I will be traveling to CR for 10 days in early May. We are planning on flying into San Jose and leaving from Liberia. We would like our vacation to be half relaxation and half adventure.

We defintiely want to:
3 days in Manuel Antonio at Makanda by the Sea
2 days in the Arenal area at Tabacon Resort.

We are considering:
2 days in the Jaco area at Villa Caletas (stayed there before and loved it!)
2 days in Tamarindo at Cala Luna or Sueno del Mar. (But, we are concerned Guanacaste will still be brown - not lush)

BUT - it is very important to us to get in some good beach time a snorkeling. What are the best snorkeling spots in CR? We thought about going to the southern Caribbean side, but it seems like a hassel. Or perhaps the Osa Peninsula?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

The only place we've snorkeled in Costa Rica was off Cano Island off the Osa Peninsula. Saw a large sea turtle, a couple of good sized reef sharks and other fish. There wasn't the coral or the crystal clear water that we've had in Belize or Mexico. I have never been to Guanacaste, so don't know about the snorkeling there.

I don't know if I'd bother with the Manual Antonio and Jaco. Pretty similar areas.

Jean

You've already made good choices for the quality beach time, the crowds at MA should be tapering off and the palm trees never turn brown at Tamarindo.

Cahuita is know for it's reef, and that's the main reason they established the National Park there, but it's not really a good reason to go there. I might be pilloried for heresy but if you really want to dive or snorkle for the reef, there are many better places to go than Costa Rica. Visibility around Cahuita is often poor due to the sediment carried by the runoff from the banana plantations, the best sites aren't a casual paddle out, they are far enough that all but the strongest require a boat, and since the earthquake lifted the reef it's never quite been the same. There are a lot of good reasons to visit the Southern Caribbean, but honestly, world class snorkeling isn't among them.

The unique open water experience that Costa Rica can offer is off the Pacific coast where you can see large marine life (like the turtles mentioned by Jean, sting rays, hammerhead, white tip and massive nurse sharks, as well as humpback and pilot whales although you might be a little late to catch the whales). Be forewarned however that snorkelling from the beach often suffers from similar disadvantages to those mentioned for Cahuita, and you'll probably want to arrange for a boat.

Again the possibilty of pillory, but the Osa may not be your best bet for snorkelling either (fantastic deserted beaches yes, diving with hammerheads yes, snorkelling...it's ok...). You say you want half adventure well the Osa is the half for you. There aren't a lot of truly wild places left in the world, and none as accessible as Corcovado.

Have a great trip!

I agree. Costa Rica is not a 'snorkeling' destination. GREAT for wildlife, hiking, nature and surfing.

Like Ally, I have snorkled off Belize and Cozumel and once you have done that, CR can be a big disappointment IMHO. The two top areas are, as mentioned, Cano Island and also further north around the Catalina Islands. I have seen a few good things in each place but not enough to ever want to go back just for the snorkeling.
For a wonderful wildlife experience I would recommend Bosque del Cabo on Cabo Matapalo down on the Osa. They have many great trails to hike on. There is also surfing. You can go waterfall rapelling next door with Joel, go sea kayaking nearby or go into town and go out with Tom at Escondido Trex for the high tide mangrove/sunset in the Gulfo Dulce kayak trip. You would then eat dinner in town before heading back to the lodge. Some people have seen pods of dolphins doing this. Once it gets dark you may get to see the bioluminesence. Bosque del Cabo is a wonderful combination of relaxation and adventure. It is up on the actual point so it has wonderful views of the ocean as well as good breezes. There is a lovely pool by the bar. The hot water showers for the individual cabinas are open to the sky and in some cabinas, the view. It is a hike to get down to the Gulf or the Pacific. For hiking down to the Gulf they do have a place to pick you up and give you a ride back. There are miles of empty beaches there to explore so you could have them make you a box lunch and just head out for the day. Did I mention that you can see all 4 types of monkeys right there? Scarlet Macaws landing right in the trees!
Depending on what time you arrive in CR you might be able to get a flight out the same day. There aren't too many flights each day but it is possible. From the Osa you could fly back to San Jose and then go to Arenal. If you fly back early enough and have transportation arranged, you could be in Arenal by early to mid afternoon.
From Arenal you could go to Tamarindo and be an hour from your departure airport.

Where is the best place to snorkel near Playa Hermosa Guanacaste and hopefully see rays or dolphins? Thanks

We just got back yesterday from Costa Rica. The snorkeling was way better than I was expecting. I was comparing it to St. John USVI and the Caymans. The water was like glass. It was clear, warm, and smooth. We could see to the bottom. We saw many colored fish. We also saw a few small elkhorn and brain corals---nothing like the coral gardens elswhere---but enjoyable nonetheless.

We went on Costa Celaje Tours leaving from the docks in Quepos---the town next to Manuel Antonio. Bill Bennett, our guide, took us to a little rock island off of Manuel Antonio.

He taught us a lot about the area. He served us sandwiches, ceviche, water, and beer. We looked for some dolphins after that---and found them. Since it was a small boat, we got to see them closer than the people on the big boats. At the end, we watched the sunset from the boat. All this was $55 a person through our rental place.

We were so impressed that we got his info. to pass on to friends. (506) 364-6600 & (506) 811-0179. His biz partner's email is [email protected].