Log This Dive

Los Sombréros

Los Sombréros, off Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, has a name that always makes us smile – a pair of volcanic pinnacles shaped like Mexican hats. It’s a great spot for an easy, colourful dive, with a maximum depth of 17m that keeps things relaxed. We often start on the shallower side, drifting around the ‘brim’ of one hat, spotting the usual suspects: schools of sand grunts hanging in the shadows, or a large-banded blenny peeking out from a crevice. What makes Sombréros stand out for us is the sheer number of puffers. Not just one or two, but spotted sharpnose puffers darting between the rocks, and occasionally a hedgehog puffer puffed right up, looking grumpy. It’s a dive that suits newer divers or anyone looking for a chilled-out afternoon exploring cracks and overhangs, keeping an eye out for a sleepy hawksbill turtle tucked away. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with devil rays during the season too, which always feels like a bonus. Visibility hovers around 11m, so it’s not always gin-clear, but that just adds to the intimate feel of working your way around these cool volcanic formations.