Guanacaste — Murcielago Islands
A route along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast covering three zones: Culebra Bay with the Catalina Islands, the Cuajiniquil and El Jobo area, and the uninhabited Murcielago Archipelago (Bat Islands) in Santa Rosa National Park — one of the most scenic island chains in the country.
Dive sites include Punta Gorda, Tiburones, Virador, Acuario, and Arcoiris in the Culebra zone, La Rueda and Coral Negro in the Cuajiniquil area, and Bajo Negro, The Big Scare, and Los Arcos at the Murcielago Islands. Encounters with mantas, bull and reef sharks, sea turtles, groupers, and snappers, and in season — humpback whales and dolphins. Up to 4 dives per day including night dives.
What You'll See
Conditions
Season
May–November
Visibility
15–30 meters
Water Temperature
24–28°C
Level
Open Water and above
Duration
7 nights
Useful Information
Best Season
June–November (rainy season, peak hammerhead and whale shark activity), December–May (calmer seas, better visibility)
Visa
Visa-free entry for up to 90 days for most nationalities; a passport valid for the whole trip and a return ticket are required
How to Get There
Fly to San José (SJO) via Madrid, Istanbul or Panama City, then 2 hours by road to the port of Puntarenas and a 30–36 hour liveaboard crossing to Cocos.
Climate
Tropical, 24–32°C, rainy season May–November
Currency
Costa Rican colón (CRC), US dollars widely accepted
Time Zone
UTC-6
