Top 5 Reasons to Learn to Dive in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica

Rich Coast Diving
Jul 17
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

If you've ever dreamed of exploring the underwater world, there's no better place to begin your scuba journey than Playas del Coco, Costa Rica. Nestled on the Pacific Coast of Guanacaste, this vibrant beach town is the ultimate destination to learn to dive, whether you're a complete beginner or looking to advance your scuba certification. Playas del Coco is the ultimate destination for travelers from North America especially the United States and Cananda.

Located on Costa Rica’s beautiful Pacific coast, Playas del Coco offers easy access, warm tropical waters, and some of the best beginner dive sites in the Americas. In over 32 years at Rich Coast Diving, we’ve helped thousands of Americans and Canadians become certified divers — and we’re ready to help you too.

Here are the top 5 reasons to get certified in Playas del Coco.

1. Fast, Easy Flights from North America to Playas del Coco

Whether you're coming from New York, Toronto, Miami, or Los Angeles, Costa Rica is one of the most accessible international destinations in Central America.

Liberia International Airport (LIR) is only 40 minutes from our dive center
Direct flights from major U.S. and Canadian cities operate daily
No visa required for U.S. and Canadian citizens for up to 90 days
Your U.S. or Canadian driver’s license is valid for rental cars
We can book your taxi from the airport to Playas del Coco

In other words — you could leave the cold behind in the morning and be learning to scuba dive in warm tropical waters by the afternoon.

OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE INFO

Map of Costa Rica and location of Rich Coast Diving

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2. Costa Rica has Warm, Tropical Diving All Year Long

Forget cold quarry dives or limited dive seasons. In Playas del Coco, you can learn to dive any time of year.

Water temperatures range from 75°F to 84°F (24°C to 29°C)
Comfortable conditions with minimal current — ideal for beginners
Training sites for all levels with an incredible range of marine life

Plus, diving in the Pacific Ocean means incredible marine biodiversity, including rays, turtles, reef sharks, and colorful schools of fish — often spotted even on your very first dive!

3. Scuba Certifications That Are Valid Worldwide

At Rich Coast Diving, we are an official SSI (Scuba Schools International) Career Center — the highest dive center rating in the scuba diving industry. Your SSI Open Water certification is:

Globally (ISO) recognized, including in the USA, Canada, and beyond
Accepted at any dive shop or resort worldwide
Fully digital — access your card and logbook right on your phone
Rich Coast Diving is a Professional training center with pool for dive training
Multilingual staff (English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Italian)
We offer private courses
Equipment & dive computer rental included

We also offer continuing education courses if you plan to become an Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, or Dive Professional.

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4. Affordable Courses and Travel Costs in Costa Rica

Compared to learning to dive in Florida, California, or the Caribbean, Costa Rica is incredibly affordable — especially in Playas del Coco.

Scuba courses at Rich Coast Diving are often 30–40% cheaper than U.S. or Canadian pricing
Accommodation, food, and local transport are all budget-friendly
We offer course + accommodation packages to make your trip simple and stress-free

You’ll not only save money — you’ll get more adventure and value for it !

5. Adventure, Nature, and a Warm Community at Rich Coast Diving

When you're not diving, Playas del Coco offers the perfect Costa Rican mix of nature, fun, and pura vida spirit.

Visit national parks, go zip-lining, hike volcanoes, or relax on the beach
Enjoy fresh seafood, beachfront bars, and friendly local vibes
Join our social events and connect with other divers and travelers from around the world.