Jeff Merkel

Your Local Expert

Contact Information

info@divetrips.club

Get Ready For Your Dream Costa Rica Vacation

Your Itinerary ID: FMCR00007510

100% Tailored for Dive Trips Club with Jeff Merkell

Hi Dive,

Welcome to Costa Rica!

Get ready for an unforgettable journey crafted with care and expertise. Your customized Costa Rican itinerary has been designed by local experts and seasoned travel advisors who are passionate about creating extraordinary adventures. Tailored to your unique preferences, this itinerary ensures a personalized experience, attention to detail, and recommendations from professionals who share your love of travel.

Joining you on this adventure is your host, Jeff Merkel. With over 30 years of scuba diving experience, Jeff is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Platinum 1000 Instructor. After a successful career as a dive shop owner in Pennsylvania, Jeff now calls the island of Curaçao home. He’s passionate about introducing new and seasoned divers alike to the wonders of the underwater world and Jeff’s expertise will enhance your Costa Rican adventure.

Day 1: Playa Hermosa

-

Welcome to Costa Rica

Saturday, Oct 18, 2025

Upon arrival to Costa Rica, gather your checked luggage, make your way through customs and go towards the main exit. Bill Beard Costa Rica guides and drivers will be waiting for you as you exit with a name sign. Sit back and enjoy your ride to the Resort

Daily Summary

Transportation:

  • - Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Zone 1 (Papagayo,El Coco,Ocotal)

Activities:

  • - Dive Briefing Meeting at the Hotel Lobby Area.

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Zone 1 (Papagayo,El Coco,Ocotal)

  • Pick Up Place: Liberia Airport
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo

Dive Briefing Meeting at the Hotel Lobby Area.

  • Pick Up Time: 16:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo

Description:

Dive Briefing Meeting

Your dive adventures begin with a pre-dive briefing with the dive shop. Please meet the dive operation representative at the hotel reception at the indicated time. During the briefing, you’ll review the dive plan, address any questions, and arrange to have your dive gear set up on the boat for the next morning. Remember to bring your C Card to the dive briefing

IMPORTANT - Please reconfirm the exact  pick up time and place with the dive shop at the dive briefing  or  by contacting them  the day  before your first  day of diving at the numbers below

Scuba Diving – Rocket Frog Divers

  • Dive Shop: 506-8562-3340
  • Office: (506) 2670-1589
  • Cell: (506) 8834-6646
  • Whatsapp/Phone (USA/Canada): (315) 222-8801



  • What to Bring: Bathing Suit, Towel, Certification Card (C Card), Dive Log, Any Personal Dive Equipment That You Will Be Using, Additional Clothes To Change Into After Diving,
  • Includes: Equipment, Tanks,

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Check in: 18/Oct/2025
  • Check out: 25/Oct/2025
  • Location: Playa Hermosa
  • Room Type: 8 Deluxe Bay View, 1 Premiun Level Jr. Suite , 1 Premiun Level Master Suite
  • Meals: All Inclusive
  • Confirmation Number: 15911

Description:

For a blissful, adults-only experience along Costa Rica’s western coast, the Occidental Papagayo delivers. This resort is part of the Barceló Hotel Group. It offers luxurious accommodations in a magnificent tropical setting that you can count among your best vacations. All-Inclusive Plan: breakfast, lunch snacks, and dinner daily and Unlimited domestic alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

Cuisine / Bars and Restaurants
The Occidental Papagayo has  3 restaurants and 4 bars.  The Occidental Papagayo has 4 different restaurants and 4 lounges/bars. The Buffet - International buffet at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; The Italian - Serves Italian specialties and à la carte dinner (requires reservation); D'Oriental - Features Asian specialties and à la carte dinner (requires reservation). Most meals will be served at the L’Buffet. They also have the Snack Bar, the restaurant by the pool with more limited options (more like salads and fast food).   For dinner, there is a Steak House restaurant (A la Carte) available some nights.

Please note - A la carte restaurant dinners must be booked from the second day of stay at 8 AM each morning, and 1 a la carte dinner reservation is allowed for for every 3 nights of lodging. 

Day 2: Playa Hermosa

Sunday, Oct 19, 2025

Daily Summary

Activities:

  • - 2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

  • Pick Up Time: 08:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach

Description:

Papagayo area offers a great variety of dive sites among them Tortuga, Argentina, Turning point and Fat point. The Pacific coast offers all dive levels going from calm areas to others with some current. Different species of rays, school of fish, sea horse, turtles and white tip sharks can be seen while exploring the underwater world of this region. 

This activity includes tanks, weights, weight belt and snacks on board. Additional equipment is available directly at the dive shop.

  • What to Bring: Bathing Suit, Towel, Certification Card (C Card), Dive Log, Any Personal Dive Equipment That You Will Be Using, Additional Clothes To Change Into After Diving,
  • Includes: Bilingual Instructor, Weights, Belt, Tanks,

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Meals: All Inclusive

Day 3: Playa Hermosa

Monday, Oct 20, 2025

Daily Summary

Activities:

  • - 2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive
  • - Combo Rum and Boat Tour Tempisque River

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

  • Pick Up Time: 08:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach

Description:

Papagayo area offers a great variety of dive sites among them Tortuga, Argentina, Turning point and Fat point. The Pacific coast offers all dive levels going from calm areas to others with some current. Different species of rays, school of fish, sea horse, turtles and white tip sharks can be seen while exploring the underwater world of this region. 

This activity includes tanks, weights, weight belt and snacks on board. Additional equipment is available directly at the dive shop.

  • What to Bring: Bathing Suit, Towel, Certification Card (C Card), Dive Log, Any Personal Dive Equipment That You Will Be Using, Additional Clothes To Change Into After Diving,
  • Includes: Bilingual Instructor, Weights, Belt, Tanks,

Combo Rum and Boat Tour Tempisque River

  • Pick Up Time: 13:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo

Description:

Nestled on the grounds of historic Tempisque River, along with one of Costa Rica’s most important sugar cane plantations, is the home of “El Viejo”, an old-style Hacienda through over 5000 hectares that offers a rich cultural experience with a truly traditional atmosphere.


Join us with a boat ride along the Tempisque River which is a great way to observe the local wildlife. Guests usually see tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and capuchin monkeys in their natural habitat. Then, experience the process of producing high-quality Rum from sugar cane. Learn about cultivation techniques, growing cycle, harvesting, milling, and mashing to reach the distiller where we explain in detail the fermentation and distillation process to get the first liquors and highest purity. 


An educational tasting is offered in the Cask House, where you will learn more about the maturation flavors and aromas of Rum.

  • What to Bring: Comfortable Clothes, Camera, Sunscreen, Binoculars, Comfortable Shoes, Hat, Sunglasses, Water Bottle,
  • Includes: Bilingual Certified Guide, Transportation, Entrance, Tasting,

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Meals: All Inclusive

Day 4: Playa Hermosa

Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025

Daily Summary

Activities:

  • - 2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

  • Pick Up Time: 08:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach

Description:

Papagayo area offers a great variety of dive sites among them Tortuga, Argentina, Turning point and Fat point. The Pacific coast offers all dive levels going from calm areas to others with some current. Different species of rays, school of fish, sea horse, turtles and white tip sharks can be seen while exploring the underwater world of this region. 

This activity includes tanks, weights, weight belt and snacks on board. Additional equipment is available directly at the dive shop.

  • What to Bring: Bathing Suit, Towel, Certification Card (C Card), Dive Log, Any Personal Dive Equipment That You Will Be Using, Additional Clothes To Change Into After Diving,
  • Includes: Bilingual Instructor, Weights, Belt, Tanks,

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Meals: All Inclusive

Day 5: Playa Hermosa

Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025

Daily Summary

Activities:

  • - 2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive
  • - ATV Beach Tour (2hrs)

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

  • Pick Up Time: 08:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach

Description:

Papagayo area offers a great variety of dive sites among them Tortuga, Argentina, Turning point and Fat point. The Pacific coast offers all dive levels going from calm areas to others with some current. Different species of rays, school of fish, sea horse, turtles and white tip sharks can be seen while exploring the underwater world of this region. 

This activity includes tanks, weights, weight belt and snacks on board. Additional equipment is available directly at the dive shop.

  • What to Bring: Bathing Suit, Towel, Certification Card (C Card), Dive Log, Any Personal Dive Equipment That You Will Be Using, Additional Clothes To Change Into After Diving,
  • Includes: Bilingual Instructor, Weights, Belt, Tanks,

ATV Beach Tour (2hrs)

  • Pick Up Time: 14:00
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Meals: All Inclusive

Day 6: Playa Hermosa

Thursday, Oct 23, 2025

Daily Summary

Activities:

  • - 2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

2 Tank Papagayo Local Dive

  • Pick Up Time: 08:30
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo - Beach

Description:

Papagayo area offers a great variety of dive sites among them Tortuga, Argentina, Turning point and Fat point. The Pacific coast offers all dive levels going from calm areas to others with some current. Different species of rays, school of fish, sea horse, turtles and white tip sharks can be seen while exploring the underwater world of this region. 

This activity includes tanks, weights, weight belt and snacks on board. Additional equipment is available directly at the dive shop.

  • What to Bring: Bathing Suit, Towel, Certification Card (C Card), Dive Log, Any Personal Dive Equipment That You Will Be Using, Additional Clothes To Change Into After Diving,
  • Includes: Bilingual Instructor, Weights, Belt, Tanks,

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Meals: All Inclusive

Day 7: Playa Hermosa

Friday, Oct 24, 2025

Daily Summary

Transportation:

  • - Private Transfer from Occidental Papagayo to Rincon Corobici for Rafting

Activities:

  • - Tenorio River Rafting clase III-IV with lunch (shared)

Accommodation:

  • - Occidental Papagayo

Meals:

  • - All Inclusive

Private Transfer from Occidental Papagayo to Rincon Corobici for Rafting

  • Pick Up Time: 07:00
  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo
  • Drop Off Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo

Tenorio River Rafting clase III-IV with lunch (shared)

  • Pick Up Time: 09:00
  • Pick Up Place: Rincon Corobici
  • Drop Off Place: Rincon Corobici

Description:

Experience rafting 12 kilometers (2 – 2.5 hours depending on river level & time of year) of the Tenorio River, passing through sections which are dominated by over 22 class III-IV whitewater rapids..   During the smoother sections, take a look around at the lush, forested scenery and try to spot tropical birds perched high in the trees the opportunity to see plenty of other wildlife along the way such as iguanas and monkeys.. This unique rafting tour finishes with the thrilling 12-foot waterfall drop called “Cascabel Falls.”

Hotel: Occidental Papagayo

  • Meals: All Inclusive

Day 8

Saturday, Oct 25, 2025

Daily Summary

Transportation:

  • - Private Transfer from Guanacaste Zone 1 (Papagayo,El Coco,Ocotal) to Liberia Airport

Private Transfer from Guanacaste Zone 1 (Papagayo,El Coco,Ocotal) to Liberia Airport

  • Pick Up Place: Hotel Occidental Papagayo
  • Drop Off Place: Liberia Airport

Summary

  • Dates: 18/Oct/2025 - 25/Oct/2025
  • Group size: 16 Adults