Costa Rica Vacations

Snorkeling Tour

Looking for an exotic vacation destination for you and the whole family? Want to try something new and exciting? Come to Costa Rica and take part in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Possibly the most beautiful natural treasures of Costa Rica lie just under the surface of the ocean. In fact, in Spanish, Costa Rica means "the rich coast". This Central American paradise has been consistently ranked as a world leader in ecological conservation and environmental protection over the last two decades. Costa Rica has several hundred miles of pristine coastal waters, both along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, abounding with marine flora and fauna. You too can experience firsthand the breathtaking beauty of Costa Rica's aquatic wildlife by treating yourself to a snorkeling tour along the country's abundant shore line.

Snorkeling is a great idea for a family activity, as it doesn't require the intensive training or expensive equipment that are found in Scuba Diving. Whereas scuba diving involves cumbersome accessories like pressurized air tanks and wet suits, the only items necessary for a successful snorkeling outing are diving masks, fins and snorkels, of course! Generally, wet suits are not worn on snorkeling trips in Costa Rica, as the waters are quite warm year round. However, wet suits can be worn in place of normal swim wear if you desire. If you don't have much previous experience swimming, you may also wish to wear an inflatable vest to help you remain buoyant until you feel more comfortable in the water. It is also a good idea to always swim with a partner, just for safety.

The fundamentals of snorkeling are really quite simple. While snorkeling, you will use only a few basic pieces of equipment. Your diving mask will allow you to clearly observe your surroundings as you swim. Using your fins, you can propel yourself along the coast with minimal effort, allowing you to swim greater distances for longer periods of time. The snorkel, which is a tube that allows air from above the surface of the water to enter your mouth, will make it possible for you to stay underwater as long as you like.

The first step in equipping yourself is to properly place the diving mask over your face. In order to create an airtight seal, it is a good idea to wet the rubber edges of the masks before putting it on. Next, you should secure the fins on your feet. It is important to select fins that fit your feet tightly, yet comfortably, so they won't come loose as you swim. Finally, place the mouthpiece of the snorkel in your mouth, and after going underwater, exhale once to clear water out of the snorkel. It is important that you keep the top of the snorkel above the surface water, so you will have a steady stream of air.

After only a few minutes preparation, you are now ready to spend endless hours marveling at the elegant aquatic wildlife of the "Rich Coast". Enjoy!