Dive Review of Sirenas Diving/La Puerta del Sol Hotel in
Costa Rica/Guanacaste

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Sirenas Diving/La Puerta del Sol Hotel: "The Perfect Covid-Era Diving Escape", May, 2021, by Sandy Falen, KS, US ( Sr. Contributor 29 reports with 20 Helpful votes). Report 11713 has 2 Helpful votes.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	I spent six nights in Playa del Coco, and four days diving with Sirenas, in late May. It had been 18 months since I’d been in the water, and I was seeking a destination with both decent diving and reasonable Covid procedures. Costa Rica was a perfect choice. First of all, the Guanacaste region is easy to access, with nonstop flights from the US to Liberia (LIR). I rented a car and made the pleasant, 30 minute drive to Playa del Coco in the Guanacaste region. At that time, you could enter CR without a vaccine or a PCR test; the only requirement was a health declaration and insurance to cover your medical and/or hotel costs in the event of catching covid (both documents must be uploaded prior to travel). The insurance was inexpensive (I paid just under $40 through Trawick International), and I had no issues entering the country. Be aware that the rules are changing, so look for the latest requirements at www.visitcostarica.com. The water was blissfully warm and surprisingly clear. Costa Rica is not known for long-range vis, given the currents that sweep up from South America carrying lots of tasty plankton to feed the masses of schooling fish. Those same currents can be bracingly chilly, but the water temps averaged 80+ while I was there. I wore a 2-mil suit and was toasty warm. Prior to travel, I’d made my arrangements with Sirenas via email. The company specializes in small groups, which is what initially got my attention. They do both semi-private (four on a boat) and even private diving, if you are so inclined and willing to splurge. I was. There had been so few divers traveling at that time that I agreed to pay the private rate if no other divers came along to fill a four-diver boat. I wound up as a solo guest for two of my four days. I think I’ve been ruined. I’ve never had better service from any dive operation than what I enjoyed with Sirenas. Scott Jackson came to my hotel to introduce himself and to pick up my gear, and I met the boat at the beach the next morning. Three-tank days included two tanks followed by a generous and leisurely lunch on the boat, followed by an afternoon dive. There was no pressure to limit dive time, and most dives were at least an hour. Two-tank days are also an option. Nitrox is typically available and I had requested it, but Sirenas was not able to get it when I was there. As that could have been due to covid and demand for oxygen, I wasn’t about to complain. After my last day of diving, Sirenas rinsed and dried my gear, and returned it to my hotel the next afternoon. They could not possibly have made my stay easier or more pleasant. CR diving is quite different from the Caribbean, with cooler temps and very little coral. But you’ll stay endlessly entertained with the “fish tornadoes” (massive schools that from a distance look much like a tornado funnel), squadrons of puffer fish flying in formation, octopus oozing across the reef, seahorses swaying in the surge, eels undulating through the water, and schools of King Angels regally browsing for lunch. I spotted trumpet fish, arrow crabs, tons of sea urchins, juvenile angelfish, butterfly fish, moon wrasse, damsels, schooling spadefish, sharpnose puffers, white-spotted puffers, green morays, yellow-spotted morays, spotted snake eels, spotted stingrays, scorpion fish, eagle rays, and yes – dozens of whitetip reef sharks, which were seen on every dive. Octopus were a frequent sighting, sometimes hiding in their favorite hole, but frequently out “on the hunt,” or posing nicely on the reef. My only disappointment of the trip was the hotel. I’d previously stayed at La Puerta del Sol and loved it, and there is still much that I like about it. The room has everything you need, with a decent bed, plenty of hot water, mini-frig, coffee-maker, microwave, security safe, and a perfect location that’s a short walk to the beach for meeting the dive boat. Unfortunately, the hotel’s bar/restaurant played loud music endlessly, which made sitting on my patio impossible. The only escape was by staying in my room, which was unfortunate, as the grounds are lovely and the weather was pleasant. The hotel is within easy walking distance of shopping, ATMs, and restaurants. I made a grocery store run and stocked up on cold beer and snacks to keep in my room. I had one dinner at the hotel restaurant, and it was quite good, despite the overly loud music. The included breakfast was simple but good, and the service was always pleasant. My return flight left at 12:30pm, so I arrived at the airport before 10:00, in order to get my pre-departure covid test for returning to the US. They have a smooth system set up at LIR (a tent facility right next to the air terminal), with results emailed to you in less than an hour. I took the covid test before returning my rental car about a mile down the road. Shortly after getting back to the airport, my results arrived and I proceeded to check-in. Unfortunately, the options for dive travel without serious hassle are still quite limited. I found the procedures for Costa Rica to be reasonable, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I will certainly return, and although I’ll probably look for different accommodations, Sirenas will absolutely be my choice for diving.
Websites	Sirenas Diving La Puerta del Sol Hotel
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	Over 1000 dives
Where else diving	Most of the Caribbean, Turks & Caicos, Costa Rica, Palau, Sulawesi, Kosrae, Fiji, Raja Ampat
Closest Airport	Liberia (LIR)	Getting There	There are numerous flights from the US to Liberia, LIR. From there, it's an easy drive to the coast.
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm, surge
Water Temp	80-82°F / 27-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	2
Water Visibility	50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments

Report currently has 2 Helpful votes

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Dive Review of Sirenas Diving/La Puerta del Sol Hotel in Costa Rica/Guanacaste

Sirenas Diving/La Puerta del Sol Hotel: "The Perfect Covid-Era Diving Escape", May, 2021,

Photos Submitted with this Report

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Sirenas Diving/La Puerta del Sol Hotel in
Costa Rica/Guanacaste