Gulf of Papagayo and Playas del Coco

For scuba: match sites to certification and recent experience, review local conditions on the boat, use a computer and SMB, set conservative limits, and confirm first-aid oxygen, emergency planning, communications and weather cancellation policy. Sorpresa and Bat Islands are not beginner defaults. For freediving: always use a trained rescue buddy/instructor with one-up-one-down coverage and no hyperventilation. For snorkeling: stay in sight of the guide, avoid active boat routes and do not force rough-water entries. Never combine scuba and deep breath-hold diving without suitable interval and operator guidance. DAN suggests at least 12 hours before flying after one no-decompression dive and at least 18 hours after repeated/multiple-day diving, with longer intervals for certain technical profiles. These are minimums, not zero-risk guarantees. DAN flying guidance; freediving safety.

Call Costa Rica 9-1-1 for immediate emergency response. Have an injured diver examined at the nearest appropriate emergency facility; possible decompression illness should not be managed by driving independently toward an unverified chamber. The public Hospital Dr. Enrique Baltodano Briceno in Liberia is listed by Costa Rica's national health system, but its current dive-medicine, hyperbaric capability and response times were not established by this research. After local emergency services are engaged, DAN provides 24/7 dive medical support at +1-919-684-9111 and can discuss appropriate evacuation. Check the operator's offshore oxygen, emergency communications and route before a Bat trip. 9-1-1; Liberia hospital listing; chamber warning; DAN hotline.

ACG prohibits fishing, collecting marine organisms, taking corals, plants, rocks or artifacts in the protected Sector Marino, and limits diving to Gran Susto, Los Arcos and Bajo Negro with approved boat access. Its listed anchoring area is by the Isla San Jose research station; do not anchor elsewhere without authorization. Across local reefs, avoid contacting fire coral or living coral, feeding sharks/rays/fish, crowding wildlife or leaving litter. Scientific water-quality studies report differences across the gulf and concerns around Culebra Bay, so neither glossy resort descriptions nor old blue-flag claims substitute for live water-quality advice. Recent coral stress research supports a careful, non-contact visitor approach. binding park rules; water quality research; coral study.