Fees · Destination Guide
Boat-ready Pacific reefs, easy coastal bases and a conditional big-shark frontier.
Key fee: Santa Rosa National Park Sector Marino entrance
USD $15 per foreign adult before 13% VAT; USD $16.95 displayed including VAT on another official ACG page
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no demonstrated universal daily scuba marine-park tag for ordinary local Papagayo reefs in these sources. The protected Santa Rosa marine sector, including allowable Bat Islands dive sites, has mandatory reservation/authorization and admission, often bundled into a quoted specialist trip. ACG lists a USD $15 foreign adult admission before 13% VAT, while another official page displays USD $16.95 including VAT; confirm directly with ACG and your operator. Rocket Frog displays local tour prices before 13% VAT, except specifically tax-inclusive packages. Costa Rica's USD $29 air departure tax is usually already in tickets. Marine-sector restrictions; published tariffs; departure tax.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa National Park Sector Marino entrance | USD $15 per foreign adult before 13% VAT; USD $16.95 displayed including VAT on another official ACG page Per approved visit; verify current category, payment method and group eligibility | scuba; snorkel; topside | ACG marine-sector reservation system or through an authorized operator that confirms the fee is bundled | Only for activities entering the protected marine sector, not ordinary Coco local reef trips. ACG requires authorization with visitor/boat details, advance admission and site-specific restrictions; the booking portal says marine-sector payment is needed before reservation. A quoted dive may include this fee, but verify. Booking portal; fee display. |
| Costa Rica international air departure tax | USD $29 when not already included in the flight ticket Once per applicable international air departure | scuba; freedive; snorkel; topside | Airline ticket in most cases; if excluded, pay as directed at the airport | The Tourism Board says most airline tickets include this tax. It is not an arrival visa fee or a dive permit. Official statement. |
| Indicative Papagayo local two-tank trip | USD $85 advertised by Rocket Frog, plus 13% VAT; separate rentals may apply Operator price subject to change and availability | scuba | Directly with Rocket Frog; not a government permit | Reference price, not a guaranteed fare. The operator states tanks and weights are included; some bundles include gear and tax. 2026 operator pricing. |
| Indicative Bat Islands two-tank excursion | USD $165 advertised by Rocket Frog; verify 13% VAT, rentals, and park-fee handling Conditional specialist excursion; no guaranteed date | scuba | Operator booking/availability request, subject to separate park authorization | Rocket Frog advertises included national park admission; other operator insurance, qualification, check-dive and minimum-group requirements can differ. Rocket Frog; Rich Coast terms. |
| Optional local snorkeler or passenger place | From USD $50 on Rocket Frog local Papagayo boat listing, before applicable tax Operator-dependent boat and site | snorkel; topside | Direct operator inquiry | Confirm whether equipment and flotation are included, and whether a non-swimmer may remain onboard. No permission to enter protected or advanced dive sites is implied. Price page. |
Fee
Per approved visit; verify current category, payment method and group eligibility
Only for activities entering the protected marine sector, not ordinary Coco local reef trips. ACG requires authorization with visitor/boat details, advance admission and site-specific restrictions; the booking portal says marine-sector payment is needed before reservation. A quoted dive may include this fee, but verify. Booking portal; fee display.
Once per applicable international air departure
The Tourism Board says most airline tickets include this tax. It is not an arrival visa fee or a dive permit. Official statement.
Operator price subject to change and availability
Reference price, not a guaranteed fare. The operator states tanks and weights are included; some bundles include gear and tax. 2026 operator pricing.
Conditional specialist excursion; no guaranteed date
Rocket Frog advertises included national park admission; other operator insurance, qualification, check-dive and minimum-group requirements can differ. Rocket Frog; Rich Coast terms.
Operator-dependent boat and site
Confirm whether equipment and flotation are included, and whether a non-swimmer may remain onboard. No permission to enter protected or advanced dive sites is implied. Price page.