Scuba Diving for gap year and career break divers

Programme Details

Surrounded by beautiful bays and stunning dive sites, the two towns of Quepos and Manual Antonio are great places to learn Spanish, scuba dive and experience plenty of local culture. Whether you’re a student in college, a professional in the field or a lifetime learner; these programmes provide you with the tools and guidance you need to achieve and surpass your Spanish and diving goals!

Our trips to Costa Rica are great for individuals who wish to improve their Spanish for work or University studies. The diving ain't half bad either! In the Pacific Ocean you can expect to see large pelagics such as sharks, whales, Manta Rays and dolphins!!

The programmes focus on intensive Spanish with scuba diving. Trips vary in duration from 2 weeks to 2 months and incorporate up to 20 hours Spanish each week with PADI diving courses from beginner to Rescue Diver built-in around the learning. Adventure tours such as whitewater rafting, canopy tours and surf lessons are done at the weekends too and you can choose which ones you'd like to do.

The trips are action-packed with learning and adventure! They attract an International crowd with students and career breakers from USA, UK, Scandinavia, Europe and even Asia.

Itinerary / Schedule

Spanish Lessons

Spanish lessons are held at an award-winning language school - about 1 km from where you’ll be living. Classes are held outdoors in the rainforest in small groups of no more than 5 people. Lessons are held Monday to Friday in either the morning or afternoon on a rotating basis. In total, there are 20 hours of Spanish lessons per week and we guarantee that your Spanish will improve dramatically during your stay!

Diving

The dive centre is part of the PADI International Resort Association and is located in downtown Quepos. Thereare 3 full time PADI instructors. Several of the instructors have backgrounds in public safety with scuba diving and the owner has dive leadership experience with police forces, firefighters and rescue personnel in the U.S. and Costa Rica. The instructors and dive masters all have years of personal experience of local waters.

All PADI courses are taught down at the dive centre. Lessons and diving are done on a rotating basis with the Spanish lessons and you can expect to dive in the morning as well as the afternoon. From the langauge school and your homestay it is about a 10-15 minute walk to the dive centre.

The courses you get taught largely depends on the programme you choose! Most programmes include all the learn-to-dive courses but the longer programmes can include PADI courses up to Divemaster (on request).

The diving in the area is also very good.The Manuel Antonio coastline with its 12 islands, gives you the choice of dozens of local dive sites. The marine life is abundant; schools of Snapper, Jacks, Grunts and Barracuda can be seen on many dives. In addition, you can expect to see Reef Sharks, Giant Manta Rays, Sting Rays, Sea Turtles, Mantas, Hammerheads and even whales!

TOPPS Financial Protection

In the unlikely event of financial failure, subject to the terms and conditions of the Policy, UK customers’ prepayments for non flight inclusive packages will be reimbursed. topp is underwritten by Travel & General Insurance Company plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Protected by Total Payment Protection Policy (topp) under policy no GADL/topp/10/03.

Flights

Flights are not included and they need to be arranged by you. Most people fly from London to a US city. From there it's a 3 to 4 hour flight until you land at San Jose. All you then need is a short flight from San Jose to Quepos (20 minutes with STUNNING views).

Transfers

It's mainly independent travel until your reach Quepos where you are met by a driver and taken to your homestay. There's a shuttle bus during the week from Quepos to the language school, but other than that, local buses and taxis are safe and the best way to get around the area.

Accommodation and meals

You stay with a local host family who provide you with a private room within their home. Breakfast and dinner are provided daily and the family even do your washing! The system works well and you live nearby other students.

Spanish Lessons

All learning materials are provided. Just bring your notebook and pens with you.

Requirements

No diving or Spanish experience required.

PADI Materials and fees

All PADI materials and PADI fees have been included in this programme if you require diver training.

Sample Prices

Start Dates

We offer custom start dates on this programme, however, please ensure that you arrive on a Sunday to start Spanish on a Monday morning.

Activity Bolt-ons (for weekends)

Note: One activity per weekend, please! Two week trip = 2 activities, one month trip = 4 activities etc