Treetop Resort
SOUTHERN PACIFIC
COSTA RICA
GENERAL INFORMATION>>>
General Information
Costa Rica General Info
Accommodations & Dining
What to bring
Volunteer Progam
JUNGLE & OCEAN ADVENTURES>>>
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Corcovado
Cano Island
Dolphins & Whales
Horseback Riding
Bird Watching
Sport Fishing
Kayaking
Hiking & Mountain Biking
RATES >>>
Room Rates
Tours & Activities
Rental Equipment
Transportation
Other Important Travel Info
LINKS >>>
drakebayresort.com
extremecostaricatours.com
Make Reservations Online
CONTACT >>>
EMAIL:
info@drakebayresort.com
Call (US) 1-310-748-6844
(CR) 011 506 786 8431
SEE THE BIG SITE
w/ lots of beautiful photographs and maps of Drake Bay
Flash Required
Call (US)
1-310-748-6844
in Costa Rica 011 506 844 7272
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Drake Bay, Cano Island and the surrounding waters offer world class scuba diving and snorkeling. Our neighboring dive center C.R.A.D. is currently the only PADI International Resort Association facility in the Drake Bay vicinity. C.R.A.D adheres to PADI's strict regulations regarding safety and quality of service offered. They are also members of the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) and are Diver Alert Network (DAN) sponsors. C.R.A.D. carries only well serviced name brand equipment from Sherwood and US Divers, as well as other top brands. The center offers a wide range of professional underwater services for the recreational scuba diver. Their PADI certified instructors teach courses ranging from basic open water to dive master and can conduct any specialty course of interest.
Cano Island offers the novice and experienced diver an excellent diving venue. The visibility here is excellent! It varies from site to site but averages 60 ft plus, making it the best in mainland Costa Rica. Water temperature ranges from the high 80's to the low 70's with thermoclines at varying depths. Diving in the waters here will bring you face to face with a wide variety of underwater marine lives. Glide through the water with a giant manta ray or observe the huge schools of barracuda, jacks and rays that frequent the area. If you are lucky you may even witness an awe-inspiring whale shark! All this makes Cano Island one of the best dive locations found anywhere on the entire pacific coast!
El Bag Del Diablo (The Depth of the Devil): The best site by far in the area and one of the best in the entire country- a huge area with many sub sites. Towering rock pinnacles rise from over 150 ft to just under 20 ft. the best visibility, overall fish life and the best place to encounter Giant Mantas. It is an incredible maze of peaks and valleys. Groupers, snappers and amberjack reaching 701b, swim along side great schools of tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and a large number of different tropical fishes. More than 4 species of eels can be found as well. Cueva Del Tiburon (Shark Cave): A small cave that is home to you guessed it, sharks! Other inhabitants include angels, butterfly, damsels and parrotfish, Moorish idols, puffers, sturgeon fish, and occasional mantas and stingrays. It is a very exciting dive.
Los Arcos (The Arches): Unique rock formations formed in the shape of arches. Swim through these towering underwater arches and see fish life similar to the Shark Cave due to its close proximity.
El Barco (The Wreck): No wreck here, only a variety of rock formations with the area's most plentiful hard corals. Fish life profuse and a great dive to encounter white tip reef sharks, stingrays, and an occasional sea turtle.
Scuba Diving Services and Instruction:
- 2-Tank Dive w/Lunch at Cano Island $110
- 3-Tank Dive w/Lunch a Cano Island $120
- Full Rental Equipment Package $20
Includes: BCD, regulator w/ computer, compass, depth gauge and SPG and 3mm wetsuit - Scuba Review Course $65
- Resort Course - Discover Scuba Diving $135
Includes: instruction, all equipment, and 2-tank dive at Cano Island - Open Water Complete Course - Drake Bay $280
Includes: instruction, all equipment, and all 4 dives at Drake Bay - Open Water Complete Course - Drake Bay/Cano Island $325
Includes: instruction, all equipment, 2 dives at Drake and 2 dives Cano Island - Referral Dives-Completion of Open Water Course from Referral Referral w/ equipment and 4 dives at Drake Bay $180
- Referral w/equipment, 2 dives Drake and 2 dives Cano Island $225
- Advanced Open Water Course $250
- Rescue Diver Course $325
- Divemaster Course $400
- Specialty Courses Inquire
Other Information:
The purchase of DAN (Divers Alert Network) Insurance is highly recommended prior to arriving in Costa Rica. Cost for basic coverage is inexpensive (around $35us) and is well worth the price if an unforeseen accident should occur.
Equipment Rental Rental:
The rental department uses only top quality Sherwood regulators, gauges, BCDs, masks, fins, and snorkels. All wet suits are Henderson 3-mm neoprene.
Tanks:
80 cu ft (12 liter) aluminum. All tanks are less than 1 year old and have current visual and hydrostatic tests. Tanks use regular K-valve (the main type used in the U.S. and throughout N. America). DIN compatible valves are not available at this time.
Safety:
Oxygen kit and 1st aid kit on board.
Compressor:
Top quality Bauer K-14.
Boats:
The boats are small and fast so you can have an even better experience, C.R.A.D. limits the number of divers on a boat to no more than 8, but usually keeps numbers on any particular boat from 4-6 divers.
Dive Staff:
A certified PADI Instructor or Dive Master guides all boat dives. All dive staff are Medic 1st Aid and Oxygen Provider Certified.
Exposure Protection Needed:
For most people, a 2-mm spring suit "shorty" will suffice. If you tend to get cold a full 2-mm or 3-mm suit will almost always do the job. The rental department stocks quality Henderson full 3-mm suits.
Corcovado
One of the few remaining virgin tropical lowland rain forests in the world, Corcovado national Park stands as a testament to the Costa Rican Government's commitment to protecting its majestic environment.
The tropical wet forests contained within its boundaries are widely considered to be the most species-rich in Central America. More than 500 species of trees, 400 species of birds, 150 species of reptiles/amphibians and 40 species of freshwater fish make Corcovado their home.
We offer guided day trips through Corcovado National Park. The tour begins with an early morning, 25-minute boat ride to the San Pedrillo ranger station- the northernmost station in the park. From here your guide will lead you into the park on one of the trails or streambeds that make access through the jungle possible. The black and green dart frogs while high overhead brighten the forest floor; the canopy is filled with troops of White-fronted Capuchin, Spider, and Howler Monkeys. Our knowledgeable guides will point out the dazzling flora and fauna unique to only this part of the world.
You will stop for lunch on one of the same black sand beaches where the sea turtles nest. The footprints from the jaguars' evening hunt spot the pristine silky shoreline. After lunch and few more hours of hiking and exploring this amazing area, you will be ready for a cool dip in an exotic rain forest waterfall. A late afternoon boat ride ends the exciting exploration of the park and returns you to TreeTop Resort.
Because of such diversity, national Geographic Magazine has crowned Corcovado national Park as on of "the most biologically intense places on Earth".
Several hundred miles of foot trails criss-cross the park making even some of its remote corners accessible to the adventurous soul. Here you can wake up to the calls of the Howler monkey and if you get lucky you might even catch a glimpse of a Jaguar, American Crocodile, Caiman or a Baird's Tapir with are critically endangered or absent in the rest of the country.
Cano Island
Mysterious Cano Island offers world class snorkeling, scuba diving and guided tours of the intriguing island. Not only do the waters surrounding Cano Island contain some of the most abundant and varied marine life in the world, but the island is also an important archaeological site. Indian graves are found all over the central plateau and archaeologists have unearthed mysterious stone spheres and other finely worked artifacts. The perfectly spherical stones are believed to have once marked the offshore burial ground and ceremonial site for the indigenous Diquis people. Another interesting fact about the island is that it has been struck by lightening more times than any other place on earth!
The snorkeling and scuba diving are unequaled here at Cano Island. Clouds of fish literally block the sun's rays in the clear warm water. Brightly colored tropical fish, shark, barracuda, manta rays, eels, porcupine fish, octopus and other marine species may be seen. There are 15 or more types of stony coral species as well as the attendant coral eaters (starfish, mollusks and hermit crab). The terrain varies widely and includes 20' reefs, 50' underwater pinnacles, canyons, walls and caves. Visibility is good to excellent all year round. Surface sightings include porpoises, sea turtles, whale sharks, sea snakes and humpback whales.
A guided day trip to Cano Island is truly a day to remember. An early morning departure from Treetop Resort takes you on a 45-minute boat ride to the island. The guide leads you hiking through primary jungle up to the site of the Indian graves on the central plateau. Along the way, notable defenses between the island and the mainland forest will be pointed out. By noon a picnic lunch is served on the beach. Following lunch you are at your leisure to swim, soak up the sun's rays; explore other parts of the island or snorkel among the coral and brightly colored reef fish. A late afternoon boat ride back to Treetop Resort ends the day of island exploration.
Dolphins & Whales
Our neighboring marine education center offers Eco-oriented swims with dolphins and whales in their natural habitat
The education center was formed to research and protect the dolphins, whales and other marine mammals in the Drake Bay, Costa Rica area. The tours combine the excitement of snorkeling with the awesome experience of interacting with the most intelligent marine mammals. During this once in a lifetime experience you have the chance to observe huge pods of dolphins, whales and other sea life in their natural aquatic environment. We often find ourselves surrounded by hundreds, many times thousands of Puntropic Spotted dolphins as they display amazing aerial behaviors such as jumping, spy hopping and leaping.
When it is safe and when the dolphins are willing, we will get into the water with them. If conditions do not permit or if the animals are not cooperating we can still enjoy watching them jump and play as they feed. We cannot guarantee interactions at any time since these animals are wild and free to come and go as they please. Though due to the large amounts of marine life in the area, chances are great of coming upon cooperative dolphins and whales.
Our three-quarter day trips will be spent out on the ocean observing the great amount of marine life on our warm waters. Lunch is served on board. These tours are incredible and just might change your life forever. We recommend this adventure for everyone! (Shorter trips also available).
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is a great way to explore deep into the primary jungle and along the pristine beaches by way of an extensive trail system. We offer various half and full day guided tours to accommodate all riders beginner to advanced. Explore beautiful waterfalls and secluded villages deep in the jungle or take a leisurely trip along the beach trail to "Rio Claro," a fresh water lagoon that we have found to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are sure you'll agree.
Bird Watching
Costa Rica is truly a bird watchers paradise with over 800 species of birds. The Drake Bay area and Corcovado National Park are especially rich, with numerous species of birds. The Scarlet Macaw, Chestnut-billed Toucan, Orange-Chinned Parakeet, Woodpecker & Trogon are all common here. The most abundant bird population in Costa Rica is found here with over 350 species of birds indigenous to this region. Our knowledgeable local nature guides offer their expertise throughout half and full day tours to ensure your bird watching experience is extremely memorable.
Sport Fishing
Sportfishing in our local waters is world class; this area is regarded by many to be the best in Costa Rica. Full day offshore fishing trips may find marlin, sailfish, Dorado, wahoo, and tuna; we often find yellowfin tuna in abundance here. Inshore we find Spanish mackerel, roosterfish, rainbow runner, cabrilla, snapper and jack to name a few. Our knowledgeable local captains provide excellent service and know where to find the fish. We run fully shaded Costa Rican style fiberglass pongas with Johnson/ Evinrude outboard motors We provide all rods, reels and tackle, unless you prefer to bring your own.
Kayaking
For the beginner to the expert, kayaking offers one of the most challenging and fulfilling ways to explore the surrounding beaches. Our half and full day guided tours offer a wide variety of opportunities to see the endless primary jungle lined beaches and small coves, some accessible by boat only, as well as river mouths and estuaries. For the more adventurous we offer open ocean dolphin trips, overnight beach camping trips by kayak, and beginner to expert kayak surfing trips available at various local surf spots.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
The hiking opportunities are virtually endless here. Short trips directly behind the resort will take you through mountainous primary jungle full of wildlife. Common sightings may include howler and white-faced monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws. There are no roads here so the trail system has become quite extensive circling the entire Osa Peninsula, also reaching deep into the primary jungle and through the entire Corcovado National Park. We offer many preplanned guided hikes to waterfalls and secluded beaches or we can recommend good hiking trails for you to explore on your own.
Guided Mountain Biking tours are available along many of these same trails.
Mountain Bike rentals are also available so you can head out on your own adventure.
EMAIL: info@drakebayresort.com Call (US) 1-310-748-6844 in Costa Rica 011 506 844 7272
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