Scuba Class in Santa Ana
I have a trip planned to visit Drake Bay, a small town on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, where I will earn my scuba certification and be able to dive at one of Costa Rica's best diving spots, Cano Island.
read more closeCosta Rica Adventure Divers offers a wide choice of PADI certification courses from the introductory experience, Discover Scuba to Divemaster. Guests who have already completed the pool portion of their diving class, may complete their open water dives and earn their certificate while in Drake Bay. This is what I am working towards - Open Water Diver Certification.
Because Costa Rica Adventure Divers also own a very quaint B&B with a pool in Santa Ana, I was able to complete the pool portion of the class at Casa Alegre. Anyone can complete their entire Open Water Diver Certification in this manner through Costa Rica Adventure Divers.
Casa Alegre is located in Santa Ana, known to be one of the safest cities in the San Jose area. Casa Alegre, offers 8 rooms, all with private baths, king size beds, breakfast, cable TV and free wireless internet. It is close enough to San Jose to be convenient, yet far enough away to escape the noise and traffic of the city. They offer a variety of tours ranging from trips to Poas Volcano to white water rafting.
The Casa Alegre can accommodate you as part of a package deal with their Drake Bay facility, Jinetes de Osa, or separately. The hospitality and cleanliness of the B&B will not disappoint you. The Casa Alegre is a clean and charming hotel, with all the conveniences of home.
After spending several days reading the PADI "Lets Go Diving" book, doing all the chapter reviews and watching the video, I was ready to put my new knowledge to the test -- time to get in the pool.
My instructor and part owner of Costa Rica Adventure Divers, Greg was great. He had lots of patience and allowed me the time needed to just be comfortable sitting in shallow water, breathing through the regulator. My first breath was refreshing. Air easily flows from the regulator (AKA the second stage). There was a brief instant when I sat on the bottom of the pool and I got nervous and thought "I cant do this, it feels too weird", but with Greg's kind re-assurance and patience, after just a few more minutes, it suddenly clicked and I relaxed was able to breath comfortably.
We spent several hours in the pool practicing skills and getting to know the equipment associated with diving and how to set it up.
At the end of the day, I was proud. I accomplished many new skills and I left knowing that, Yes! I can dive.
Having an instructor whom you trust and feel comfortable with is the most important thing when it comes to learning to dive. You need to not feel rushed. I recommend Greg and Costa Rica Adventure Divers to anyone who wants to learn to dive.
After a hot shower and a cup of coffee, I went home to finish packing for my trip to Drake Bay. I leave early tomorrow morning.