Dive the Americas

28/11/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from (most of) our team! 🍁🦃 This year has been an incredible journey, and we’re so grateful for all the adventures, memories, and amazing clients who made it unforgettable. Here’s to even more exciting travels ahead! 🌍✨ From our hearts—and the breathtaking Arenal Volcano—to yours, thank you for being part of our story. ❤️

25/09/2024

One of our Founders, Melanie Marsell, explains why booking with a travel advisor can actually end up saving you money 👇

“Many modern travel advisers charge the same prices as if you booked everything yourself, so using one doesn’t cost you any extra,” explained *Melanie Marsell*, co-founder of boutique travel company Dive the Americas.

"When an agent has a good relationship with a hotel or tour provider, they often get access to the best deals, which can mean even lower rates than what’s available online,” Marsell said.

Agencies, she explained, are also likely to offer perks like room upgrades, resort credits, free breakfast, local tips, packing lists, 24/7 in-country assistance and even payment plans, giving you more value for your money.

Thank you, HuffPost and Nicole Pajer for the feature!

These suggestions may sound wise, but they're actually preventing you from getting the most out of your vacation.

15/09/2024

This weekend is all about celebrations, including Costa Rican Independence Day! 🇨🇷✨ Throwback to when our co-founder Kathleen proudly represented Costa Rica in the Galapagos! 🌍

10/09/2024

👋 Hi everyone! We’re so excited to introduce Katie Papac - our new Ocean Travel Specialist!

Originally from Los Angeles, Katie’s passion for travel ignited with a trip to Thailand in 2018. She soon earned her open water certification in Costa Rica and has been climbing the ranks ever since. Now a rescue diver, drysuit repair tech, and PSI-certified tank inspector, Katie dreams of owning a place in Costa Rica one day.

🌴 She will be crafting amazing scuba diving vacations across Latin America, including Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica/Cocos Island, Panama, Colombia, and the Ecuador/Galapagos- and more amazing spots coming soon!

Let's give her a warm welcome in the comments below! 🐙🌞

06/09/2024

🚨Deal Alert ✨Last Minute Special available for Galapagos 8-day, 7-night liveaboard adventure on the luxury Galaxy Diver 2 from November 13-20. Experience world-class diving for just $4350, including free flights from Ecuador mainland (a $500 value). Normally priced at $6765 + flights, this is a deal you won’t find elsewhere, limited spots available. DM us today to save your spot! 🛥️⚓️🦈

13/06/2024

Hi everyone 👋

Melanie and Kathleen here with some exciting news—our team is growing! We’re looking for an 'Ocean Travel Advisor' to join our team and craft epic scuba adventures throughout Latin America. If you love the ocean, have dive experience in Latin America, and have a sales background, this is your dream job! 💙✨

Check out the link below for the full for the full job description. DM us with any questions and apply today!

https://divetheamericas.com/careers

04/06/2024

For the next 48 hours only, get $500 off our epic Costa Rica Dive & Surf retreat this July!

Get ready for a transformative journey that will bring you the thrill of surfing and the magic of diving in one of the most stunning natural gems in the Southern Pacific of Costa Rica, Uvita. 🇨🇷
We’ll be diving in 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐂𝐚ń𝐨, a stunning biological preserve, and it's open for all levels of divers (non-certified and certified) and all levels of surfers!

We’re creating a space for women to connect through a love of the sea 🌊

Click here to book your space or learn more:

https://www.aweekawake.com/products/surf-dive-retreat

03/04/2024

Did you know we have a newsletter dedicated to all the must-know travel hacks and hidden gems around the country?! Here's a preview of the kinds of tips we send for FREE to our subscribers...

Costa Rica might look small on a map, but you can drive 30 minutes in any direction and be in a completely different ecosystem. Deciding where to go, how to get there, and what not to miss along the way can be daunting!

Don’t worry — that’s what we’re here for 😉

Here are the best tips for routes from San Jose to popular destinations around the country. Save this cheat sheet for later!

🌋 San Jose to Arenal Volcano:

Travel Time: 3-4 hours
Routes: San Miguel or San Ramon
Pro Tip: If you arrive before 11 am, take the San Miguel route and stop at La Paz Waterfall Gardens for one of the best lunch buffets in the country, stunning waterfalls, and wildlife. La Paz is a great welcome to Costa Rica — and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica!

🌿 San Jose to Monteverde:

Travel Time: 2-3 hours
Tip: Make a pit stop at the Orotina fruit stands to grab some exotic tropical fruits for the car ride. You’ll find them right on the highway about an hour outside San Jose.

🏖️ San Jose to Manuel Antonio National Park:

Travel Time: 3-4 hours
Tip: Everyone knows to stop at the Crocodile Bridge in Tarcoles to see massive crocodiles sunbathing in the river below, but we always recommend an extra stop at Playa Hermosa for a beachfront lunch at Bowie's Point or Vida Hermosa. Some of the best surfers in the world come to surf this break, so it's lunch + a show!

🐢 San Jose to Tortuguero National Park:

Travel Time: 4-5 hours (plus boat transfer)
Tip: Opt for a local flight to save time and fully enjoy Tortuguero's beauty by boat when you arrive. The flight usually costs around $120 per person, but it’s well worth it for the hours of time you’ll save!

🏄‍♂️ San Jose to Tamarindo:

Travel Time: 4-5 hours
Tip: Prepare for toll booths along the way. Private transfers will typically include toll costs. Flying into Liberia is ideal if your first destination is the north Pacific coast. Domestic flights are also available from SJO to Tamarindo/Liberia that can save you a lot of travel time!

🌴 San Jose to Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Coast):

Travel Time: 5-6 hours
Tip: Consider a quick 40-minute flight to Limon for a smoother journey. The road between San Jose and Puerto Viejo often has delays due to construction, and it is not a route we recommend driving at night.

🛳️ San Jose to Santa Teresa:

Travel Time: 4.5 hours (plus ferry transfer)
Tip: While there are other routes, we suggest opting for the ferry for the quickest and most enjoyable crossing. The ferry is also a nice way to break up the journey! You can pre-purchase tickets online here: https://www.quickpaycr.com/

PRO TIP: Look for Delta Gas Stations are usually reliable and tend to have clean bathrooms for pit stops!

If you're interested in more tips like these, join our community of 3000+ subscribers planning epic trips to Costa Rica here: https://forms.gle/LXJMqY5ok5iGeqQY6

P.S. Flying into Liberia? ✈️ COMMENT on this post if you want our top tips for routes from Liberia!

07/03/2024

Better late than never, right? We're thrilled to make it Facebook Official and introduce our incredible team member, Vanessa Nichols! 🌟

Although she's been part of our family for a few months now, the hustle and bustle of high season swept us off our feet before we could properly shout it from the rooftops.

Vanessa Valenziano Nichols is our Land-Based Costa Rica Specialist 🇨🇷, with an impressive track record of crafting over 3500 unforgettable vacations. With her extensive firsthand experience living and traveling this stunning country, Vanessa brings a unique perspective and insider knowledge to every itinerary.

But Vanessa is more than just a travel guru. She's a beacon of positivity, a devoted mother, and a steadfast friend, spreading joy wherever she goes. So, let's give Vanessa the warmest of welcomes as she officially steps into the limelight. 🤗

Reach out to her for all your Costa Rica travel dreams – she's here to make them a reality! [email protected] or call her at 800-266-4772 📞