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Get Your PADI Scuba Certification in Costa Rica!

$995Program Costs
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2003Year established

Program Overview

Get your PADI scuba certification in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica!

The scenic town of Manuel Antonio is located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is home to the best beaches in the country! While diving, look out for volcanic rock formations, sea turtles, octopuses, stingrays, lobsters, and an infinite variety of tropical fish.

Maximo Nivel’s PADI certification in Manuel Antonio gives you the skills and guidance needed to become a confident ocean diver in just 3-5 days. Your certification is internationally recognized, opening the door to incredible dive adventures and a whole new way to explore the ocean.

The Scuba Certification includes three phases:

1. Knowledge Development
2. Confined Water Dives
3. Open Water Dives

Want to test the waters first? The Scuba Discovery Course gives you a 2-day introduction, including a pool practice session and two open-water dives under the guidance of a professional instructor.

Ready to dive deeper into this program?

Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.

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Program Highlights

Dive inside Manuel Antonio National Park’s vibrant marine reserve, home to volcanic rock formations, white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, octopuses, and tropical fish.
Earn your internationally recognized PADI Open Water Diver credential in just 3 to 5 days through personalized instruction with multilingual dive professionals.
Easily stack your scuba training with Maximo Nivel’s Spanish immersion, volunteer projects, TEFL certification, or local surfing lessons along Manuel Antonio's coastline.
Choose between the comprehensive Open Water Certification or a 2-day Scuba Discovery trial course complete with pool practice and guided open-water lake dives.
Enjoy a hassle-free setup that covers your local accommodations, full scuba gear rentals, PADI course materials, and transport to and from dive sites.

What's Included

Tuition & Fees
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
Required Equipment
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Training
Micro-Credential(s) / Certification(s)
Course Materials
Emergency Support
Certificate of Completion

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays
  • Independent living

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

14+

Starts At

  • 3-5 days: $995

Payment Terms

  • Payment Plan
  • Upfront Deposit
  • Changes Allowed

Refund Policy

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about MAXIMO NIVEL.

What are the program requirements?

– Physically fit
– Basic swimming skills; comfortable in the water
– Able to swim 200 meters unassisted
– All scuba equipment is provided, but you may choose to bring your own mask, snorkel and fins
– All surf equipment is provided, but feel free to bring your own board

What's included in the program?

– Accommodations
– Bilingual, PADI-certified instructor
– All PADI course materials
– Diving equipment
– Transportation to/from dive sites
– PADI Certification
– Must wait 24 hours after last dive before flying to avoid decompression sickness

Can I combine the Scuba program with other Maximo Nivel programs?

Yes! You can easily pair your scuba certification with Spanish Immersion, Volunteer Abroad, or an International Internship to build a fully customized study abroad experience.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025
GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Volunteer Abroad
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Language School
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Volunteer Abroad
People’s Choice Award 2023 Finalist
Top Rated Language School 2022
Notable Mention 2021 - Gap Year
Top Rated Organization 2021 - Volunteer Abroad
Innovative TEFL / Teach Abroad Program 2021 Finalist
Top Rated Teach Abroad Organizations of 2020
Top Rated Volunteer Abroad Organizations of 2020 Notable Mentions
2019 Notable Mentions
NAFSA
ALTO - Association of Language Travel Organisations
GoAbroad Top Language Program 2018
GoAbroad Top TEFL Certification Program 2018
GoAbroad Top Language School 2018

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