Fees · Destination Guide
Rocky Pacific islands, seasonal manta encounters and relaxed Guanacaste beach bases.
Key fee: Catalina two-tank certified dive, Pacific Coast Dive Center example
USD $140, plus 13% VAT as advertised
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no independently verified separate Catalina Islands national-park entrance tag or admission charge for the approved routine day-boat scope in the reviewed sources. Do not conflate Catalina day boats with separately regulated or priced Bat Islands trips. Operator excursions, optional gear, pickups and a published 13% VAT matter more to the traveler budget. Costa Rica publishes a USD $29 departure tax, often included in airline tickets. Fishing or spearfishing requires separate INCOPESCA authorization. Confirm all fees at checkout. Operator fee breakdown; Tourism Board taxes; Underwater fishing license.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina two-tank certified dive, Pacific Coast Dive Center example | USD $140, plus 13% VAT as advertised Per advertised two-tank excursion; subject to change | scuba | Directly with Pacific Coast Dive Center | Listed package includes equipment and guide. Confirm cancellation, exact pickup fee, computer and site. Published rate. |
| Catalina two-tank dive, Rocket Frog Divers example | USD $85, plus 13% VAT; full rental gear separately listed at USD $30 Per advertised boat trip; subject to change | scuba | Directly with Rocket Frog Divers | This is not directly comparable to an all-included quote. Verify guided plan, gear, computer and current price. Current posted price list. |
| Guided Catalina snorkel, Pacific Coast Dive Center example | USD $95, plus 13% VAT as advertised Per advertised excursion; subject to change | snorkel | Directly with Pacific Coast Dive Center | Operator lists snorkel equipment and guide. Deep-water conditions mean participation suitability must be assessed. Tour page. |
| Boat rider, Pacific Coast Dive Center example | USD $50 as advertised; verify taxes and capacity Per advertised seat; subject to change | topside | Directly with Pacific Coast Dive Center | Passenger-only option, not a snorkel or dive ticket. Boat rider terms. |
| Beginner freediving discovery workshop, Altum example | USD $150 as advertised; confirm taxes Per advertised course; subject to change | freedive | Directly with Altum Adventures | One-day discovery program includes theory/pool and open water plus required equipment. Confirm current dates. Freedive program. |
| Optional selected-area ground pickup, Pacific Coast example | USD $15 roundtrip as advertised; verify at booking Per advertised selected-location transfer; subject to change | scuba; snorkel; topside | Directly with the booked operator | Not automatically available at all Tamarindo, Potrero or Flamingo addresses. Pickup list. |
| Costa Rica air departure tax | USD $29, check whether airline ticket already includes it Applicable flight departure tax | general | Usually included by airline or paid as instructed at airport if not included | Costa Rica Tourism Board publishes the tax amount; do not automatically add it to an all-in airline fare. Tax FAQ. |
| INCOPESCA underwater fishing card, only if spearfishing | USD $56.50 for one-year underwater fishing card on official online form One year per posted category; verify current rules and restricted areas | freedive | INCOPESCA official portal | Not required merely to snorkel or freedive without taking fish. A freedive course does not substitute for the legal fishing card. Official fee portal. |
Fee
Per advertised two-tank excursion; subject to change
Listed package includes equipment and guide. Confirm cancellation, exact pickup fee, computer and site. Published rate.
Per advertised boat trip; subject to change
This is not directly comparable to an all-included quote. Verify guided plan, gear, computer and current price. Current posted price list.
Per advertised excursion; subject to change
Operator lists snorkel equipment and guide. Deep-water conditions mean participation suitability must be assessed. Tour page.
Per advertised seat; subject to change
Passenger-only option, not a snorkel or dive ticket. Boat rider terms.
Per advertised course; subject to change
One-day discovery program includes theory/pool and open water plus required equipment. Confirm current dates. Freedive program.
Per advertised selected-location transfer; subject to change
Not automatically available at all Tamarindo, Potrero or Flamingo addresses. Pickup list.
Applicable flight departure tax
Costa Rica Tourism Board publishes the tax amount; do not automatically add it to an all-in airline fare. Tax FAQ.
One year per posted category; verify current rules and restricted areas
Not required merely to snorkel or freedive without taking fish. A freedive course does not substitute for the legal fishing card. Official fee portal.