Cocos Island National Park

Parque Nacional Isla del Coco

A remote UNESCO World Heritage island far offshore, reachable only by multi-day liveaboard dive expeditions. It is legendary among divers for massive schools of hammerhead sharks in pristine open ocean.

Things to do

• Dive Bajo Alcyone — Descend to this legendary submerged seamount to witness enormous schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks circling in the current.
• Dive Dirty Rock — One of the park's premier sites, famous for hammerhead cleaning stations, whitetip reef sharks, and swirling schools of jacks.
• Explore Manuelita Island — Dive or snorkel around this small islet where whitetip reef sharks hunt in dramatic nighttime feeding frenzies.
• Dive Punta Maria — A deeper pinnacle offering encounters with pelagic species like tuna, sailfish, and occasional whale sharks.
• Spot marine megafauna at Isla Pajara — Watch for mobula rays, marbled rays, and manta rays gliding through nutrient-rich waters near this rocky outcrop.
• Visit Chatham Bay ranger station — Go ashore at Bahia Chatham to see historic carvings left by sailors on the rocks dating back centuries.
• Hike to Cascada waterfalls — With ranger permission, trek into the lush interior to see freshwater cascades pouring off the island's cloud-forested slopes.
• Night dive with whitetip sharks — Join a guided night dive to watch dozens of reef sharks swarming across the reef in a rare hunting spectacle.

Food to try

• Casado — The staple Costa Rican plate of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, and a protein, served aboard most liveaboards.
• Fresh ceviche — Chilled diced fish cured in lime juice with cilantro and onion, a refreshing between-dive snack on the boat.
• Gallo pinto — The classic Costa Rican breakfast of rice and beans cooked with Salsa Lizano, fueling early morning dives.
• Arroz con mariscos — A hearty seafood rice dish showcasing the region's shrimp, fish, and shellfish, common on liveaboard menus.
• Cafe de Costa Rica — Strong locally grown coffee served throughout the day to warm divers between cold-water descents.
• Agua dulce — A sweet hot drink made from melted tapa dulce (raw cane sugar), a traditional Costa Rican comfort beverage.

Local customs & good to know

• Access requires a permit and liveaboard — You cannot visit independently; the only legal way in is via an authorized multi-day dive expedition with park permits arranged.
• Strict no-take conservation rules — Fishing, collecting, and touching marine life or coral is prohibited to protect this UNESCO-listed pristine ecosystem.
• Embrace 'pura vida' — Costa Ricans use this phrase constantly as a greeting and philosophy of relaxed, positive living, so return it warmly to your crew.
• Prepare for full isolation — There is no cell signal, no shops, and no medical facilities, so pack all personal needs and respect the ranger station's remoteness.

Nearby

• Caño Island Biological Reserve — 499 km
• Santa Teresa (Guanacaste) — 503 km
• Corcovado National Park — 504 km
• Montezuma (Guanacaste) — 508 km