Location
Costa Rica is around 12 hours direct flying time. Most liveaboards to Cocos depart from San Jose.
Lying some 300 miles south west of the main land, this remote scuba diving destination is a haven for local wildlife, both above the water and beneath it. Hammerheads are the star attraction here and we don't mean the odd one or two. Great swarming schools of scalloped hammers visit Cocos many cleaning stations to keep in top shape. White tips pass by in giant clouds and Galapagos sharks patrol the plateaus. Manta rays, mobula and eagle rays can all be spotted here, along with the occasional whale shark to feast on the upwelling currents.
Covid Travel Information
View entry requirements here
All travellers from any country will be admitted into Costa Rica as long as they meet the visa requirements. There are no COVID-19 related entry requirements for Costa Rica.
From 18th March, when you travel to England from abroad you:
do not need to take any COVID-19 tests before you travel or after you arrive
do not need to fill in a UK passenger locator form
do not need to quarantine when you arrive
This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.
It includes people who are transiting through England.
Updated 13SEP 2022
Weather and Climate
Costa Rica itself has an average temperature of 21 to 28. Due to its proximity to the equator, it has no real summer or winter. It does however have a rainy season from May to November - Cocos Islands experiences rain usually between July and September. The Pacific coast around Guanacaste, on the other hand is hot and dry, perfect for the many world-class beaches.
Travel
Flight options
Our holidays to Cocos can be quoted with most major airlines. Many flights route via the USA. Depending on your trip dates, you may be able to take the direct BA flight.
If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday.
If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to San Jose, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
Stopovers
Most flight options will route with a stop via the USA. Please ask your consultant if you would like to add a stopover en route
Arrange before you go
Visa requirements
UK passport holders are able to obtain a free 90 day tourist visa on arrival. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with immigration. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Insurance
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities.
We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation.
Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Immunisations
Your covid proof of vaccination must match your passport name and flight ticket name. Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on updating your NHS details or for other travel immunisations: click here
Preparing to fly
Seating
You will be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.
Check in
As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.
Lounge
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world.
click here
Parking
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think.
click here
What happens when I arrive?
On arrival to San Jose, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Depending on your first night arrangements, you will then either be met outside of arrivals by a representative (they will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it) or you will need to join the hotel airport shuttle.
If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers
Transfers in San Jose are usually either provided by your liveaboard, a private transfer or airport shuttle.
Departures
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally.
On leaving the Costa Rica there is an departure tax of approx $30 which must be paid in cash.
Info
Tipping
Since it is customary to tip crew members, many people ask the boat operators what tip amount is appropriate. This is a very personal decision, as tips are your way of expressing satisfaction. Generally the tip is given to the captain who distributes it equally amongst the crew. Please note that we do not dictate or include tips.
Currency
US dollars as well as Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted onboard Argo. Argo cannot accept personal checks or travelers checks onboard.
Phone coverage
Limited, only close to port.
Plugs and electricity
The vessels have both 110 and 220 volts ac. The cabins have 110 volts ac only. The vessels have standard US and European sockets (but not British style sockets).
Extras
Hire equipment
You can rent a complete line of ScubaPro dive gear: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, snorkel, 15l tanks and Aladin Nitrox dive computers. Please make sure to reserve any equipment well ahead of time.
Extras
Due to the possible increase in the cost of oil, based on events in the past few years, the Undersea Hunter Group reserves the right to charge a US$200.00 per person Fuel Surcharge. This fee will be effective in the event that the diesel price published by Costa Rica.
Soft drinks: Free, Bottle of wine: $15 - $35.
Hard liquor is not available on board but our guests are welcome to bring their own, which should be purchased prior to boarding.
Souvenirs
No souvenirs are included in the price, but there will be souvenirs available in the onboard boutique.
Nitrox/Gas
Nitrox is recommended onboard Argo. The vessel offers full onboard TDI training in Nitrox, with rental of Nitrox computers. Nitrox fills are free for Nitrox certified divers.
Payments
Deposits and Balances
Normally around £1500 deposit with full balance paid 90 days before departure.
Ways to pay
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. If you would like a pay by link to complete check out via email please let us know and it can be set up for you. We do not take AMEX.
All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 3% surcharge.
Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas bank transfers must add £8 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees.
We are not able to accept PayPal transactions or personal cheques.
Group Payments
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Discounts
Repeat Guests
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
5% off for repeat customers travelling with Scuba Travel within 24 months
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Included
Your package is based on a twin share cabin (full board including soft drinks).
All trips are fully guided with 12lt tank, weights and free nitrox. The Cocos Marine Park fees $554 must be prepaid and added to your holiday before travel.
During the trip an excursion will be made to the island
Transfers in San Jose are included from approved hotels
Excluded
This holiday excludes international flights to San Jose Costa Rica (SJO).
Please ask for a quote to overnight at one of the approved hotels, with which the boat work
To pay on board are additional drinks, kit hire, souvenirs - as of 11th July 2022, a $200pp fuel surcharge will be payable on board
The Argo has to be one of the most fantastic liveaboards. It also takes you to the most amazing place, Cocos Island. Cocos Island is somewhere that is very easy to fall in love, without even going underwater. Once you put your head under the sea you really will not want to leave. You have to give yourself a bit of a reality check when you come back from a dive and say that was a bit quiet, we only saw white tips on that dive. The problem with diving at Cocos is the number and variety of sharks. On our trip we had Hammerheads, Tiger, Galapagos, Silky, Black Tipped and White Tipped Sharks. Once you get used to seeing all the sharks, you start to notice all the other fish, and sometimes there were just too many fish to see all the sharks clearly. Argo splits the guests into two groups and the groups do not dive the same dive site at the same time. This meant it was never crowded on the dives. The liveaboards at Cocos also coordinate the diving between them so you do not see divers from o