ANAMAYA: Scuba Certification
Costa Rica is known as a hotbed for surfing, yoga and eco-tourism, but did you know that many people travel here to obtain their Scuba Diving Certification? At Anamaya Resort we offer our guests a week-long retreat that includes delicious organic meals, beautiful accommodations with incredible views, a circus peformance, optional yoga class and spa services and your CMAS scuba certification training!
Anamaya Resort is a retreat center located in the charming beach town of Montezuma, Costa Rica. Montezuma is known for it’s natural beauty, bohemian vibe, and epic waterfalls and beaches. It’s also located in one of the world’s Blue Zone areas, where people live the longest and the happiest. Once you visit you’ll know why!
All of our weekly retreats run from Saturday to Saturday. Please visit our Calendar for more information.
The CMAS 1-Star SCUBA Certification Program
Through our friends at Isla Tortuga Dive Club we use the CMAS International Diver Training Certification System to certify new divers. Isla Tortuga Dive Club is the only CMAS Diving Center in Costar Rica. Although not as well known as PADI, CMAS is the original Scuba training program, founded by Jaques Cousteau himself. CMAS certifications are equal or better than PADI, and are recognized by all scuba diving companies around the world.
Michele Bosari is the course Instructor, and he is an Italian Professional Level Instructor / 2-star CMAS Instructor / Handicapped SCUBA Association SA Instructor, with more than 20 years of experience in this area. We think this program is the best in Costa Rica, for several reasons:
- The CMAS course is the equivalent to PADI’s Advanced Open Water Diver Certification, so at the entry level the CMAS course is much more comprehensive than PADI’s basic “Open Water Diver” certification.
- Because we’re in a bay, the water is among the warmest in Costa Rica, making it a very comfortable place for your first ocean dives.
- The water here is sometimes a bit cloudier than Costa Rica’s best dive spots in other areas, which is great for a training. Divers who do their certification course in conditions of perfect visibility tend to PANIC when they dive in low-visibility waters for the first time. So with us, you will be very well prepared as a new diver.
- The Instructors are extremely calm and experienced. They’re proud that in over 20 years and thousands of students, they’ve never had an accident.
- The price is $700 + taxes per person added to the base rate (or $1200 for two people).
This course includes 5 classes in the pool, 4 or 5 dives, CMAS International license, a manual, transport, food and natural juices during the dives, and Dive DAN Insurance.
This program does an amazing job of preparing our guests for different types of dives they may do in the future. For more information on the program, please visit the CMAS website
SCUBA DIVING IN MONTEZUMA
We work with a local company called the Isla Tortuga Dive Club. This crew is a professional and fun group consisting of a CMAS Dive Captains, CMAS Guides, and a Marine Biologist. They are passionate about Costa Rica, diving, and discovery. Here’s a couple examples of what people are saying about our Instructors:
Yoga at Anamaya
While doing the Scuba Certification you can add up to 10 yoga classes throughout the week depending on your diving schedule . Yoga is a fantastic accompaniment to your scuba diving training as it will improve your air consumption and enhance your swimming technique, among many additional benefits.
We practice an energizing flow 6 mornings before breakfast on our main yoga deck overlooking 270 degrees of epic ocean and coastline views. Then in the early evening just before sunset we hold 4 more relaxing and restorative type classes on our lower deck.
WEEKLY DIVING SCHEDULE SAMPLE
The following is a basic idea of how/when the training will take place. This is only a sample and the schedule will vary depending on the people taking the course. Some people may require more dives in the pool before the instructors are confident they’re ready for the ocean. You will never be pushed into doing something you’re not ready and confident to do. Our head instructor, Michele, is proud that in 20+ years of diving instruction, he’s never had an accident.
Sunday: 2pm-4pm – 2 Pool Dives
Monday: 10am-12pm – 2 Pool Dives
Tuesday: 2-4pm – 2 Beach Dives at Playa Las Manchas
Wednesday: Day Off
Thursday: 10am-4pm – 2 Deep Ocean Dives and Boat Trip – Includes Lunch
Friday*: 10am-12pm – 1 Beach Dive
*PLEASE NOTE: You can NOT fly on an airplane the day after a deep dive. Since many of our guests fly on Saturday, we typically don’t schedule a deep dive on Friday.
SCUBA DIVING IN MONTEZUMA
Montezuma, Costa Rica isn’t a popular dive spot among experienced divers, but it’s a fantastic place to learn to become a confident diver. The water may not be crystal clear, but our waters are host to a large variety of cool creatures like whales, dolphins, turtles, octopus and many fish. For more information about Scuba Diving in Montezuma and this corner of the world, please visit Montezumabeach.com.
FAQS ABOUT DIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Usually 5 pool dives and 5 ocean dives. It’s a 5 day program but sometimes can be done in 4 if the student is really comfortable in the water.
Yes, the CMAS program is very thorough. You’ll be learning various potentially life-saving skills such as what to do if you run out of air (how to share with your buddy), what to do if you lose your breather (good techniques for grabbing your spare) etc. These skills are done repeatedly in the pool and then later in the sea.
PADI is the most common certification standard but there are more than 10 different ones. All PADI dive centers recognize the CMAS certification program, so you never have to worry that you can’t dive with a different scuba outfitter.
Many people bring their own GoPro, but you will not be allowed to use it until the last 2-3 dives, because it can be distracting to the skills you need to be learning.
Here we very rarely see the very docile white tipped reef shark, which grows up to 6ft or so. We’re unlikely to see one because they tend to sleep during the day and hunt at night. There are caves we know about that we can usually find them if you’re eager to have your first close encounter.
WHAT SEA CREATURES WILL WE SEE?
We’re on the Pacific Coast in the tropical zone, so we have a huge variety of fish and other sea life here.
Nearly Guaranteed: Puffer Fish in various colors, Moray Eels, Snappers and Jackfish, Lobsters, Starfish, Parrotfish, and the highly camouflaged and venomous stonfish/scorpionfish.
Good Chance to See: Boxfish, Stingrays, Manta Ray, Sea Turtles, Octopus, Jellyfish.
Very Lucky to See: Seahorses, Nudibranch, Spanish Dancer.
From July through January, we’ll probably also see dolphins and whales from the boat.
THE ANAMAYA VIBE
Anamaya Resort opened in December of 2009 and we have attracted a group of like-minded guests who are into health, wellness and adventure. A week with us is nothing less than transformative. Our mission is to create an environment where our guests will connect with nature, connect with other people from around the world, and connect with themselves.
Our staff treat our guests like family, our healthy farm-to-table food is prepared with love, and many of our guests become life long friends. See what some of our guests are saying about us:
