COSTA RICA

JUNE 17 - 24, 2023

Total package price starting at: $2079/pp

This package includes ground transportation, hotel accommodations, diving tours, daily breakfast, 2 lunches ... and more!

Deadline to sign up is April 15!


THIS TRIP IS GREAT FOR DIVERS OF ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS!

NEWER DIVERS WILL ENJOY THE warm AND clear WATERS AS WELL AS THE EXTRA ATTENTION PROVIDED WITH
GUIDED DIVES EVERY TIME.

MORE EXPERIENCED DIVERS WILL LOVE THE variety of species seen on each dive.


Bosque del Mar Hotel

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

June 17 - 24

Hermosa Beach Located just 25 minutes from Daniel Oduber International airport in Liberia (LIR), one of the closest beaches to an airport in Costa Rica!

El Coco, a vibrant village with night life, shops and art expressions. Enjoy rafting, hikes, horseback riding, culture, sailing, fishing, scuba diving and surf among other activities within a short distance from the hotel.

Bosque del Mar is a boutique hotel facing the sea in Hermosa beach, in the exuberant Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste. Just steps from the beach, revitalize your senses with the gentle sound of waves, ancient trees and wildlife in the jungle- style gardens.

Dining
The beach and the sound of the sea, as well as a great selection of dishes combining the international gourmet style with Costa Rican flavors.

Every day you can enjoy a dream breakfast here and during the day you can enjoy your favorite paradise drink.

Lunch and dinner are a La Carte.


June 17 :
Arrival Costa Rica

You'll arrive in Costa Rica this morning and be met by your driver at the airport to take you to your hotel.

NOTE: This is a group airport arrival transfer- please consult with Zone Travel to ensure you are arriving at the same or similar time as others in this group.

*Lodging (7nt): Bosque del Mar Hotel



June 18 - 19:
Scuba and Snorkeling

Boats will pick you up right from the beach in front of the hotel! Today includes 2-tank dives / snorkels with a great variety and abundance of marine life.

Costa Rica diving is the place to dive for a lot of fish. The dive sites located in this area will offer a wide array of marine life such as snapper, sharks, grouper, moray eels, spotted eagle rays, octopi, angelfish, parrot fish and also the possibility of giant manta rays.  Sea Turtles, puffer fish and sea horse are common on most dive sites. ​

Diving around the site known as Big Scare at Bat Islands a diver can find themselves surrounded by bull sharks that are as large as 11 feet and weighing up to 700 pounds

Return to the hotel for afternoon by the pool or arrange an outside adventure.

Note: The following dives sites are based on weather and availability and can not be guaranteed.

Gulf of Papagayo

Over 20 dive sites on submerged pinnacle packed full of life within a 10 to 20-minute boat ride from  shore. It is common to see squadrons of eagle rays, schooling cow-nosed rays, horse-eyed jacks, snapper, grunts, and puffers. Schools of white-tipped reef sharks are often seen taking a siesta on the sandy bottom..

Catalina Islands

This archipelago of 20 small island  is a cleaning station for Pelagics and offers  some  great  diving with frequent encounters with stingrays, bat rays, devil rays, mobula rays,  eels, sea turtles. This dive spot offers a great opportunity to dive with Pacific Giant Mantas which can be seen there all year round; although the most common sightings lasts from November until April.

Bat Islands

Commonly called “The Bats,” this world class dive site famous for high-voltage diving. A popular dive site is “Big Scare” where divers find themselves surrounded by six to a dozen large 8-12 ft Bull Sharks! Best time to visit Bats island is May to November when we have calmer seas to make the crossing.


June 20:
Volcan

Miravalles

After breakfast (8.30am) you will depart on motorcoach to Volcan Miravalles, Costa Rica’s only life volcano where you can walk around a crater, see and feel the smoke rising out from the boiling, muddy caldrons & steam vents. This volcano is known for its sulfur springs, fumaroles and bubbling mud pots sits 6,653 feet high and is the highest peak of the Guanacaste mountains. Relax in the hot springs, enjoy the volcanic mud. 

A 20 minutes pulled cart ride will lead you to the starting point of this unique private reserve surrounded by amazing waterfalls and nature, a medium –relax 45 minutes’ hike visiting 4 different waterfalls walking along wobbly bridges. You will be able to swim in the first waterfall - either by jumping off or climbing down a ladder. After working up an appetite, You will enjoy a typical Costa Rican meal with a natural tropical fruit drink (included).


June 21 - 22:
Scuba and Snorkeling

Boats will pick you up right from the beach in front of the hotel! Today includes 2-tank dives / snorkels with a great variety and abundance of marine life.

Costa Rica diving is the place to dive for a lot of fish. The dive sites located in this area will offer a wide array of marine life such as snapper, sharks, grouper, moray eels, spotted eagle rays, octopi, angelfish, parrot fish and also the possibility of giant manta rays.  Sea Turtles, puffer fish and sea horse are common on most dive sites. ​

Diving around the site known as Big Scare at Bat Islands a diver can find themselves surrounded by bull sharks that are as large as 11 feet and weighing up to 700 pounds

Return to the hotel for afternoon by the pool or arrange an outside adventure.

**for those interested, you can add on an optional canopy zip line on June 21st in the afternoon, see below for details**

**OPTIONAL ADD ON June 21 at 2:30 PM – Canopy Zip Line Adventure (Add on $75 per person)

This tour will leave you smiling from ear to ear.  This is great fun and will get your adrenaline pumping as you enjoy the beauty of the forest and look for wildlife. This easy, yet exhilarating and exciting experience has you zipping through the treetops. If you’re lucky, the Howler Monkeys will come out and see you zip by at some point during the tour. Guides will accompany young children in tandem, and if necessary, go with an adult who needs hand-holding. Age and weight are generally not a factor. After you arrive, experienced canyoning guides will help outfit you in the gear you will need and give you a safety briefing, showing you how to position your hands and gloves and how to brake when needed.

Within 15 minutes after gearing up, you will be zipping from treetop to treetop across the cables between the 11 platforms. Safety lines secure you to the platforms along the way. Guides do a lot to ensure that guests have maximum enjoyment – especially on the longer, lower height lines that prepare you for the later, higher platforms.  By the time you get to the last platform, you will feel like a pro.


June 23:
Tempisque wildlife boat trip

After breakfast (7.30am) you will depart on motorcoach to Tempisque River.  Float through waterway canals on this guided riverboat cruise along the stunning Tempisque River Park. See Costa Rica’s signature wildlife and vegetation growing and living along the riverside. Catch a glimpse of exotic animals from white-face monkeys to anteaters and more living in the freshwater lagoons, swamps, dry Pacific savannas, and mangrove trees. See colorful, tropical birds taking flight from this international bird-nesting site and let your inner nature-lover soar.

You will finish the afternoon with a great local “guanacasteco” lunch and rum experience (included).


June 24:
Departure

Today is time to say goodbye (for now).

After breakfast you will transfer to the airport for your flight home.

NOTE: This is a group airport departure transfer- please consult with Zone Travel to ensure you are arriving at the same or similar time as others in this group.


Bon Voyage!


 

TRAVEL DETAILS

TRANSPORT

ARRIVAL Transfer (Group)
June 17:

Private Transfer

DEPARTURE Transfer (Group)
June 24:

Private Transfer

ACCOMODATION

Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
June. 17-24

Bosque del Mar Hotel


DIVE INSURANCE

Aquatic Adventures of Ohio requires all divers to have some level of dive insurance to travel on all trips. At minimum, you must have hyperbaric recompression chamber coverage- this may be covered by your current insurance, but if not… you’ll need supplemental dive accident insurance.

NOTE: A DAN membership is separate from DAN insurance.

If you don’t have dive insurance yet, check out the link below for plan options.


Proof of dive insurance will be required prior to departure. If no dive insurance has been purchased/proof provided, AAO reserves the right to cancel your reservation without refund.


REGISTRATION FORM

PLEASE TYPE CAREFULLY! INACCURATE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN TRAVEL DELAYS AND/OR CHANGE FEES.

(Please submit one registration form per household -max 4 people per registration form)


CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR THIS TRIP!

If you’d like to interact with the trip leads or others traveling on this trip, please check out our FB Event page.

We also encourage posting questions, comments or suggestions on some of your favorite dives or dive related topics relating to the trip!


F.A.Q.

Flight recommendations

WHAT AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY INTO?

Bosque Del Mar is located just 45 minutes from Daniel Oduber International airport in Liberia (LIR).

WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE IN LIBERIA (LIR)?

Please check with Zone Travel to ensure that you are arriving/departing at the same time (or similar times) as others in this group.

WHAT TIME is the check in to the hotel?

Check in at the resort will not be until 3pm at the earliest.

  • If you arrive early, or your room is not yet ready for you to check in when you arrive, you may be able to leave your bags with the front desk and they will keep them securely held behind the desk while you go out and eat or explore the resort until your room is ready.

What if I need a roommate? 

If you would like to have a roommate but don't not have one identified yet, then we will initially only charge the double occupancy rate. Aquatic Adventures Ohio will work to find you a roommate; however, if a roommate cannot be found then you are responsible for paying the single occupancy rate.


Are meals INCLUDED?

Daily breakfast is included. Also 2 lunches are included on the excursion days (named in the daily itinerary)

do i need Certifications?

DO I HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED TO GO SCUBA DIVING?

Yes, an Open Water Certification is required to go SCUBA diving.

If you haven’t gotten certified yet, you don’t know what you’re missing!
You can do your classroom work before your trip and then do your checkout dives on vacation!

DO I HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED TO GO SNORKELING?

No.
This is a great activity that nearly everyone can participate in!
Although, we do suggest that you be comfortable in the water and able to swim with a lifejacket on.

CAN I GO DIVING JUST A FEW TIMES? OR DO I HAVE TO DIVE EVERY DAY?

The first rule of diving (well, one of the first rules) is to call a dive if you aren’t comfortable. This means that if you have signed up to go diving one day and you don’t feel comfortable, please don’t get in the water.
That said, this is a personal choice and not one that will result in a refund of money.

If you want to go diving, but don’t want to participate in the active dive schedule we have included, we can arrange a separate dive for you, as often as you’d like!
The great thing about this resort, is that they have a house reef! So you don’t have to go far to get some great diving in.

What are the diving conditions like?

In June, swimming is ideal on the beaches around Costa Rica! With water reaching 85°F at most and 84°F on average, spending time in the water is very pleasant.

A 3mm “shorty” wetsuit is recommended except for rainy days and multiple diving a 3mm "full wetsuit" would be better.

(the local dive shop will have wetsuits available; however, if you prefer to try them on in advance, Aquatic Adventures can assist you with a rental or purchase of a new wetsuit!)

What dive equipment should I bring?

If you prefer to rent your equipment from Aquatic Adventures, we have all of the equipment that you will need.

  • Certification Card

  • Diving Log Book (strongly encouraged; required for solo diving course)

  • Mask *

  • Snorkel *

  • Fins *

  • Booties (if you wear them)

  • Buoyancy Control Device (required) *

  • Regulator w/alternate air source *

  • Submersible pressure and depth gauges (required) *

  • Underwater time piece (required)

  • Dive light *

  • Safety marker buoy *

  • Tank Marker Lights (required for night dives) *

  • For solo divers: pony bottle, whistle, knife, compass, and safety marker buoy or flag deployable from safety stop depth *

  • Dive computer (recommended) *

  • Wetsuit 3 mm *

  • Repair kit w/ spare parts

Can I pay by Zelle?

No, the dive shop does not accept Zelle. You can make your payment by a credit card which includes a 3% processing fee.

Can I pay by check?

Yes!

If you would like to avoid the 3% processing fee, you may pay by check. You can drop this off at the front desk of the dive shop or by mailing this directly to the dive shop.


Pricing details

price Per Person: 

DIVER RATES

$2,079 (QUAD OCCUPANCY)
$2,015 (TRIPLE OCCUPANCY)
$2,229 (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
$2,725 (SINGLE OCCUPANCY)

Snorkeler rates

$2,039 (QUAD OCCUPANCY)
$2,065 (TRIPLE OCCUPANCY)
$2,089 (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
$2,585 (SINGLE OCCUPANCY)

NON-DIVER / Non- Snorkeler RATES:

$1,799 (QUAD OCCUPANCY)
$1,835 (TRIPLE OCCUPANCY)
$1,949 (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
$2,445 (SINGLE OCCUPANCY)

*All pricing & availability is subject to change until completed through the booking process. If your vacation package includes airfare, baggage fees may be an additional cost. For international travel, a passport book is required. Most locations require at least 6 months before expiration on your passport, as well as 2 blank visa pages. Please make sure to have the correct and updated documents if applicable. If you have a criminal background, you are responsible for knowing the travel restrictions pertaining to the offense.

Payments can be made by a credit card which includes a 3% processing fee or by check dropped off to the front desk of the dive shop or mailed directly to the shop.


INCLUDED IN THE QUOTE

  • Ground transportation

    • Round trip from hotel-airport and airport-hotel

  • Accommodation

  • Meals

    • Daily breakfast and 2 lunches

  • Diving

NOT INCLUDED

  • Airfare and airport taxes

  • Gratuities

  • Dive gear rental (other than tanks, weights and weight belts)

  • Pre/post hotel stays (including layover stays)

  • Incidental charges 

  • Add-on excursion

  • 4% processing fee per payment (only if paying w/credit card)

  • Local taxis

  • DAN (Divers Alert Network) or any other form of dive insurance

  • Optional Travel Insurance *DUE AT TIME OF BOOKING- PLEASE REVIEW THE DETAILS OF EACH PLAN THOROUGHLY

    • World Wide Trip Protector Edge ‘Basic’ (average price of $113/pp)

    • World Wide Trip Protector ‘Premium’ (average price of $154/pp)

    • Other insurance options are available, if you have questions or want more coverage options, please let us know at time of booking.

 
SUGGESTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

There are three payment options available to you. 
*Payment schedule does not include insurance costs. Insurance is due with initial payment. 

Option 1: Full Payment
(Most affordable overall)
Full payment (plus insurance)- due upon receipt.

*Please keep in mind, a 4% processing fee will be charged at time of payment if paying with credit card. (this has not been included in the costs.)

Option 2: Two Payments
One payment will be due immediately and the second payment will be due no later than 100 days prior to your trip.

(There will be a one time $50 fee per person, for this delayed payment option)
NOTE: Not all insurance policy will allow you to purchase coverage after the initial deposit. It is illegal to purchase insurance with the knowledge and intent that you will be changing or canceling your trip.)

*Please keep in mind, a 4% processing fee will be charged at time of payment if paying with credit card. (this has not been included in the costs.)

TWO-PAYMENT PLAN:

(price per person)
Due now: $250 + Insurance (suggested)
90 days prior: Remainder due

 

Option 3: Monthly Payments
Payments will be split into the remaining months prior to your trip (ending at 100 days prior to departure)

(There will be a one time $50 fee per person, for this delayed payment option)
*Please keep in mind, a 4% processing fee may be charged at time of paymentif choosing to pay with a credit card. (this has not been included in the costs.)

Split amount due into monthly payments.

  • The first payment must be a minimum of $250 + insurance (per person), due upon receipt.

  • The remaining payments will be divided by the months- with final payment due 100 days prior to your trip.

 

REGISTRATION 

  • A completed registration form (one per household -max 2 people per registration form)

    • If you have more than 2 people from the same household going on this trip, please fill out multiple forms, as the maximum per form is 2 people.

 

FINAL PAYMENT

  • Payments not received on time will result in reservation cancellation without refund.

  • Additional bookings after the final payment deadline may result in higher prices, less availability and additional administrative fees.

  • Fee amounts imposed are at the discretion of Zone Travel.

 

CANCELLATION

Cancellation in writing must be received by Zone Travel 60 days prior to departure for appropriate refund on the land tour cost minus the following fees:

  • Commissions and Travel insurance are non-refundable.

Zone Travel LLC and its cooperative destination incur unrecoverable charges preparing for your trip therefore, no refunds if cancellations occur less than 60 days before departure. Cancellations more than 60 days prior to departure are based on individual group bookings per the outlined confirmation document you receive.

We sell a variety of travel related products from different suppliers and service providers ("Suppliers"). Each Supplier has its own terms and condition that are applicable to your particular arrangements in addition to our general terms and conditions, and you should make sure you understand them.

Zone Travel is acting as intermediary or a "Booking Agent" for products and services that are not directly supplied by us (e.g., air carriage and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, tours, cruises, etc.). We are not a co-vendor of such products and services. You will be entering into a separate contract with such Suppliers in connection with such products and services.

By making payments to Zone Travel for this trip you are agreeing to all Terms and Conditions listed on the Zone Travel website.

Vendor Cancel policy: Each vendor has their own policies, which we have to apply. This information may vary and is listed in full detail on the contract signed for each vendor.

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRAVEL INSURANCE

 


 

Travel Insurance

TRAVEL INSURANCE - AVAILABLE FOR ALL USA CITIZENS - DUE WITH INITIAL PAYMENT

Zone Travel LLC strongly suggests purchasing Trip Cancellation insurance. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider as most U.S. medical coverage will not cover you outside of the country.

Insurance costs are based on the total package cost, including air taxes and charges listed under "Included."

Approximate amounts can be given at time of reservation in order to purchase the appropriate amount of insurance.

EDGE PLAN:
(BASIC PROTECTION)

Extensive coverage for everyone; designed with families in mind.

  • Pre-existing Medical Conditions coverage if purchased within 14 days of deposit (other eligibility conditions must also be met)

  • Wide range of reasons for trip cancellation or interruption

  • Trip Delay and Missed Tour or Cruise Connection coverage

  • Baggage Protection and Travel Accident Protection

  • Medical and Evacuation coverage 

 

 

WORLDWIDE TRIP PROTECTOR:
(PREMIUM PROTECTION)

Extensive coverage for everyone; designed with families in mind.

  • Pre-existing Medical Conditions coverage if purchased within 21 days of deposit (other eligibility conditions must also be met)

  • Wide range of reasons for trip cancellation or interruption

  • Trip Delay and Missed Tour or Cruise Connection coverage

  • Baggage Protection and Travel Accident Protection

  • Medical and Evacuation coverage