TOP TWO DIVE DESTINATIONS THAT ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM PLAYA GRANDE

By Uncategorized October 29, 2021
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The waters off the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula are teeming with marine life. The rocky reefs that line the coast and surround the offshore islands are magnets for a rainbow-array of tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, manta rays, sea turtles, and small sharks.

The beauty of diving in the tropical Pacific Ocean is that the conditions and the water temperature are ideal all year around! There are incredible opportunities for experienced scuba divers, as well as novice divers.

There are also great spots for snorkeling and snuba diving. Two of the best places to go diving near Playa Grande are the Catalina Islands and the Bat Islands.

If you just want to walk right off the beach and have a look around with a mask and snorkel, there are dozens of places to do that. Bahia de los Piratas, Playa Conchal, and Playa Minas are three lovely places to go for an easy snorkel in between sun bathing, picnicking, and swimming in the tranquil protected sea along these beaches.

CATALINA ISLANDS

The Catalina Islands, Islas Catalinas are made up of twenty islands. This is one of Costa Rica’s top diving destinations. It is also very easy to get to from the northern cusp of the Nicoya Peninsula. This dive destination is accessible for all levels of scuba divers, as well as snorkelers and snuba divers.

The Catalina Islands are bursting with marine life. Giant manta rays, devil manta rays, bat rays, bullseye electric rays, cow-nosed rays, and spotted eagle rays can all be found here. If you are very lucky, you might even encounter pilot whales and whale sharks.

The visible is usually the best between March and September. However, you can arrange a dive expedition anytime of the year.

Diving the Nicoya Peninsula

SPOTTED EAGLE RAY

THE BAT ISLANDS

The Bat Islands, Islas Murciélagos are located inside the protected waters of the Santa Rosa National Park. These remote islands offer exceptional diving for intermediate and advanced scuba divers.

They are most famous for their population of bull sharks, which attract shark lovers and adventurous divers from all around the world. Aside from the sharks, you can expect to also encounter several different types of rays and turtles.

The best months to dive this area is between March and November when the Papagayo winds aren’t so strong.

Diving the Nicoya Peninsula

BAT ISLAND RESIDENTS

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About the Author
GRE_TEAM-Dave
David J. Corredor

A dynamic leader with a proven track record of success in real estate, hotel, restaurant, and sales businesses. Effective leadership style that inspires trust and confidence in team members and clients. Relationship-based sales approach that yields many repeat clients and referrals. Experience in sales for over 20 years. Well over $100,000,000 in career real estate sales. Proud husband of Annie Corredor and father of Maggie Corredor.

COSTA RICA EXPERIENCE

Grande Real Estate
CO-FOUNDER and CO-OWNER
2016 - Now

After years of experience in the Playa Grande market, Dave and Annie started this small real estate brokerage and consultancy with the intent of using their best skills in sales and capitalizing on the plethora of qualified prospects generated by both RipJack Inn and their plentiful relationships in the area.

  • With Dave acting as lead agent/broker and Annie as GM, Grande Real Estate has grown to a level of over 50 transactions and $15,000,000 per year in sales volume.
  • Dave and GRE have been the exclusive agent for several gated communities/major developments in the area. In this role, Dave is counted on to help guide the decisions about what and when to build for the current market conditions. With this expert guidance, Dave has led multiple projects to their best performance in a variety of market conditions.
  • Grande Real Estate has had the majority of transactions and significant listings in the Playa Grande market during since inception. The vast majority of Dave’s clientele comes from existing relationships, repeat clients, and referrals. Dave’s greatest strength has always been developing and maintaining relationships through a commitment to the highest level of service.

Local Real Estate Investments/Projects
INVESTOR/MANAGING PARTNER
2004 - Now

As opportunities arise, we invest in and develop real estate projects in the local area. We currently own several properties in various stages of development, including the construction of fine custom and spec homes. We intend to emphasize this more as we move forward and do multiple projects per year beginning in 2021. As always, our focus will be on high quality end products and true, long-lasting value for our partners and clients, our most important relationships.

Premier American Escrow, LLC
ESCROW SERVICES FOR COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE
2017 - Now

In response to a clear need for streamlined escrow services in Costa Rica, Dave, Annie and 2 partners opened a Florida LLC to do escrow services for transactions, mostly involving Grande Real Estate. To-date, Premier American Escrow has done over 10 escrows very successfully. Customer satisfaction has been high and we expect the company to expand in the coming year.

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande
CO-FOUNDER and PRESIDENT
2004 - Now

Re-developed an older hotel property in a great location into the largest and most successful business in town. RipJack Inn has become the leading hotel and restaurant/bar in town and generates an average of $1,100,000 per year in sales. RipJack Inn is also the original and most successful yoga studio and retreat location in Playa Grande. Revenue streams also include group events/weddings, catering, tours/activities, and some retail. Also acquired expansion land permitted and executed new construction in the most difficult place to build in Costa Rica. The hotel has grown from 8 to 21 rooms over the last 17 years.

RipJack Inn currently provides solid employment to over 30 Costa Ricans and has employed over 150 people in its history. Dave and Annie have become experts in the navigation of the legal systems, employment, accounting, taxation, and culture of Costa Rica. RipJack Inn is an employer, taxpayer, and corporate entity in good standing in both the United States and Costa Rica.

UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE
Cornish and Carey Commercial, Palo Alto, California
LEASING AGENT
1998 - 2002

  • Primary focus was tenant and landlord representation in lease transactions for the dominant brokerage house in Silicon Valley. Client list included PayPal/Ebay, Advocco, TellMe Networks (acquired by Microsoft), Adecco, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Held State of California Real Estate Salesperson’s License.
  • Won prestigious Rookie of the Year Award in 1999, first full year. Set record for most commissions earned in an agent’s rookie year.
  • Year 2000, reached elite Super Bonus level with over $600,000 in earnings. Set standard for any agent in second year in history of company. Over $20,000,000 in total consideration in transactions for year.
  • Discovered and worked from start to finish on two office-building/redevelopment projects in Mountain View, California as agent and investor. Created two Class A office building in the heart of the Silicon Valley from scratch and saw them through lease-up and sell-out. Project included the first world headquarters for PayPal (then acquired by Ebay) and over $75MM in total consideration to the investment group.

PERSONAL

Married for 18 years and helping my wife Annie raise our daughter Maggie, my #1 focus. Interests include surfing, cycling, reading, personal growth, dogs, and travel. Fully fluent in Spanish, inclusive of speaking, reading, and writing to contract level. Permanent legal resident of Costa Rica.

Additional Leadership Activities

Vice-president, Board of Directors, Association AyA, Playa Grande, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. My primary community service role is to help guide the board in the management of the town’s water system. We focus on sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of the town’s water supply and system. A crucial role in a place where development and water usage are highly politicized and controversial. Over 10 years on this board to-date.