As compared to other diving destinations where you can be disturbed by other watersports activity or may proceed to nearby places if you wish to extend your vacation, Cocos island is a stand-alone diving paradise that is loaded with over 10 amazing dive spots. The good thing when you explore the underwater habitats of this offshore Costa Rican Island is that you can experience the best of all the world’s dive sites placed in just one area in the Pacific Ocean.

Top Shark Dive Sites around Cocos Island

If there is one thing that stands out about the diving experience in Cocos island, then shark interaction would be the word that perfectly describes this amazing site. Here are the top dive sites in Cocos island where the level of guarantee for a shark interaction is similar to the presence of oxygen from the air that we breath.

Wall of Hammerhead Sharks in Bajo Alcyone

Located on the eastern side of Cocos Island, this offshore seamount is the perfect place to observe the passing-by of hammerhead sharks. As described by divers who have already explored Bajo Alcyone, the passing-by of hammerhead sharks represents like a wall of living things. Yes, a wall of sharks.

While diving with hundreds of hammerhead sharks is already considered an extreme experience, your adventures in Bajo Alcyone will be more extreme as you will be doing a combination of drift and deep diving. What’s best with Bajo Alcyone is that you can interact with other big marine creatures like jacks, rays and sea turtles all thriving in a healthy reef system.
For more information, you can read our related about Bajo Alcyone.

An Underwater Barbershop for Sharks in Dirty Rock

Dirty Rock is one of the sites in Cocos island that has a cleaning station where sharks drop-by for a quick clean. Located at 20 meters (60 feet) deep off the western reefs of Cocos island, you will see hammerhead sharks coming in close to the reef where they are greeted by cleanerfish who cleanses the shark from dead skin and parasite infestation in exchange for a free meal. But as divers share their experience, they told us that you don’t need to go deep just to see sharks. They said your shark interaction may start once you plunge in the water and start your descent to the reef where you usually hold the anchor line in going down due to strong current.
For more information, you can read our related about Dirty Rock.

Diving with Silvertip Sharks in Silverado

The northeastern reefs of Cocos island, where Silverado is located, is a refuge for one of the big boys of the deep that are highly territorial – the Silvertip Sharks. As compared to other dive sites in Cocos Island, diving in Silverado doesn’t take you to go deep diving as the reef is relatively shallow with maximum depths at 20 meters (60 feet) and strong water current is virtually non-existent in this area.

Your underwater adventures in Silverado will usually start by descending down to the reef ledge and wait for the big boys to come in. But as Silvertip sharks slowly comes in to the picture, your feeling would suddenly change from relax to highly excited, or highly feared, or a combination of both.

Famous Dives in Cocos Island

There are some underwater experiences that you can try which has become an unforgettable moment earning it a spot on the list of Famous Dives in Cocos island. Here are some famous dives in Cocos Island that may not require a permanent address or location.

Baitball

This is the only dive in Cocos island where the site is dependent on where the massive school of baitfish arrives. While traversing its migration course in the Pacific Ocean, baitfish will start to converge in to huge pact where predators are on the fast hunt for a feast. Considered as a defense mechanism to pass on their genes for the next generation of baitfish to survive, you will see them underwater in a circular formation making it hard for predators to spot a single fish for their meal. But as predators close in making the circular formation more compact, big fish starts to swim towards the center signaling the start of this shallow-water feast. Divers who have already experienced the baitball said that predators may come from every direction including from the top as sea birds, like the brown booby, also joins in. This dive will only take a few minutes where you can see the difference between a tightly pack baitfish at the start of your dive and a thinly populated school towards the end of this amazing experience.
For more information, you can read our related about Baitball.

Night Diving with Whitetip Reef Sharks in Manuelita

While Cocos island is known for diving with sharks, night diving with them would be more interesting. Yes, there is a famous dive in Cocos island where you can explore the northern reefs, called Manuelita, during night time and be with active whitetip reef sharks. Although these sharks are relatively calm and relaxed during the day, they turn highly excited when the sun sets down where they start to hunt for food. Once underwater, you will notice that whitetip reef sharks become more active when they are illuminated by the beam of your underwater torch or flashlight.

Deep-sea Submersible Diving

Another famous dive takes to you one of the greatest depths in Cocos island without getting wet. You and your buddy will start this deep-sea journey by boarding a deep-sea submersible and will be towed to a site known as the Everest. Once on top of the target site, you will start to perform a direct descent wherein you will be amazed by the silhouette of hammerhead sharks and school of jacks with a backdraft of the surface. The lightning of the submersible’s strobes signals your arrival on the eternal darkness of the abyssal zone where you need to be alert for oddly-looking creatures like the jellynose fish and prickly sharks.

For more information, you can read our related about Deep-sea Submersible Diving.

More Info about Cocos Island: http://www.scuba.cr/cocos-island/

Another article about Cocos Island: http://www.costaricajourneys.com/cocos-island/

Costa Rica Liveaboards: http://www.visitcocosisland.com/live-aboard-dive-boats/ – There are no hotels on Cocos Island! If you want to visit, the only way is to book a liveaboard with one of just a handful of companies.

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Whether you are looking for an angling adventure with your loved ones, or thinking to embark on a solo venture to try your hand at fishing, get on a Gamefisher II’s marvelous charter boat and begin the fishing adventure of a lifetime.

Boat and Crew

The sport fishing company has a 3’1 custom-built boat called Gamefisher II. The boat is insured and licensed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. The boat is rigged with high-quality equipment and features fighting chair, global positioning system, depth sounder, VHS radio, first aid kit, raft, life jackets for adults and children, fire extinguisher and anchors. Powered by twin Volvo turbocharged diesel engines and designed with comfort in mind, Gamefisher II offers a swift and smooth ride. The boat has a capacity for up to 4 anglers. Besides arranging fishing expeditions on the boat, the company organizes other fun-filled trips as well.

The crew of Gamefisher II Charters is cordial, professional and bilingual with more than three decades of experience. Led by Captain Richard Chellemi along with an alternate Captain and First Mate, Junior Bustos Abarca, the team of Gamefisher II ensures that travelers have an amazing and unforgettable fishing experience. They specialize in a variety of fishing techniques, have profound knowledge of the area and are diligent in their teaching. Be it a novice or an expert, a productive and enjoyable time is guaranteed with Gamefisher II Charters.

Fishing Locations

Depending upon the season, wind directions and condition of the ocean, Gamefisher II Charters operates out of Potrero and Carrillo Bay. From May to December, fishing trips are carried out in Potrero while from January to April they are conducted in Carrillo Bay.

Adventure Travel

Although they mainly pursue sport fishing, Gamefisher II organizes a number of other adventures as well. Some of them are shortly described below:

Surfing Lessons

Both group and private surf classes are available. They are conducted around Tamarindo which is well-known for its superb surf spots.

Day Spa

Indulge in relaxing spa services in a mountainous ambiance with ocean views. Enjoy gourmet meals, refreshing herbal tea and get revitalizing massages.

Snorkeling

Snorkel to meet the quaint underwater creatures. Snorkel equipment is available for rent.

Other adventures include jet skiing, ATV rides, horseback riding, canopy tours, cruises, kayaking and river tours.

Costa Rica is flourishing with a plethora of marine wildlife and is known to provide some of the best sports fishing experiences in the world. Fishing enthusiasts from all walks of life can satisfy their addiction at Gamefisher II Charters.

Contact Gamefisher II Charters

Location: Puerto Potrero, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.gamefisher2.com/
Phone Number: +506 2654-4150 or +506 8403 1427
Email: info@gamefisher2.com

Gamefisher II Charters in Flamingo

For more information on Gamefisher II Charters:

Read Gamefisher II Charters’s reviews on TripAdvisor.
Visit Gamefisher II Charters’s Facebook Page to know more about the company.
Check out Gamefisher II Charters’s website.

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Travelers will be pleased to know that the ocean is just a stone’s throw away. While the lodge is surrounded by tropical flora, a cluster of white sand beaches, wildlife preserve and waterfalls are nearby. Luz en el Cielo encourages their guests to enjoy their holiday to the fullest. If you are on a quest to experience an ultimate tropical adventure, you are in luck. There are great surf spots, a national park to explore and hiking trails to the waterfalls.

The hostel has a cordial staff that will ensure you are having an amazing time. The accommodations are comfortable, neat and tidy. Whether you are traveling with your loved ones or by yourself, Luz en el Cielo is an ideal sanctuary for a tropical vacation in Costa Rica.

Rooms

For lodging, Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel offers standard and luxury dorm rooms and private cabinas. Amenities offered by the hostel are complimentary breakfast, access to free wireless internet, lockers, a fully stocked communal kitchen area, 24 hour security, private parking space, tour booking and ceiling fans in all the rooms.

A short description of each type of room is given below:

Standard Dorm Rooms

Standard Dorm Rooms are three in number with a sleeping capacity of 14 people at a time. Two of the rooms are appointed with 6 beds while one of them has just 4 beds. The standard dorm rooms are budget-oriented and great for backpackers.

Luxury Dorm Room Cabina

Sitting separately from the hostel, the luxury dorm cabina is ideal if you are looking for a budget-friendly yet luxurious retreat. It can sleep up to 6 people and boasts a lovely decor, private terrace, ensuite bathroom with toiletries and personal luxuries.

Private Jungle Cabinas

There are two private jungles cabinas sitting high among the lush foliage. One of the cabinas affords views of the ocean while the other one offers vistas of treetops. They are perfect for families who want to spend some quality time together in a tranquil ambiance.

Private Rustic Cabinas

The charming cabin was recently renovated and is sitting a short distance away from the main property. It features a private terrace, private bathroom and outdoor showers and sliding glass doors and windows. The bedrooms are appointed with plush beds, and bed arrangement depends upon guest’s preferences.

For rates and reservations, please visit their website.

Contact Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel

Location: Montezuma, Province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.luzenelcielo.com/
Phone Number: 00 506 2642 0030
Email: luzenelcielocr@gmail.com

Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel in Montezuma

For more information on Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel:

Read Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel’s reviews on TripAdvisor.
Visit Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel’s Facebook Page to know more about the place.
Check out Luz en el Cielo Eco-Hostel’s review on www.costaricajourneys.com.

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A new trend into vacationing nowadays is the consideration of the travelers’ health and well-being. More and more people are getting health-conscious and alternating their lifestyle such as daily work habits and daily diet. Extending these positive changes in lifestyle, more people have also changed the way of their vacationing.

Health-conscious people have slowly started changing their vacations from shopping sprees and lounging around the beach to a healthier option such as spas and fitness retreats. Tourism-driven countries such as Costa Rica have noticed this trend and offer this new alternative to its visitors. Vacations at Costa Rica are known for giving their tourist their much-needed relaxation and rest. Aside from the water sports and beautiful beaches, Costa Rica provides sanctuary and peace through the form of Wellness centers.

One of the nature retreats popular in Costa Rica is called Anamaya Resort. These retreats offer tourist the option to learn and perfect the art of Yoga and not simply just to indulge in the culture and beauty of the country. A Yoga retreat is a program designed to teach yoga and imbibe its principles to the participant. The programs also teach the participant to immerse himself to nature and re-learning to appreciate its beauty. Each program is conducted by a professional yoga teacher.

Yoga refers to the physical, mental and spiritual healing disciplines. It has aimed to improve health through the strengthening of the man’s physical and mental attributes. Various benefits have been recognized including improvement of posture, increasing of immunity and decrease of anxiety and depression. For some, it is also practiced for spiritual healing and personal journeys or self-discovery. Spiritual healing can be achieved since Yoga is related to Hinduism and Buddhism. Yoga is also considered as a meditation practice which is a key to one’s personal journey and self-discovery. Hatha, Karma, Dream and Iyengar Yoga are some of the different types of Yoga.

Each Wellness center is located in the beautiful and secluded terrains of Costa Rica. It is perfect since Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity helps in connecting each participant to nature. Also, the stress and pollution of the city life is left behind so the participant can fully enjoy nature’s comforts.

Centers and Styles

Different yoga styles are taught by the numerous Wellness centres in Costa Rica. The Hatha yoga (which is gentle) is available in AmaTierra Retreat which is located in San Pablo de Turrubares, Costa Rica. It is a quiet and serene centre nestled in the mountains. Vinyasa Flow is offered in the Wellness centre named Shodhana, which means cleanlines. It is located in Sabana Norte.

Many yoga centers like the Nosara Yoga Institute, are located near the Pacific coast near to great surfing. Travelers can enjoy the beach along with their spiritual and physical journey with various professional yoga educations that can help in the improvement of a person’s well-being.

Costa Rica is not only a host to the typical vacation activities that can be done on its magnificent mountains and beaches. The country’s tourism also offers a personal and deep-level journey into self-improvement via its wellness centers.

More Information

More Info on Anamaya Resort, Click Here.
More Info on Costa Rica Yoga Retreats, Click Here.

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Costa Rica Scuba Diving is a popular recreation activity in the land of the “Rich Coast”. Costa Rica is known for its tropical jungles, picturesque beaches and rich biodiversity. The country is also known for their different dive sites. A wide range of marine life can be explored and experienced in each different dive site. Costa Rica has the Cocos Islands, The Bat and Catalina Islands and Bajo del Diablo, all offering to experience the wonders of the naval worlds.

The Cocos Islands is already well-known and is actually considered as one of the top ten best dive sites in the world. It is an unpopulated island off the coast of Costa Rica. It is located in the Pacific Ocean. Its National Park is acknowledged as a World Heritage Site back in 1997. Apart from that, the Cocos Islands were considered to be part of the new Seven Wonders of the World last 2009. It is home to moist tropic forests and reptiles such as the anole and the gecko.

What’s special about the Cocos Islands in the realm of scuba diving is the marine life it houses. The island is home to the different turtles, humpback whale, dolphins, and giant mantas. What’s even more interesting is the presence of the hammerhead sharks. Scuba Diving in the Cocos Island is almost equivalent to swimming with the sharks.

For the more experienced and professional scuba divers, the challenging underwater terrain of the Bat and Catalina Islands will suit you. It is located northwest from the coast of Nicoya Peninsula. Its terrain has more corals and underwater landscapes than any other local sites. The currents of the ocean is also strong which would entail more strength and focus while scuba diving. But the beauty and wonderment to be enjoyed in the islands’ deep waters will very much pay off for all the hard work and effort. Scuba diving in the months from December to May is ideal when in the Catalina Islands. For the Bat Islands, ideal is from March to November.

What’s Down There?

Huge schools of fish, eagle mantras, turtles and different coral formations are only some of the marine life you can observe while in the Bat and Catalina islands. The islands are less explored than the other diving sites in Costa Rica so there are many more amazing species and scenic views to discover.

Another top diving site in Costa Rica can be found in Bahia Drake (or Drake Bay). It is the little bay on the north of Osa Peninsula which houses the well-known Corcovado National Park. In Drake Bay, scuba diving in the site named Bajo del Diablo is considered to be a must-do activity upon visiting. Its large underwater valleys and various rock formations make the underwater landscapes breathtaking. Aside from these sights, it is the home of large schools of devil rays upon which the diving site is named after.

Numerous dive sites in Costa Rica are scattered in different areas. Punta Uva and Punta Cocles dive sites are on the Carribean Side. On the pacific side, great dive sites are available, such as:

Cano Island
Catalina Islands
Cocos Island – One of the best in the world
Murcielagos
Playas del Coco
Tortuga Island

Further Scuba Info

Scuba Diving Wiki – Wikipedia about scuba
Scuba Diving Magazine – Most popular scuba mag
PADI – Dive licensing etc
About Scuba – Lots of general info

The post Scuba Diving in Costa Rica’s Warm Waters appeared first on Costa Rica Surfing, Surf Camps and Beaches.

After a few decades since Hawaiians brought surfing to the world, this extreme water sport has become a worldwide phenomenon, and Costa Rica is as dedicated to the sport as any other nation. Many surfers travel to Costa Rica to experience and catch its famous waves, or to search out little-known spots hidden among the many remote coves.

Nowadays, professional surfers and enthusiasts have flocked to Costa Rica, whose name means “rich coast.” The country is located in Central America with Nicaragua in the north and Panama in the south. What makes Costa Rica a surfer’s haven? Two large bodies of water surround it to the east and west—the Carribean Sea and Pacific Ocean, respectively.

Aside from having the Pacific Ocean and Carribean Sea as their background, Costa Rica is a good place to surf since its coasts offers regular and consistent waves, especially on the Pacific side. The different beaches and underwater terrains surrounding Costa Rica create a variety of different breaks. One can often find different types of waves on any particular beach. Beginners will have a good chance to learn the different techniques in riding these different kinds of waves—from easy to difficult ones, since there are so many surf camps in the country. Costa Rica also makes a great training ground, and is a favorite stop in the surf circuit for the professionals.

One of the top surf spots in Costa Rica is the little village called Mal Pais. It is located in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rice and is at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It has been recently recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the most top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. Before Mal Pais village got its tourist spot reputation, it was a remote fishing and cattle-farming village. Nowadays, the people are trying their best to preserve the beauty of its nature. Even though hotels and other tourist-friendly businesses have opened up, Malpais pristine beauty can still be seen in their mountain ranges and scenic beaches.

Playa Carmen, one of the main surf beaches in Costa Rica, borders another top tourist town called Santa Teresa. The town has white sand, jungle-covered hills, and surfable waves 24/7. With the recent popularity as a tourist destination, locals have thrived with hotels, restaurants, etc. Aside from Playa Carmen, beaches such as Manzanillo and Playa Hermosa can be found in Santa Teresa.

Both Mal Pais and Santa Teresa villages are located along the Pacific Ocean coast, on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca—or simply known as Puerto Viejo—fronts the Carribean Sea on the other side of the country. This coastal town’s surf scene is best known for a very powerful wave called Salsa Brava. Salsa Brava gives surfers an estimated 100-200 meter ride, and is definitely not for amateurs.

There are many more beaches, bays and peninsulas in Costa Rica where surfers can enjoy consistent waves. Competitions and surf camps are thriving in the country. Summer time in Costa Rica, which is in the months of December to April, is the best time for surfing.

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