Rio Lajas
Protected Area
Cabo Blanco
Why dive here
With 217+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, orcas, sea turtles and pufferfish - Rio Lajas offers some of Caribbean Coast's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest March, April, May.
Rio Lajas is a different kind of dive for Costa Rica's Caribbean. It’s a 30-minute boat ride from La Pescadería, and we're talking about a site right at a river mouth. This means the visibility can be a bit challenging, averaging around 4m, so keep your guide close. The bottom is mostly sand, which makes it an excellent spot to really hone your buoyancy control. Don't expect dramatic reefscapes here; instead, keep an eye out for the unusual residents like the Roughbar Frogfish, Oval Flounder, or a Smooth Stargazer peeking out. It's not a site for big pelagics, but if you enjoy macro life and appreciate the quieter, often overlooked species, Rio Lajas offers something genuinely unique.
Nearest Dive Centres to Rio Lajas
Dive shops near Rio Lajas
Ananda DNF S.A.
Dive Costa Rica
Okeanos Aggressor II
Cocos Island Aggressor
Reviews for Rio Lajas
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Rio Lajas
Rio Lajas Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Rio Lajas, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (9.78, -84.89) (48km away)
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)
Plan & book
Ways to dive Caribbean Coast, from day trips to liveaboards.
Day trips & courses
via GetYourGuideGuided dives, courses and snorkel trips with instant booking.
Find dive trips in Caribbean CoastPlaces to stay
via Booking.comHotels and dive resorts near Caribbean Coast.
Search stays in Caribbean CoastDive insurance
Most travel insurance excludes or limits scuba. Check what you need before you go.
Dive insurance explainedPartner links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. How we make money
Where to Stay near Rio Lajas
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.