Snorkeling

Explore the Papagayo Bay

Farm to Table

Snorkeling

Guanacaste's "Gold Coast" is celebrated for its world-class beaches, but its true aquatic treasures are found just below the surface of its warm, clear Pacific waters. The province is ideally suited for snorkeling, featuring countless sheltered bays, tranquil coves, and rocky volcanic outcroppings that protect marine life and ensure calm conditions, particularly during the dry season. Among the most popular and accessible destinations for this is the renowned Papagayo Bay, located on the northern end of the coast. This expansive bay is dotted with numerous secluded beaches and calm, protected coves, making it a premier location where snorkelers can easily swim directly from the shore and, within minutes, find themselves floating above submerged volcanic formations and rocky reefs bustling with vibrant underwater activity.

Dipping below the surface in these bays reveals a vibrant and diverse marine ecosystem. Snorkelers are immediately greeted by large schools of tropical fish, including the brightly colored parrotfish, distinctive sergeant majors, and elegant Cortez angelfish. Pufferfish are a common sight, navigating the crevices of the reef, while various species of moray eels can often be spotted peering out from their rocky lairs. Beyond the reef fish, the sandy bottoms and rocky structures are also home to starfish, sea urchins, and graceful rays, and it is not uncommon to encounter Pacific green sea turtles gliding through the water.