Best dive sites in Costa Rica
North America · Central America / Pacific · 2 dive sites reviewed · best Jun–Nov
Costa Rica's Pacific coast is home to Cocos Island, a remote UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's premier big-animal dive destinations. Its offshore waters attract enormous schools of hammerhead sharks along with mantas, whale sharks, and silky sharks. Access is exclusively by specialization liveaboard from the mainland, making it a top-tier technical and advanced dive trip.
Diving in Costa Rica: the essentials
We've ranked 2 dive sites in Costa Rica, averaging 3.8/5 across the set. Our top pick, Bat Islands (Islas Murciélago), scores 3.9/5 — Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers..
Conditions are strongest in Jun–Nov.
A realistic travel budget in Costa Rica works out to about $151/day per person — see the cost breakdown below for the full picture.
Local food
Gallo pinto, casados, ceviche and endless tropical fruit — the 'Pura Vida' diet.
Local culture
Costa Ricans live by 'Pura Vida', prioritising a calm, eco-conscious lifestyle. Ticos are gentle, and the country is famously protective of its nature.
Typical travel cost
Average daily cost per person
A one-week trip costs about $1059 per person, based on real traveler spending.
Source: BudgetYourTrip — real traveler expenses, not a fixed rate.
Bat Islands (Islas Murciélago)
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Dive sites in this country
2 ranked
Bat Islands (Islas Murciélago)
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.
Cocos Island
Wall-and-reef diving with visibility up to 25 m, 4 standout species, liveaboard access, challenging currents — a strong choice for experienced divers.