Cahuita and the Southern Caribbean

For scuba, verify the instructor or divemaster's credentials, safe site selection, oxygen, first-aid kit, communications, vessel emergency equipment, cylinder and rental checks, weather cancellation policy and evacuation pathway. Follow certification, medical and no-decompression limits. Never interpret a protected reef snorkel corridor as approved for scuba or underwater fishing. For freediving, no local specialist supervision or training line was verified; never train breath-hold alone or after hyperventilating. For snorkel, wear approved flotation as needed and follow the licensed local guide's permitted route. SINAC forbids standing on or pulling yourself along coral; its official park brochure warns about sea currents. For suspected decompression illness, provide oxygen if trained, call 911 and contact DAN rather than attempting an in-water recompression or a self-directed chamber transfer.

The Costa Rican Social Security Fund directory lists the Talamanca health area, but a directory listing is not proof of 24-hour emergency, surgical or hyperbaric capacity. For a life-threatening problem call 911 and follow the EMS referral pathway; advise responders that the patient has been scuba diving. DAN advises immediate assessment at an appropriate medical facility and provides dive-injury consultation at +1 919 684 9111. No currently staffed recompression chamber, guaranteed treatment slot or exact evacuation duration in Cahuita/Puerto Viejo was independently verified. Have insurance, transport arrangements and an operator-specific emergency plan before diving.

Cahuita National Park is co-managed with the local community and protects coral and coastal forest. The official park brochure prohibits removing animals, plants or rocks, feeding wildlife, smoking, fires, fishing with spears/nets, and walking off designated paths. Swimming and reef snorkeling must stay within authorized areas; never touch or stand on coral. SINAC likewise prohibits reef collecting and disturbance in the adjacent refuge. Avoid physical contact with turtles, rays, monkeys or sloths; leave nests alone and never use flash at nesting animals. Respect locally determined access and guide requirements, including any short-notice marine closure.