Since Costa Rica is blessed with a Caribbean coastline, many diving and snorkeling enthusiasts tend to pursue their passion on that side of the country, thereby missing out on the great opportunities located on the opposite side. The northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is home to an underwater paradise, but there are issues with visibility that can alleviated with the expert assistance of local diving shops.

Many property investors who arrive in Guanacaste to evaluate real estate like to include diving and snorkeling sessions during their visits. According to the property specialists at Re/Max Ocean Surf and Sun in Tamarindo Beach, a few of their clients are seasoned scuba divers whose decision to purchase in Guanacaste was partly based on the number of underwater spots and diving shops.

Dive shops in Guanacaste can be found along the Gold Coast beaches of Samara, Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, and others. Advanced divers who travel from abroad should get in touch with the divemasters at these shops ahead of their trip; it can be very disappointing to enter a spot affected by the agricultural runoff caused by torrential rains in the green season, which may result in heavy sedimentation and eutrophication.

Many of the premium dive spots in Guanacaste are the best in Costa Rica, and they will require a charter boat ride to reach small islands off the coast. Isla de Chora is a good option near Playa Samara; other great spots can be found around the Catalina Islands, which are popular from about November to the middle of May. From about June to November, the Islas Murcielago (Bat Islands) are ideal for divers who would like to encounter bull sharks.

Isla Tortuga in Guanacaste offers a nice combination of shallow reef and a shipwreck; this is a popular spot for fans of underwater photography.