Blue Whale in Costa Rica
October 30th, 2012
Costa Rica is known for its beauty and majestic waters which bring scuba divers to explore the “Rich Coast”. Costa Rica offers underwater exploration ranging from beautiful coral reefs to their own offshore islands. The different types of fish and other marine life that can be seen during a dive will bring divers back to revisit this beautiful destination. The waters off Costa Rica stay at an ideal temperature for divers. Costa Rica’s diving condition for visibility tends to range between 20-75 feet and the temperature of the water stays around 80 degrees year round. Dives are normally done from boats since most of the good dive sites lay between rock formations and islands. There are two choices when you go diving off Costa Rica which is the Caribbean or Pacific coast.
Diving on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica will give a diver a beautiful reef that has 35 varieties of coral. A diver will find examples of the giant elkhorn coral and have the opportunity for exploring two shipwrecks. The shipwrecks are easy to explore since they are not in very deep water. They are also home to over 500 different types of fish. Most of this reef is destroyed from human interference. There is a wildlife refuge called the Gandoca- Manzanillo that protects the southern area of the reef which remains more intact. There are many underwater caverns in this area to explore and many Caribbean fish. On the Caribbean side of Costa Rica divers will enjoy the coral reef which is home to more than 120 species of different fish, 35 different types of coral and over 140 types of mollusk. Sharks and turtles may swim right past a diver, dolphin may play and there are over 50 types of crustaceans making it a popular spot for a dive.
There are numerous companies that offer tours to different destinations around Costa Rica waters which can be taken depending on the level of experience and what it is the diver wishes to see. The dive companies follow the PADI regulations of safety and quality. Guided dives with a certified instructor can offer trips into the blue waters for the beginner to dive master. There are even courses that an inexperienced diver can take to be ready for their first dive.
Diving in the waters around Costa Rica are simply majestic. There is such a vast variety of marine life and sometimes the fish are in such mass numbers that during a dive they can block the sunlight causing temporary darkness. The water is warm and the visibility is good. A diver can have a spectacular trip exploring these waters and will want to make a return visit. The schools of fish, turtles, and mobula rays add a bit of excitement. In short, a diver will not be disappointed while sharing these blue waters with the marine life. Visit Costa Rica and make some new memories with the humpback whales, killer whales, sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, eels, lobster, octopus, and schools of various fish.
During the 1600’s pirates searched the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica in hopes of finding gold and merchandise from the trade ships. The true treasure of the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is its beaches, climate and culture. The nature lover can snorkel, dive and swim in its beautiful crystal blue waters or walk miles on a nearly deserted beach. There is hiking in the jungle and climbing up to gorgeous views in the mountains. Located in this area is the Jaguar Wild Animal Rescue Center, where you can learn all there is to know about Costa Rica’s wildlife. There are jungle tours giving an informational tour about medicinal purposes for the plants growing in this location.
As you tour this side of Costa Rica the fresh breeze will deliver to your senses the scent of white ginger and jasmine flowers. The beautiful Blue Morpho butterfly may even make an appearance and flutter around you. The cocoa trees sway in the breeze and information is available to the traveler to learn how chocolate is created. During the evening hours a stroll to the beach will bring the chance that the sea turtles are coming up on shore to lay their eggs. There are mass waterfalls in the jungle where you may climb, swim and play until exhaustion. For those that need a little more adventure there are guides that will provide wild river raft tours, zip lining through the forest canopy and trips to the beach on a horse.
Quaint little towns are located down the coastline of Costa Rica which hold charm and provide beautiful beaches. Restaurants are close enough that they can be reached by foot and having a car is not necessary. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is rustic and casual and will take a traveler to a place of calm.
Costa Rica is known for its beauty and majestic waters which bring scuba divers to explore the “Rich Coast”. Costa Rica offers underwater exploration ranging from beautiful coral reefs to their own offshore islands. The different ty ...
Travelers looking for a new exotic coastal location find their answer with Costa Rica. It is located in Central America and is a lost paradise. For the nature lover it offers a wide variety of things to do from water activities of surfing, sc ...
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