Why I Chose To Do My Divemaster in Costa Rica
While I was doing my advanced open water certification in Marsa Alam, Egypt I realized that scuba diving is something I could imagine myself doing a lot more than just on holidays.
At this point I was already so fed up with my day job that I was thinking about quitting on a regular basis. So I started to fantasise about working as a dive instructor. This is when I was starting to talk to people who worked as dive guides and instructors at this dive resort to gather more information about working in the diving industry.
For me it didn’t matter where I was going for my training, as long as it was warm and had amazing marine wildlife. Considering advise and recommendations from friends I settled on Costa Rica.
Why Do A Divemaster At All
During my open water training in 2024 I realised that scuba diving is something that has been missing from my life without even knowing it. Then a year later during my advanced training I decided that I wanted to go professional and work in the dive industry. The divemaster training gives you confidence and skills that you don’t get with your basic scuba diving training. It’s also your entry into working in scuba diving. After that you can get your dive instructor training and teach a lot of speciality courses.
This post is for everyone who thinks about going pro too and is considering doing the course in Costa Rica as well.
The Options I Considered
Before booking anything, I made a shortlist. Going pro is a big investment of time and money, so I wanted to compare places properly instead of picking the first one that popped up on Instagram.
Bali, Indonesia: Wrecks, macro life and Nusa Penida’s mola mola in season. Bali offered great variety, but currents can be tricky and dive spots are spread across the island, so the choice of base matters a lot.
Koh Tao, Thailand: The divemaster capital of the world. Koh Tao is cheap, warm and calm, with schools on every corner. But it’s also crowded, and the marine life is more “pleasant” than “wow.”
Marsa Alam, Egypt: Clear water, healthy reefs and a real chance of dugongs and dolphins. Since I’ve already dived in Egypt, I know how good the Red Sea is. It’s quiet and resort-based though, which didn’t fit the community feel I wanted.
Australia: The Great Barrier Reef, with professional operators and high safety standards. Unfortunately, the price tag (even in a backpacker city like Cairns) was hard to justify for a course that already costs a lot.
Each of them was tempting. But none ticked every box, until I took a closer look at Costa Rica.
Why Costa Rica Won
1. It feels safe for a solo female traveler
As a solo female traveler, I don’t treat safety as a bonus, it’s the foundation. Costa Rica consistently ranks among the safest countries in Latin America for solo women, and it has well-developed tourism infrastructure. When I’m spending weeks in one place, that peace of mind lets me focus on learning instead of worrying.
2. The Marine Life
Costa Rica’s Pacific side offers big encounters: bull sharks at the Bat Islands, rays and, with the right timing, mantas, plus turtles and even humpback whales in season. It’s the kind of diving that keeps you excited for every dive, not just the first few.
3. Real conditions make better divers
Currents, changing visibility and cooler upwellings aren’t always comfortable, but they teach you fast. A divemaster has to guide and problem-solve in less-than-perfect conditions, so I wanted training that reflected that.
4. There’s life beyond the water
On surface intervals and days off, you have rainforest hikes, surfing, waterfalls and wildlife spotting. I can’t wait to see sloths, white bats, capybaras and so many other animals that call Costa Rica their home. Divemaster training is intense, and having a beautiful place to recharge made a real difference in my decision.
5. The practical side won
Costa Rica is easy to reach, English is widely spoken in tourist areas, and prices sit somewhere between Asia and Australia. I pay 1000 US-Dollars for three month plus 400 Dollars each month for rent. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but it offered the best balance of safety, quality and experience. Plus with this dive shop I could choose the duration of my stay. By staying for three months I get more training plus more speciality courses.
Costa Rica worked for me, but it’s not the best divemaster destination for everyone. Here’s how it stacks up against three other popular options.
How I Chose My Dive Shop
Picking the country was only half the decision. The dive shop is where you’ll spend most of your time, so I treated choosing one like a job interview, with me as the one hiring.
What I Looked For:
- Safety first. Well-maintained gear, proper briefings, emergency plans and instructors who don’t rush. After a dive shop experience that left me uneasy (I wrote about it in [my post on trusting your gut underwater]), I’m not willing to compromise on this anymore.
- Recent, honest reviews. I read the 3- and 4-star reviews first, because they usually reveal the most. I also looked for reviews from solo women.
- Transparent pricing. I wanted to know exactly what’s included: materials, certification fees, accommodation, boat dives and any extras.
- Communication before booking. How fast and how clearly a shop replies to your emails says a lot about how they’ll treat you on site.
- Gut feeling. Sometimes everything looks perfect on paper but something feels off. I trust that instinct.
Is Costa Rica Right for You? (Quick Checklist)
Choose Costa Rica if you want:
- A safe, well-organized country that’s easy to travel solo
- Big marine life (sharks, rays, mantas, turtles, humpbacks in season) rather than just colorful reef
- Training in real-world conditions like currents and variable visibility, which makes you a stronger diver
- Rainforest, surfing and wildlife on your days off
Choose Koh Tao (Thailand) if you want:
Koh Tao is the classic divemaster factory. It’s cheap, warm, calm and packed with dive schools, so you’ll find a huge community of trainees and instructors. The trade-off is crowds, a party-heavy backpacker scene and less dramatic marine life. It’s ideal if budget and a big social circle matter most.
Check out my blogpost about the best and cheaptest dive destinations for backpackers.
Choose Bali (Indonesia) if you want:
Bali offers variety: the USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben, drift dives in Amed and Nusa Penida (with mola mola in season). It’s a great pick if you love wrecks and macro life and want a strong café, yoga and remote-work scene around your training. Just know that currents can be strong and dive shops are more spread out across the island, so you’ll need to choose your base carefully.
Choose Marsa Alam (Egypt) if you want:
The Red Sea has excellent visibility, warm water and reefs known for dugongs, dolphins and offshore sites like Elphinstone or Dolphin Houes. Marsa Alam is quieter and more resort-based than Koh Tao, so you get less of a backpacker scene but more of a focused dive-training vibe. It’s a strong option if you want calm, clear conditions, though the setting is more isolated. Solo female travelers should read my Egypt safety post first.
Choose Australia if you want:
Australia, especially Cairns and Port Douglas, is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll train on one of the world’s most famous reef systems, with turtles, reef sharks, rays and a huge variety of hard coral. Dive operations are highly professional, safety standards are excellent and English is the working language, which helps if you want to go on to instructor training. The trade-off is cost: courses, accommodation and daily life are noticeably more expensive than in Asia or Central America. Many divemaster programs also run on liveaboards or day boats, so your days are structured around the boat schedule. And if you plan to stay long-term, check visa options like the Working Holiday visa early. It’s a great pick if you want a reputable, well-regulated setting and don’t mind paying more for it.
Want to know more about scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef? Check out my Australia scuba diving guide.
Bottom line is: If you want the cheapest, most social route, go to Koh Tao. For wrecks and variety, pick Bali. For clear, calm Red Sea diving, Marsa Alam is your spot. If the Great Barrier Reef and top-tier professional standards are your priority, choose Australia. If safety, big marine life and adventure beyond the water matter most to you, Costa Rica is hard to beat.
How I Chose My Dive Shop
Picking the country was only half the decision. The dive shop is where you’ll spend most of your time, so I wanted to make sure that I will feel safe and at home there.
What I Looked For In A Diveshop For My Divemaster
- Safety first. Well-maintained gear, proper briefings, emergency plans and instructors who don’t rush. After a dive shop experience that left me uneasy (I wrote about it in [my post on trusting your gut underwater]), I’m not willing to compromise on this anymore.
- Small groups and instructor ratios. For a divemaster course, you need real mentoring, not a place where you’re just another name on the boat list.
- Recent, honest reviews. I read the 3- and 4-star reviews first, because they usually reveal the most. I also looked for reviews from solo women.
- Transparent pricing. I wanted to know exactly what’s included: materials, certification fees, accommodation, boat dives and any extras.
- Communication before booking. How fast and how clearly a shop replies to your emails says a lot about how they’ll treat you on site.
- Gut feeling. Sometimes everything looks perfect on paper but something feels off. I trust that instinct.
- Talking to people who have been there. This is not the case for everyone but a friend of a friend did their divemaster in Costa Rica so I asked them about the diveshop and their reccomendations. If you don’t know anyone who did this, don’t worry. Check the diveshops social media account and often they tag their crew. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them.
My pick: Rich Coast Diving in Playas del Coco. Everything I have read about them online and heard about them from other divemasters sounded exactly like the place I have been looking for.
If you’re doing the same research, my guide on how to vet a dive shop as a solo female traveler, including red and green flags walks you through the full checklist.
What I’m Most Excited (and Nervous) About
To be honest, I am equally thrilled and terrified.
What I’m Excited About:
- Finally going from “diver who enjoys the ocean” to someone who can guide others through it
- Learning skills that make me a calmer, more confident diver
- Diving with big marine life in a place I’ve wanted to explore for a long time
- Meeting other people who love the ocean as much as I do, and the chance to be around a community of divers again
What Makes Me Nervous:
- Being a beginner again. After years of traveling and diving, it’s humbling to be back in the “learning” seat.
- The physical side. Divemaster training involves swimming tests, rescue scenarios and long days of carrying gear. It’s demanding, and I want to do it properly.
- Performing under pressure. Demonstrating skills while other people watch is a different kind of challenge than just enjoying a dive.
I’ll be sharing the whole journey here, the good days and the tough ones, so if you’re thinking about going pro yourself, you’ll get an honest look at what it’s really like.
Final Thoughts
Choosing where to do my divemaster wasn’t just a question of price or popularity. It was about finding the place that matched what I wanted most: safety, real marine life, challenging conditions and a country I’d enjoy living in for weeks.
Koh Tao, Bali, Marsa Alam and Australia are all fantastic options, and depending on what you value, any of them could be your perfect fit. For me, Costa Rica hit the best balance.
If you’re thinking about going pro, my advice is to make a shortlist, compare honestly and trust your gut when you talk to dive shops. There’s no single “best” place, only the best one for you.
Want to follow along? I’ll be sharing the full journey here, including the highs, the struggles and everything I learn along the way.
Have questions about becoming a divemaster or choosing a destination? Drop them in the comments and I’ll answer as best I can.
FAQ: Divemaster in Costa Rica
How long does a divemaster course in Costa Rica take?
Most programs run 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the dive shop, the season and how many prerequisites you still need. Some schools offer a faster intensive route, but more time means more practice and more real-world guiding experience. [Add the length of your program.]
How much does a divemaster course in Costa Rica cost?
Prices vary by school and what’s included (materials, certification fees, accommodation, boat dives). Expect it to sit above Southeast Asia and below Australia. [Add your exact price and what it covers.] Always ask for a written breakdown so there are no surprises.
What are the prerequisites?
You need to be at least 18, hold an Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certification (or equivalent), have a minimum number of logged dives (usually 40 before you start, 60 to certify), and have a recent medical clearance. Check your agency’s current requirements (PADI, SSI, etc.) before booking.
Is Costa Rica safe for solo female travelers?
Costa Rica is considered one of the safer countries in Latin America for solo women, but normal precautions still apply: don’t leave valuables unattended, avoid isolated areas at night, and choose accommodation with good reviews. Safety also depends on your exact location, so read recent reports for your region.
When is the best time to dive in Costa Rica?
It depends on the coast. The Pacific and the Caribbean have different seasons, visibility and marine life highlights, so pick your timing based on what you want to see and where your dive shop is based.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not for the course. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and in dive shops. A few Spanish phrases will still make daily life easier and locals will appreciate it.
What should I pack?
Bring your own mask, a dive computer and a rash guard if you have them, plus reef-safe sunscreen, a quick-dry towel and a light rain jacket. If you already have your own dive gear, bring it, but it’s not neccesary to have own gear to take the divemaster course, you can also rent it.
My name is Cory and my two favourite things in the world are traveling and scuba diving. You will either find me under the water or on top of a mountain. I have the PADI Advanced Certification and want to see as many marine animals as possible.
