Costa Rica Gay Scuba & Outdoor Adventure

Trip Overview:

For eight years I have attended the Diving For Life (DFL) annual international jamboree event. It is a week-long vacation and fund raising event led by a small group of volunteers who give all the money raised to GLBT health-related charity organizations.  The 2015 trip is an all-inclusive week with 150 gay scuba divers and outdoor adventure enthusiasts to the Flamingo Beach Resort, Spa and Casino in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on September 26 - October 3, 2015.  The resort is reserved exclusively for this event.  With the vast array of water-based sports (scuba, kayaking, wave runners, white water rafting and sports fishing), along with land-based excursions (jungle hikes, volcano tours, canopy zip-lining, horseback riding and natural preserves), this is an ideal trip for Gay Outdoors members.

Lodging:

The 2015 annual GLBT scuba diving and outdoor adventure event will be held at the Flamingo Beach Resort, Spa and Casino in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Flamingo Beach Resort, located directly on Playa Flamingo Beach, is known for its pristine powdery sands that stretch along the Pacific coast. The resort – reserved exclusively for this event – has been noted by Costa Rica gay travel guides for its welcoming ambiance and "pura vida" hospitality. The resort features an oversized outdoor swimming pool with swim-up cocktail bar, indoor/outdoor dining, spa, casino, beauty & fitness services & all of the exciting, outdoor adventure nature tours and water sports that Costa Rica has to offer!

All of the restful guestrooms offer modern amenities including direct dial telephone with voice mail, complimentary WIFI access, AM/FM clock radio, minibar (fee), ceiling fans, flat screen cable TV, remote controlled air conditioning, private bath with tub and shower combination, make up mirror, hairdryer, and complimentary bath toiletries.

There are various room accommodation types available (standard, studios, pool views, and suites), many with private balconies or patios and can be reserved for single- or double-occupancy.

What's included in the package:

2015 COSTA RICA TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• 7 nights' air conditioned accommodations
• Airport transfers - from/to Liberia Airport (LIR)
• 3 unlimited buffet meals daily, plus made to order menu options 
• All well / non-premium alcoholic beverages, spirits and soft drinks
• Free wireless internet throughout the resort and in all rooms
• Traditional Costa Rican welcome drink
• Three themed parties
• Shuttle service to/from the famed Tamarindo town and beach community
• Use of: tennis and basketball courts; Game Center, featuring ping-pong, foosball, and billiards; and a mini movie theater with 3 shows daily
• 24 hour gym access
• 15% discount at OnZen Spa
• Tips for dive staff, restaurant staff, bar staff, maids and hotel staff
• For scuba divers: 2 single-tank boat dives per day Sunday through Friday, weights and weight belt 

Other activities and amenities available:

For Non-Divers (and Divers alike) the package includes all of the above that do not relate to diving, plus: 

• Complimentary daily resort activities: water aerobics, beach and pool volleyball, salsa lessons, Spanish lessons, and more! 
• Complimentary introductory scuba course for non-divers. 
• On-site water sports center for rentals of boogie boards, paddle boards, kayaks, wave runner tours, bicycles and more! CLICK HERE for a complete list.
• On-site casino open evenings with the latest slot machines, video poker and video roulette.
• The OnZen spa will offer DFL participants a 15% discount on all services (excluding manicures, pedicures or beach massages). CLICK HERE for a full list of services. NOTE: Both male and female therapists are on staff.
• Extend your Costa Rican adventure with discounted optional add-on land packages and tours available before and after the DFL week’s event.
• Take the shuttle into Tamarindo for a half- or a full-day to explore the shopping, restaurants or surfing beach.
• The varied terrain, temperate climate, and diversity of wilderness reserves in Costa Rica provide an abundance of outdoor activities and adventures to explore. Optional tours and excursions are available for purchase upon your arrival at the resort. CLICK HERE for a list of some of those tours.
• Curious about SCUBA diving? The on-site Aqua Center offers the opportunity to experience scuba diving. Optional programs are available, from testing the waters with a resort diving course to going all the way with a full scuba certification.

Not included in the package: Air travel, premium alcoholic beverages, and activities / excursions not listed in the Trip Package.

Evening activities and nightlife:

In addition to daily adventures, beach and pool time, and fun group activities each day - the evenings will be filled with:

• Gay Outdoors Members' Meet-and-Greet Rendezvous 
• Sunday Night Theme Party 
• Costa Rica Night Party 
• Silent/Live Auction & Raffle 
• Costume Party

Rates and Reservations:

There are double occupancy and single occupancy rates for different room accommodation categories for the 7 night all-inclusive trip for non-scuba divers and for scuba divers.

Double Occupancy (Per Person)

• Standard Room: Non-Diver - $1,140 /  Diver - $1,780
• Studio Room: Non-Diver - $1,210 /  Diver - $1,850
• Pool View Room: Non-Diver - $1,310 /  Diver - $1,950
• Suites: Non-Diver - $1,810 /  Diver - $2,450

Single Occupancy

• Standard Room: Non-Diver - $1,440 /  Diver - $2,080
• Pool View Room: Non-Diver - $1,610 /  Diver - $2,250

Need A Roommate?
Are you traveling alone and in need of a roommate?  They will be happy to match you with a roommate to make your trip more pleasurable and affordable. When making your online reservation, simply choose a double occupancy accommodation when you your room, and then choose "yes" when asked if you would like DFL to find a roommate for you. Not only does sharing a room allow you to meet a new travel companion in the group right away, but it also saves you money on the single occupancy rate . Many of the roommates paired up end up being great friends!

Once you sign up, please go to the Diving For Life (DFL) website for complete information details and registration.

About Diving For Life

Going into its 24th year, Diving For Life (a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation) sponsors and books a dedicated resort for a life affirming week of GLBT diving, outdoor adventure, entertainment and camaraderie. The proceeds of the event are donated to charitable organizations. Thanks to Diving For Life Jamborees, GLBT scuba divers and outdoor enthusiasts from around the globe have helped to raise OVER $1.1 MILLION dollars for people living with AIDS and other Lesbian and Gay health concerns.

A small group of volunteers create and coordinate the event each year.  No one gets paid or earns any commissions from these trips.  Money is raised through a tax-deductible contribution included in the rate, along with raffles and auctions of donated items, held during the week of the trip.  All money raised goes directly to other non-profit GLBT health-related charities.

Here is what I will do for better coordination for GO members:

Activities: There so many activities and choices available.  Some may want to kayak, some hike, others zipline, some rafting, and many other choices.  On the first day Saturday evening, we will set up a meet-and-greet for GO members (and others who want to join) to review available activity options and create a group sign up for the non-diving activities and excursions during the week. People with like-interests will participate in activities together.  This will be available all week for others to opt in or out as interests and needs change during the week.

Meals: The restaurant will serve each meal for three-hour periods where people choose their own schedule for eating, mostly guided by that day’s activity schedule.  If someone is going ziplining or diving that leaves at 7:30am, they will eat early, but if someone is going horseback riding that leaves at 9am, they will eat (and sleep) a little later.  Their eating rhythms will match with whom they are sharing activities.  That creates a natural coordination of eating together.

Daily Happy Hour Meet Ups: I will establish daily evening “happy hour” meet ups.  Allowing people to review their day together, and plan and coordinate their dinner or evening activities.