Most of the beach hotels in northern Guanacaste face the Gulf of Papagayo. From the sand the water looks calm and blue, and it is natural to wonder whether there is anything to see under it. There is. A short boat ride away, around Playa Huevos on the Papagayo Peninsula, the coast breaks into small protected bays with rocky reefs close to the surface.
- Where
- Bays around Playa Huevos, Papagayo Peninsula
- Level
- Beginners welcome, life jackets and floats on board
- Duration
- About 4 hours, pickup to drop-off
- Best water
- Dry season, December to April
- Our price
- $550 per boat for up to 6 people
Where you snorkel
Playa Huevos is a half-moon beach on the Papagayo Peninsula that is easiest to reach by boat. The bays around it are sheltered from the open ocean, so the water is usually calm, and the reefs are shallow enough that you see the fish from the surface without diving down.
That matters if some people in your group have never snorkeled. You float, look down and breathe through the snorkel. There is no need to be a strong swimmer, and life jackets and floats make it easy for children and for anyone who is nervous in the water.
What you can see
Expect schools of tropical fish moving over the rocks, and keep your eyes open for sea turtles, which are a common sight in these bays. In season you may also see dolphins and whales from the boat on the way out.
The sea is wild, so no one can promise a specific animal on a specific day. What we can tell you is that the reefs around Playa Huevos are full of life on most mornings, and your guide swims with the group to point things out.
Best time of year
You can snorkel in Papagayo all year, but the water is usually clearest in the dry season, from December to April. In the green season, heavy rain carries sediment from the rivers to the coast and visibility drops for a few days after a storm.
The time of day matters too. We go in the morning or the afternoon, and we choose with you depending on the weather and the sea that day.
How a private boat works
With a private boat you do not drive to a marina or share the deck with strangers. The captain and a bilingual guide pick you up right on the beach by your hotel, anywhere in the Papagayo area, and also in Flamingo, Conchal, Las Catalinas and Tamarindo.
The price is for the whole boat, not per person: $550 covers up to 6 people, each extra person is $50, and the boat takes up to 10. For a family or a group of friends, that is often simpler than paying per head on a shared tour. The trip takes about 4 hours from pickup to drop-off, with snacks and cold drinks on board, and you can add a BBQ lunch if you want a longer day.
What to bring
- Swimsuit and a towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- A waterproof camera if you have one
- Cash for tips
Masks, snorkels, fins, life jackets, floats, snacks and drinks are already on the boat.
Questions
Do I need to know how to swim to snorkel at Playa Huevos?
No. Life jackets and floats are included, and your guide stays with you in the water.
Is snorkeling in Papagayo good for kids?
Yes. Children snorkel with a life jacket or a float, close to their parents and the guide.
Will we see sea turtles?
Sea turtles are a common sight in the bays around Playa Huevos, but wildlife is never guaranteed. You will see tropical fish over the reefs on most days.
Where do you pick us up?
On the beach by your hotel, anywhere in the Papagayo area, and also in Flamingo, Conchal, Las Catalinas and Tamarindo.
Can we add lunch?
Yes, a BBQ lunch can be added to the snorkeling tour. Ask us for the price.
Carlos runs Blue Sky Private Tours, a 100% Costa Rican company based in Liberia, Guanacaste. For more than 10 years his team has guided private tours from the beach hotels to the rivers, volcanoes and reefs of the region.
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