I was wondering if anyone knows if the Riu has decent loaner snorkels and masks. My son lost mine! I'm bringing my own flippers cause I wear a size 15 shoe.
Do not reply to this message with any comments about the Riu's environmental record. I have heard it all, didn't know about it before I booked, and cannot cancel.
Hey Frank.... When I was there they had decent snorkels and Masks...Unless you're and expert snorkler that is... but you should be ok.... Enjoy your trip there...:)
What is there to see at their "beach"?
I have some of the "experts" say there is nothing to see there but if you read the reviews for the hotel some people have commented that there are fish to see there and to even bring bread to feed them. One guy even complained that the fish were biting him! Sometimes it has happened to me too. Little minnow like fish nip at the hairs on your legs.
Just don't expect much - snorkeling in Costa Rica is nothing like the Caribbean islands, Bahamas or Great Barrier Reef. We knew this, still enjoyed it off a catamaran from Playa Flamingo, but had low expectations.
Probably not great snorkling there but let us know! Be careful with your things on the beach, one couple reports having their shoes stolen while they were in the water.
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OK I just got back and the snorkeling is below average. If the water is calm as it was 2 out of the 6 days we were there, you can see schools of Jack fish just off the beach but nothing else. If you walk down the beach a little to the rocks it gets a little better but nothing to write home about. Because of the volcanic sand the water can get quite cloudy so you often have to dive down 5 to 10 feet to see anything worthwhile. I brought my own equipment this time but would just use theirs next time. We did take the hotel's snorkel trip for $25 and it MIGHT have been worth it had the water not been so rough and therefore cloudy.
The only person to highly praise RIU is CAJON now using another screen names...please be aware that CAJON is being pay by RIU people to praise them!
roadadvisor
The entire Pacific side of CR is not great snorkeling, its mainly darker sand, no reefs and rough seas...Playa Bellena south of Quepos is ok, and off Isla Cano at Drake Bay, but the overall snorkel/diving on the Pacific side of Central America is a 1 on a 1 to 10...
Rui and Pappagayo area is best avoided anyway, far nicer lodges and beaches elsewhere in CR....and cheaper.
