Learn to Dive in Montezuma: Why nYa Hotel Is the Perfect Base 

Just south toward Cabuya (the gateway to the Cabo Blanco marine sanctuary), seasonal encounters can include rays—occasionally even mantas—plus turtles and healthy reef life. We’ll never promise wildlife, but the peninsula does see these species at the right times of year.

How learning to dive actually works

Most new divers follow one of two paths:

• PADI Discover Scuba Diving (DSD): a one-day “try dive” with skills practice in a pool or pool-like water and a shallow ocean dive under an instructor’s direct supervision. It’s not a certifi cation, but parts of it can count toward your course if you decide to continue.
• PADI Open Water Diver: the full entry-level certifi cation. You’ll complete knowledge learning (often online), confi ned-water skills in a pool, and four open-water dives over at least two days. After this, you can dive with a buddy to 18 m/60 ft in conditions similar to your training.

At nYa, we host the confi ned-water portion in our calm pool and schedule your ocean dives when conditions are best, usually in the morning. This keeps the learning curve gentle and the days enjoyable.

A simple fi ve-day learn-to-dive plan

Think of this as a template—we’ll tailor timing with Miki’s team to sea conditions and your pace.

• Day 1 – Set up and study
  Arrive at nYa, settle in, and fi nish your eLearning if you haven’t already. We’ll do a quick gear sizing and course briefi ng so the week feels easy from the start.
• Day 2 – Pool confidence
  Confined-water session at nYa’s pool: breathing, buoyancy, mask clears, regulator recovery—steady, unhurried practice until it feels natural. A short ocean orientation/snorkel if conditions are calm.
• Day 3 – Open Water 1 & 2
  Boat to beginner sites near Isla Tortuga (e.g., Mortero or La Cueva equivalents) for your fi rst two training dives. Expect gentle depths, schooling fi sh, and, with luck, rays; at certain moorings, white-tip sharks rest on the bottom. Afternoon recovery and a good
  dinner at Agrá.
• Day 4 – Open Water 3 & 4
  Two more dives to complete certifi cation, often with slightly more navigation and buoyancy work. Optional celebratory sunset walk or a quiet hour in the hammocks back at nYa.
• Day 5 – Your first “fun dives” (or a rest morning)
  Now certifi ed, choose a relaxed two-tank trip—or keep it light with a beach morning. If the forecast aligns, we can also talk about a Cabuya run with an eye out for seasonal pelagics.

Not ready for the full course? Do DSD with pool practice at nYa and a single shallow ocean dive to see how it feels. If you love it, that time can credit toward your certification.

Where you’ll likely dive

• Isla Tortuga area: Short rides from Montezuma with features like rock reefs, schooling fi sh, and, at some sites, a small wreck and resting white-tip reef sharks in 18–25 m / 60–80 ft. Great for early certifi cations.
• Montezuma/Cabuya coastal sites: Near-coast reefs with macro life, turtles, and rays; on the edge of the Cabo Blanco protected waters that shelter diverse marine species. Access varies by tide and season; we choose windows that suit beginners.

Safety, conservation, and comfort

We keep groups small and schedules realistic. You’ll practice in the pool, dive with certifi ed instructors, and debrief in shaded areas between sessions. Please bring or buy reef-safe sunscreen, stay hydrated, and follow your instructor’s guidance on currents and entry/exit. Cabo Blanco’s protected waters support what you’ll see out there—treating the ocean gently helps keep it that way.If you like to keep things active, December’s calm seas and clear skies are ideal for snorkeling trips, surf lessons, or a guided horseback ride along coastal trails.

What to bring

Quick-dry layers, a light long-sleeve for sun, sandals and grippy shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a dry bag for boat days. For a fuller checklist by season, see our blog post: What to Pack for Montezuma.

FAQs

• Can I learn to dive if I’m short on time?Yes. A DSD experience takes about a half day with pool practice and one shallow ocean dive. If you want the full certifi cation, plan on at least three to four days for confi ned- and open-water sessions after your online theory.
• Is Montezuma good for already-certified divers?For relaxed, scenic dives—yes. If you’re chasing deep walls or advanced drift sites, we’ll point you to other Costa Rica regions for a later leg of your trip. Tortuga/Cabuya shines for fi rst certifi cations, refresher dives, and easy two-tanks.
• What marine life might I see?Schooling fi sh, reef life, rays, and, at select sites, resting white-tip reef sharks. In parts of the peninsula there’s a seasonal chance of mantas and turtles, but wildlife is never guaranteed.
• Who will teach me?We partner with Montezuma Crew and other certifi ed professionals. Training follows international standards, with pool-based skills before open-water dives.
• Can I finish theory before I arrive?Yes—most guests complete PADI eLearning at home, then do pool and ocean sessions here. It shortens your days on site and keeps the experience relaxed.

Ready to plan it?

Tell us your dates, experience level (even if it’s “zero”), and whether you prefer a one-day “try dive” or a fi ve-day certifi cation path. We’ll coordinate pool time at nYa, book your boat windows with Montezuma Crew, and keep the week easy—good sleep, calm learning, and dive days that end with dinner at Agrá.

Contact
Email: reservations@nyahotel.cr
WhatsApp: +506 8609 3999
Website: https://www.nyahotel.cr/