Guatemala has some of the best scuba diving in Central America. There are many spots to dive, from reefs and shipwrecks to cenotes and caves. You can also do cave diving in Guatemala, making it a real adventure!
Dive Sites in Guatemala
Diving in Guatemala is a great experience for new and experienced divers alike. You can find a number of great dive sites, but some are better than others.
- Pacific Ocean – The Pacific Ocean holds some of the best diving in Guatemala as well as many other places around the world. There are many different types of fish and coral that live here, making it an ideal place to see underwater life.
- Caribbean Sea – Although not quite as good as the Pacific Ocean, this region still has lots to offer when it comes to diving! You might be able to spot sunken ships or maybe even dolphins or whales if you’re lucky enough!
Scuba Diving in Antigua
Antigua is the oldest city in Guatemala. It has a lot of history and culture, and there are many things to do in Antigua.
There are also many places to stay in Antigua. You can find a hotel or hostel that is less than $100 U.S. dollars per night for two people with air conditioning and Wi-Fi access, or you can stay at one of the cheap hotels with shared bathrooms and showers for around $10 U.S./night per person if you’re on more of a budget! There are also hostels where you can rent out rooms by yourself – just look up “hostel” on Google Maps before booking anything so that they have good reviews (or ask one of your friends who already went).
Scuba Diving in Monterrico
This small fishing village on the Pacific coast is located in the Escuintla department of Guatemala. Monterrico is a popular tourist destination for divers and snorkelers alike, who come to explore its dramatic coastline and nearby dive sites. The area has dozens of dive sites within easy reach, including some that are suitable for beginning divers as well as more advanced ones that require a strong level of experience.
Scuba Diving in Rio Dulce
The Rio Dulce is a tributary of the Río San Juan. It flows through parts of Guatemala and Belize, with its mouth at Livingston on the Caribbean Sea coast. The river has a length of approximately 190 miles (300 kilometers). Its drainage basin covers an area of 16,240 square miles (41,360 square kilometers).
The Rio Dulce originates in Guatemala and flows through Lake Izabal before entering Belize where it empties into Chetumal Bay on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The lake was created when Hurricane Hattie hit in 1961 causing severe flooding that changed the course of both rivers.
Scuba Diving in San Jose
Scuba diving in San Jose is most enjoyable from November to April, but it’s possible to dive year-round. The water temperature is warm enough that you won’t need a wetsuit or drysuit, but don’t be surprised if the weather can get quite chilly at times (especially at night). The currents are strong in some parts of the sea, so you’ll want to be careful when selecting a dive site. Visibility can be good depending on where you go; sometimes it’s easy to spot marine life such as rays, turtles and dolphins; other times it may be difficult.
There are plenty of options when choosing where to dive near San Jose: Punta de Lobos (a rocky outcropping), Monterrico Wall (a wall with lots of marine life), Carwash Reef (another wall), Excelsior Wreck (a sunken ship), Santa Rosa Wreck (also known as “the big blue”), Isla Santa Elena and La Isla Resort Beach Club
Types of Diving Available in Guatemala
There are many different types of diving available in Guatemala.
- Scuba Diving is the most popular form of underwater exploration, and it’s also the only type that requires an advanced certification. If you’re new to scuba diving, this might be too overwhelming for you—but there are plenty of other options for exploring Guatemala’s waters!
- Snorkeling is a great way to see some marine life without having to undergo training or experience any pressure changes from depth. It’s also easy on your wallet because all you need is a mask and fins (and maybe some sunscreen).
- Wreck diving involves finding sunken ships or other structures underwater and exploring them as if they were above ground ruins instead of below water ones! You’ll need advanced certification for this one though: make sure your certifications are up-to-date before heading out into the open seas with wreck divers.
- Deep Sea Fishing allows anyone interested in fishing without being able to swim much at all—all they need is bait! Just don’t forget your rod under water when trying out deep sea fishing; otherwise, everything will get tangled together by mistake…
Scuba Diving Conditions in Guatemala
- Temperature: The water temperature in the Pacific Ocean ranges from about 75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 28 degrees Celsius).
- Visibility: Water visibility is often good, but it can vary significantly depending on current conditions. When there are no adverse weather conditions or winds, you can expect to see at least 100 feet (30 meters) of visibility when diving in Guatemala. However, because of its location near the equator, this Central American country also experiences frequent rain showers during the rainy season. One thing that may affect underwater visibility is whether there are large amounts of plankton or fish in your dive area; these naturally occurring organisms absorb sunlight and create a greenish hue on the surface of the water that can make it harder for divers to see clearly underwater.
- Currents: There are usually strong currents along both coasts and they tend to flow into shore rather than out towards deeper water channels or open ocean areas. This makes it important for scuba divers planning on exploring deeper waters with their gear-laden tanks and weight belts not only stay close enough together as a team so they don’t get separated but also take care not enter any dead ends where strong currents could push them around dangerously quickly without being able to swim out fast enough before becoming exhausted from fighting against such strong forces pulling against them.* Sea Life: With its warm climate year round combined with clear waters filled with diverse marine life like schools of colorful tropical fish swimming around coral reefs – including sea turtles – there’s plenty opportunity here for some truly amazing dives!
When to Go scuba diving Guatemala
When to Go: The best time of year to go diving in Guatemala is from December to March, when the weather is warm and dry. There are also fewer tourists during this time. Avoid going during the rainy season (June to October) or dry season (April to November), when rains are frequent and strong winds can make it difficult for boats and planes to get around.
Holiday Ideas for visiting Guatemala
Whether you’re a scuba diver or not, the country of Guatemala offers some excellent scuba diving opportunities for everyone. There are many different types of diving available in Guatemala, from locations that are close to the coast to those further inland. The best time of year for diving is between November and April, when there’s less chance of storms disrupting your plans.
If you are planning a scuba diving vacation to Guatemala, read on for ideas and inspiration
Guatemala has many different dive sites and there are many different types of diving available in Guatemala. The water temperature ranges from 26-29 degrees Celsius (80-86 Fahrenheit) with visibility generally at 15 meters (50 feet). These great conditions make this country one of the best places for scuba diving in Central America.
Scuba diving Guatemala is best during the months of October to March when water temperatures are warmer and sea life is abundant.
Conclusion
We hope that this information has been helpful to you. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help with planning your trip or choosing the right dive spot! We are always here to answer any questions you may have.