Ballena Marine National Park

Diving and Snorkeling

Bahía Aventuras. This outfit's bilingual guides lead half-day tours in covered boats that combine whale- and dolphin-watching with snorkeling for $85. A boat tour of the Terraba Sierpe Mangrove costs $85. You can also go fishing from a 23-foot locally designed and built boat. Bahía Ballena. 2743-8362 or 8846-6576. www.bahiaaventuras.com.

Mystic Dive Center. Specializing in dive and snorkel trips to Caño Island, about 50 km (31 miles) offshore, this long-standing dive operation takes a minimum of four divers or eight snorkelers ($115 full-day snorkeling; $158 full-day diving). The tour leaves at 6:30 am and returns around 2 pm. Or you can dive or snorkel closer in, only a 15-minute boat ride from Playa Ventanas, morning or afternoon, with a minimum of four ($80 for snorkelers, $100 for divers). You can also rent surf- and boogie boards or take PADI dive lessons. West side of Costanera Hwy., near entrance to Ojochal, Ojochal. 2786-5217. www.mysticdivecenter.com. Open only during dry season, Dec.-Apr.

The best spot for snorkeling in the park is at the north end of Playa Ballena, near the whale's tail.

Dolphin Tours of Bahía Ballena. This tried-and-true tour company takes a minimum of two people on four-hour boat tours that combine dolphin- and whale-watching with snorkeling and a visit to a rocky island bird sanctuary ($70). Half-day fishing trips for snook and red snapper cost $500 for up to four anglers; full-day trips are $650. 2743-8013 or 8825-4031. www.dolphintourcostarica.com.

More Sports and Outdoors

• Diving and Snorkeling

• Ultralight Flights