Self-Discovery and Snorkeling on the Costa Rica Caribbean Coast: Finding myself again,” is what my friend Stephanie said about her snorkeling trip to the Caribbean. Stephanie is known to many in the Tamarindo area as the Asian girl with the husky named Niko. The recent loss of her beloved canine companion drove Stephanie to leave her home on a quest of healing and self-rediscovery.

Those who understand the bond so many of us have with our dogs will get what it means to have a loss that deep. Stephanie’s escape from Tamarindo took her to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica near Limón for three weeks of grief therapy that only the ocean could provide.

Immersion in the colorful, tranquil world
underwater is the perfect way to recharge
and reconnect with yourself.

After seeing some of the pictures Stephanie was sharing after her return, I wanted to showcase the beauty that exists beneath the surface on the Caribbean coast. She captured it so perfectly in her photos.

There is such an indescribable sense of freedom walking from the shore into the vibrant blue Caribbean water. The reef from Playa Cocles to Playa Chiquita is very close to shore in a shallow spot. It harbors many caves and a bounty of fish, langostinos, octopus and small colorful fish hiding in the rocks within.

Stephanie’s time was spent exploring under every rock, crevice and cave while catching fish and langostinos. Immersion in the colorful, tranquil world underwater is the perfect way to recharge and reconnect with yourself. There is very little sound to disturb or distract you, and the movement of the sea and its creatures is calming. It’s real freedom and serenity.

Living in this amazing country, we need to get out and explore. I recommend that Costa Rica’s Caribbean area should be on everyone’s must-do list. It’s a trek from Tamarindo, for sure, but as you can see, well worth the excursion. The best times of year for snorkeling in the Caribbean are March/April and September/October. Rainy season does not occur there during those months, so the underwater clarity is best.