www.CostaRicaTicas.com

All, I have a few questions and things I need to ask from the CRT fellows...

1) Is there a descent SCUBA place in Jaco, and if so, what are the chances I could get there, and get in the water if I arrive at 2pmish... I just want to say that I've done SOMETHING in CR other than monger, and SCUBA is my favourite thing, outside the hobby...

2) How much would it cost to have someone take me to and from Jaco by minibus/taxi? - I'm debating renting a car, versus taxi. (Neither driving in CR, nor language is an issue, as I've driven in worse - Delhi, Rio, Mexico City, and speak spanish)

3) How long does it really take to get to Jaco on a Sunday? - I've heard estimates from 1 - 4 hrs.


Thanks guys!

qbf

A private taxi/minivan would be about $70-90 each way. But you can take the Interbus shuttle for $19/person. It's a late model air conditioned minibus. It will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at your hotel in Jaco. door to door service. If there are 2 of you, it still saves you money.

It takes about 2 hours by private car/taxi, about 2:45 by Interbus (it includes a 10 min. rest stop). But if you get stuck behind a slow bus or truck uphill or a car in either direction breaks down on the one lane road, well you can imagine. You can ask the driver to stop if you need to eat, drink, piss, whatever. It holds a max of 8 people, but the buses are always light-lots of room.

The only thing about Interbus is that you have to book them at least 3-4 days in advance and have to guarantee it with a credit card. You have to fax or email a copy of the credit card too which is a pain in the balls.
www.interbusonline.com

If you have traveled to CR a few time and are planning to get out of SJ for several day just rent a car. I use Dollar and normally rent a Sentra for around $200 for the week..... Never had a problem with them at turn-in time....

As a Diver myself, and with Frontier airlines adding direct service to San Jose starting this fall, I was wondering the same thing. When I read scubaboard, they talk about an areas like Playa Del Coco, Ocotal, Playa Hermosa, almost all on the pacific coast.

Is there any action on the pacific coast, or should we plan on partying in San Jose and diving the coast and split it that way? If so, what is the best land based transport given that you can't fly 24 hours after your last dive?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

You could travel with Interbus, they leave at 8:15:00 AM and arrive in Jaco at 11:00:00 AM ($19.00). Grayline offers a similar service for $21.00.

The water visibility isn't that great during the rainy season. The best time for diving would probably be February to April. The Caribbean coast of CR has a lot more coral reef than the Pacific side, which may make for scenic diving. However, since the scuba boards you've been reading mainly mention the Pacific coast I'm thinking the Caribbean might not be as developed with scuba shops yet.

The Carribean Coast of CR isn't that great either. If you want to dive or snorkle in a world class place, go to the Great barrier reef, Bahamas, or to the palancar reef in Cozumel.

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Cozumel used to be the spot for scuba/snorkeling. Went to cozumel 4 months ago the reef is all messed because of the two major hurricanes they've gotten the last two years. little to no sea life. everything on the Yucatan penisula is in its regrowing stage. If you want the best scuba ever. save your money and go to maritius in the indian ocean. It's off the cost of madagascar. Better than australia.