This eco-adventure includes diving or snorkeling with Costa Rica's marine life as well as land-based tours through their vibrant tropical rainforests. The itinerary has 4 days of diving/snorkeling (including 2-dives/day) to conduct REEF surveys, as well as land tours in Monteverde exploring the land side of this amazing destination. Enjoy hanging bridge tours, sloths, and a hike through a cloud forest. This weeklong family-friendly expedition welcomes divers and non-divers alike and has something for everyone.
Project Focus: The purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip! This trip will also include several land-based tours and activities. Details and itinerary are below.
Best Suited For: Divers, Snorkelers, and Non-divers
Accommodations: Accommodations for this trip are provided by Bosque del Mar Hotel in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, and Poco a Poco in Monteverde. The standard accommodation is a Tropical suite. Each room is air-conditioned and has 2 queen beds, a bathroom, a living room, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, cable TV, a hairdryer, a safe, a desk, a closet, and a terrace with seating. Upgrades to garden-view suites or ocean-view suites are also available upon request. Accommodation at Poco a Poco will be in the Bromelia rooms. Upgrades are available based on request. Please inquire for more details.
Diving or Snorkeling: The trip package includes 4 days of 2 morning boat dives with Rocket Frog Divers, the on-site dive operation. Snorkelers may also join these trips. The recommended age for snorkeling is ages 10 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult when snorkeling, and may not be left unattended on the boat. The average water temperature in Costa Rica during the time of the trip is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
| Double Occupancy, Diver | Double Occupancy, Snorkeler/Boat Rider | Single Occupancy, Diver | Single Occupancy, Snorkler/Boat Rider | |
| Tropical Suite | $3,070 | $2,950 | $4,320 | $4,200 |
| Garden Suite | $3,175 | $3,055 | $4,230 | $4,110 |
| Ocean Suite | $3,594 | $3,474 | $5,426 | $5,306 |
Non-Diver/Non-Boat rider pricing available based on request.
Rates for children ages 12 and under and for triple- and quad-occupancy are also available based on request.
Your Package Includes: The trip package includes 5 nights of accommodation at Bosque del Mar and 2 nights at Poco a Poco in Monteverde, daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, 4 days of 2-tank boat dives or snorkeling, round-trip transfers from Liberia (LIR) airport, land-based excursions and activities, and associated transfers as detailed in the itinerary below.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $350 will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials. The REEF Program Fee applies to all divers and any attendee age 18 or older.
Additional Fees - Not Included: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF - All flights, and meals other than those specifically mentioned in the itinerary below. Gratuities for boat crew, tour guides, bus drivers, and hotel staff are not included and are at each individual's discretion. Optional tours are outlined below. Nitrox is also available for certified divers for a small fee per tank.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $500 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Costa Rica Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Liberia (LIR) airport on Saturday, July 17th, and depart the following Saturday, 24th. All participants are responsible for booking their own airfare. REEF is not able to book air travel. Please keep in mind the transfer information below.
Transfers: Round-trip airport transfers are included in the trip package. Participants will be picked up from the airport in Liberia and transported by shuttle to Bosque del Mar in Playa Hermosa, approximately a 30-minute drive. It is recommended to arrive in Liberia between 12 and 3 pm if possible. On July 24, the final day of the trip, participants will be transported back to the airport via one group transfer to Liberia for departure flights. Participants should look to book departure flights between 12 and 2 pm. Transfers outside of the group transfer are possible for an additional fee.
Passports, Documentation and Visas: Visitors to Costa Rica are required to have a current passport and a return ticket. U.S. citizens visiting Costa Rica for less than 90 days do not require a visa. Please refer to the appropriate consulate for requirements to enter Costa Rica.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Liberia International Airport → Guanacaste
Airport meet and greet for a short private transfer to your beach hotel. Arrive and get settled and relaxed on Costa Rica’s Gold Coast before your next morning dive adventure. Group briefing and dive center check-in meeting on-site, followed by an included welcome dinner.
Day 2, 3, 4, 5 – Scuba Diving: 2-Tank AM Boat Dive
Breakfast at the Hotel (included). Boats will pick up the group right from the beach in front of the hotel, including 2-tank dives/snorkels with a great variety and abundance of marine life. Return to the hotel for the afternoon by the pool or arrange an outside adventure. Early evening fish class, followed by dinner on your own.
Day 6 – Guanacaste → Monteverde | Forest Wildlife Immersion
Breakfast at the hotel (included). Departure and scenic transfer from Guanacaste to Poco a Poco in Monteverde. Lunch upon arrival. Hanging bridges, sloth habitat, and a butterfly garden tour in the afternoon, and a group dinner at a local Monteverde restaurant in the evening.
Day 7 – Cloud Forest Exploration
Breakfast at the hotel and a morning guided cloud forest walk in one of the Cloud Forest Reserves. Lunch is included after the hike. The afternoon is open for optional tours, including ziplining. Farewell dinner at Poco a Poco.
Day 8 – Monteverde → Liberia International Airport (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and group transfer back to Liberia International Airport for departure.
Optional Additional Tours
Guanacaste - Canopy add-on – $70 per person (Afternoon Day 3)
Guanacaste - Palo Verde River Wildlife Cruise - $120 per person (Afternoon Day 2, 3, 4 - Minimum 6pax)
Monteverde - Coffee and Chocolate Tour – $60 per person (Afternoon Day 7)
Monteverde - Canopy Zip Line - $95 per person (Afternoon Day 7)
COVID-19 Considerations: It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section in our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information.