallow waters and the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean coast provide an excellent opportunity to … A unique natural phenomenon worth seeing. Weather Manzanillo, Costa Rica. Tamarindo is on the northwestern coast of Costa Rica where there are a some popular places to snorkel, like the beach in front of the Paradisus Conchal Hotel.I like to take a sailing boat for snorkeling and get out to the more private places, then return for a sunset snack and drink on the boat before returning to shore. They are known for their abundant marine life and are especially visited for diving. 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