Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
    Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste

    Chiliguaro

    Good diving all year

    Protected Area

    Marino las Baulas de Guanacaste

    Why dive here

    With 217+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and pufferfish - Chiliguaro offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest March, April, May.

    Best timeYear-round
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeDolphins, Humpback Whales, Orcas, Sea Turtles and Pufferfish · 217+ species recorded
    Water29-31°C · warmest March, April, May
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Chiliguaro feels like a secret handshake among macro lovers. Tucked away on the peninsula between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa, it’s a site we always recommend to photographers or anyone who just enjoys slowing right down. Drop in, and you’re immediately enveloped by these ancient-looking rocky formations, riddled with crevices and overhangs. It’s here, in these shadowy nooks, that you’ll find the real action. We’ve spent whole dives mesmerised by the antics of the Fishgod Blenny, bobbing and weaving from its tiny bolt hole, or the surprisingly vibrant Stripy moving with purpose across the rock face. Visibility usually averages around 8 metres, which, for a macro site, is absolutely fine – you’re not here for sweeping vistas. This is a place to get nose-to-lens with the likes of the Gaudy Frog shell, often tucked away, or a well-camouflaged Speckled Scorpionfish. Keep an eye out for resting sharks in the deeper sand patches, and we’ve often encountered turtles cruising past, seemingly unfazed by our presence. It’s a shallow site, topping out at 12 metres, meaning plenty of bottom time to really scour every inch. We’d suggest going early in the morning before any wind picks up, which can sometimes stir the sand and reduce visibility further. If you’re into the small stuff, Chiliguaro is our pick for a genuinely rewarding dive.

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Chiliguaro

    Chiliguaro Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Chiliguaro, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (9.78, -84.89) (48km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    29°C

    85°F · Range: 27.9–31.1°C

    Current Speed

    5 cm/s

    Direction: N (0°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.142 mg/m³

    Clear water

    Salinity

    28.81 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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