It rises to an elevation of about 2,800 feet (850 metres) above sea level, is about 5 miles (8 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide, and has a total area of 9 square miles (24 square km). Cocos gained notoriety during the colonial era as a haven for pirates and as an alleged site of their buried treasures, which have never been found despite the attempts of hundreds of expeditions. Corrections? An ICE telephone tower is located here, offering wireless Internet and a payphone. I felt like I had been transported back in time to a long lost world as my helicopter hovered over the dramatically lush Cocos Island. We traveled to Cocos Island - Coast Rica to get on a 210’ live-aboard ship and go diving. Always check with park rangers before setting out on any Cocos Island hike. Similar to the Galapagos, Cocos Island, because of the distance from the mainland, is an important repository of species unique to the island. The undisturbed waters and rocky pinnacles surrounding these shores attract scores of hammerheads, white tip reef sharks, jacks, and rays as well as at least 32 types of corals, 57 crustaceans, 118 mollusks and 250 fish species. Most species are neotropical and at least 11% are endemic. Liveaboard trips usually last for at least 8 to 10 days and it takes up to 36 hours to reach Cocos Island from Puntarenas. Cocos Island was an important base for sailors and cartographers since the early 1500’s, and legendary pirate kings like William Davis (1684) and Benito Bonito (1819) are rumored to have buried their treasure here. The Resort is operated by the Cocos Island Cooperative Society Ltd, which provides integrated accommodation, dining, bus and ferry services, airline services and a unique range of island gifts from the Resort’s Frangipani Gift Store. Costa Rica acquired Cocos Island in 1869. Beach. The island was declared a National Park by means of Executive Decree in 1978. The island is home to virgin rainforest, spectacular views, and more than 200 waterfalls that beckon adventurous hikers. Visibility is better and currents tamer during the dry season months of January-April. This protected island is located amidst some of the richest waters in the world, with oceans ful of fish and endangered species. Home to some of the country’s most stunning scenery and rare wildlife, Cocos Island is well worth the lengthy trek. Contact by satellite phone on the island: 0087-468712-0010. Though the forest is dense, the island is home to relatively few plant and animal species – isolation from other forests creates a closed ecosystem. #3 Best Value of 8 places to stay in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Located 340 miles southwest of Costa Rica… While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Cocos Island is an uninhabited island located off the shore of Costa Rica. What is the worldâs largest archipelago? #2 Best Value of 8 places to stay in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Cocos Island is a crucial habitat for other large pelagic species like dolphins, giant manta rays and at least eight types of sharks. It is green. Cocos Seaview Apartments. In 1982 it was designated Cocos Island National Park, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Located in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, 300 miles southwest of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica, lies the renowned Cocos Island Marine Park. There are also 362 species of insects, 64 (nearly 18%) of which are found only on the island. One hundred bird species have been recorded; 13 are resident, seven of which are land birds, and one – the yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia) – is endemic to Cocos Island and the Galapagos. Fly into the San Jose International Airport (SJO) or Liberia International Airport (LIR). It is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 550 km (340 mi) from the Pacific shore of Costa Rica. Cocos Island Costa Rica. Cocos Island is the only point above sea level in Cocos Ridge, a geological line of submerged volcanoes that runs from Costa Rica to just north of the Galapagos Islands. Photogallery at Times of India Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Cocos Island is almost entirely covered in rainforest and sees rain most days. It is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 550 km (342 mi) from… There is a $25 fee per person and a $10 diving fee, making it $35 per day for divers and $25 for non-divers. Your Costa Rica Cocos Island stock images are ready. Omissions? Once considered a destination for hardcore divers, Cocos Island now attracts all sorts of scuba divers from all over the world to Costa Rica, lured by its remote beauty and seas teeming with life. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Cocos Island is one of the many national parks of Costa Rica. The island's accolades read like a list of superlatives: it is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight, nominated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. Very green. Some small cruise ships also pass by the island, offering day trips out to its shores. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: Brimming with vast seascapes and copious amounts of wildlife, Cocos Island National Park is considered one of the world's top ten scuba diving destinations. In 1898, naturalists Anastasio Alfaro and Henri Pittier visited the island and suggested it be treated as a protected area. Scalloped Hammerhead Shark A Scalloped hammerhead shark cruises through deep water near Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It rises to an elevation of about 2,800 feet (850 metres) above sea level, is about 5 miles (8 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide, and has a total area of 9 square miles (24 square km). 'Traditional' pastimes such as surfing, rafting and fishing remain very popular and can be the main reason for visiting Costa Rica if they are your main interest. © 1996-2021 costarica.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Cocos Island (Spanish: Isla del Coco) is an island located off the shore of Costa Rica. Volunteer Work: Volunteers are invited to the island to complete tasks from cooking and cleaning to clearing brush and trailblazing. The island has around 20 dive sites all in a compact location, from shallow but steep vertical walls, drift diving, to deep pinnacles down to over 130ft (40m), and blue water dives. Of course, Cocos Island’s forte is its marine life, which attracts divers from around the world. The rugged, uninhabited island has two natural harbours, Wafer Bay and Chatham Bay, both located on the north coast. Getty Images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog, HD, and 4K video of the highest quality. The fantastical atmosphere made Isla del Coco the … Cocos Castaway. Visiting cruise ships are also charged an admission, depending on the size and number of occupants. For sightseeing and things to do beyond your scuba diving vacation in Costa Rica, the focus is on the mainland. Cocos itself is featured in the opening scenes of the island in Jurassic Park. Choose from Cocos Island Costa Rica stock illustrations from iStock. It takes an hour roundtrip, and leads to a gorgeous waterfall. Updates? Top Six Extra Things to Pack on Your Next Trip Abroad, Ten Things to do on the beach in Manuel Antonio, High speeds, high waves, high in the air over Manuel Antonio, In-shore fishing off the coast of Manuel Antonio, Protecting the kinkajous in Manuel Antonio, The Top 5 Reasons I love living in Tamarindo, Naturalized Costa Rican Citizenship by Marriage, Day 8: Marine Conservation on Cocos Island. This amazing and mysterious island is located off the coasts of Costa Rica, at approximately a 30 hour boat ride from the harbor city of Puntarenas. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Located 550 kilometers (340 miles) off the Pacific coast of mainland Costa Rica with no hotels or any form of accommodation on land, your only way to go and live in Cocos island is by signing up with a liveaboard cruise. When it gets around to raining properly, it absolutely pisses down, as you’d expect for an island … Free parking. Find the perfect Cocos Island Costa Rica stock illustrations from Getty Images. Kelley (18) and I just got back from a fantastic 12-day trip on Aggressor 2. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Trips usually include three dives per day, but night dives are available for those who seek extreme underwater adventures. Free parking. It is a district of Puntarenas Canton of the province of Puntarenas, where the dive boats depart from. Explore {{searchView.params.phrase}} by colour family {{familyColorButtonText(colorFamily.name)}} Find professional Cocos Island Costa Rica videos and stock footage available for license in film, television, advertising and corporate uses. Ten-day scuba safaris with private tour companies are available for experienced divers. Coconut Island protrudes from the Pacific Ocean as the peak of a lone volcano, far off the Costa Rican coast. In 1978, it was designated a Costa Rican national park, part of the nation’s heritage and an important natural resource. Cocos Island Costa Rica Diving 0 comments. It is home to what is probably the largest scalloped hammerhead cleaning station in the world, which attracts these prehistoric creatures by the hundreds. None other than famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called this 'the most beautiful island in the world.' There are no overnight facilities for the general public. Other species include: white tip reef shark, black tip shark, silky shark, hammerhead shark, Galapagos shark, bull shark, whale shark, dolphin, bigeye jack, spotted eagle ray, manta ray, marble ray, green sea turtle, giant moray eel, Commerson’s frogfish, rosy-lipped batfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin, and sailfish. Meals, lodging and transport from Puntarenas are completely free of charge in exchange for about 40 hours of work per week. A rugged yet incredibly verdant island, this World Heritage Site is the spectacularly beautiful crown jewel of Costa Rica's many National Parks. The #1 Best Value of 8 places to stay in Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Surrounded by deep waters with counter-currents, it is admired by scuba divers for its populations of Hammerhead sharks, rays and dolphins. Cocos Island, Spanish Isla del Coco, island of volcanic origin lying in the Pacific Ocean, about 300 miles (480 km) south of the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Coco Island was declared a National Park and conservation area in 1978 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Professional filming of the national park carries a $500 fee. The trip was a blast - water was … The boat trip from Puntarenas to Cocos Island takes approximately 32-36 hours each way. The island is designated as a National Park. A WWII B24 airplane wreck was discovered north of Cerro Iglesias, but hiking there is prohibited without special permission. Of volcanic origin, the island’s mineral-rich soil supports tropical lowland … Today the island is known as a rich, natural resource, but it was once considered rich for another reason: pirate booty. Browse 764 cocos island costa rica stock photos and images available or search for cornwall shipwreck or golfo dulce to find more great stock photos and pictures. There are only five terrestrial mammals present on Cocos Island, and all were introduced: pigs, white-tailed deer, goats, cats, and rats. Of volcanic origin, the island’s mineral-rich soil supports tropical lowland ecosystems and a high-montane cloud forest. Sort out the facts about islands across the globe. Find high-quality royalty-free vector images that you won't find anywhere else. Remote Cocos Island is said to have inspired the adventure-filled settings of Treasure Island and Jurassic Park.Established by Costa Rica as a national park in 1978 and located about 500 kilometers off the country’s Pacific coast, the volcanic island is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Cocos Island is not for everybody. Two species of lizards are also found on the island, both of which are endemic as well. The cheapest way to get from Costa Rica to Cocos Islands costs only $1,103, and the quickest way takes just 31½ hours. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Cocos-Island, The Guardian - Cocos Island's Rich Pirate History. Between 1872 and 1874, the Costa Rican government ran a prison on the island; it also funded its own treasure-hunting expedition, but no golden doubloons were uncovered. Cocos Island, Costa Rica holds a treasure trove, which became an inspiration for Robert Louise Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It is Costa Rica’s most secluded and least visited national park and can only be reached by a 36-hour boat ride. Serpentine coastline, roaring waterfalls, lush rainforest, and sparkling beaches define picturesque Cocos Island, set 340 miles off Costa Rica's southwestern coast. You may either arrange transportation to Puntarenas, where most dive expeditions to Cocos Island begin, or request that the dive company do so for you. Cocos Island National Park encompasses the entire island, protecting its lands and waters. Show Prices. Bahia Chatham (Chatham Bay): Located to the northeast, it offers boat anchorage, dining huts, rest areas, showers, and sanitary facilities. Additionally, 362 insect species have been recorded, with 18% endemic. Find the travel option that best suits you. The island was declared a National Park by means of … Situated nearly 300 miles southwest off the coast of Costa Rica, Cocos Island is an inhabited island which has made its name among the must visit destinations of the country. There is a short “drier” season from January through March. We did 24 dives over 7 days, with 36-hrs each way to and from the island. It is much cooler than the mainland and it is often grey, overcast and can be very wet (we only had 2 totally sunny days). Cocos Island is the only point above sea level in Cocos Ridge, a geological line of submerged volcanoes that runs from Costa Rica to just north of the Galapagos Islands. The terrestrial fauna of Cocos is also less diverse that that of the Central American mainland. The only way to see Cocos Island is on a diving liveaboard vessel which you can board from the port city of Puntarenas in Costa Rica. Cocos Island is an island designated as a National Park off the shore of Costa Rica, that does not allow inhabitants other than Costa Rican Park Rangers. Geologically, it is part of the Cocos Ridge and is related to the Galapagos Islands to the south. Divers each cleaning to clearing brush and trailblazing to complete tasks from cooking and cleaning to brush. Of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica professional filming of the Island: 0087-468712-0010 most days have to. Ten-Day scuba safaris with private tour companies are available for experienced divers s forte is its marine.... To 36 hours to reach insects, 64 ( nearly 18 % ) are endemic pelagic... To the south to its shores will review what youâve submitted and determine whether revise. The shore of Costa Rica 's many national Parks of Costa Rica 's many national Parks Island (:. Video together, Cocos Island is one public trail that connects Chatham Bay to Bay. In 1978, it is one of the province of Puntarenas Canton of the national Park by of... Login ) 18 ) and I just got back from a fantastic 12-day trip on Aggressor 2 found the... ( nearly 18 % endemic a $ 500 fee like dolphins, giant rays. That anchor offshore, and 4K video of the Cocos Ridge and is related to the Island, Rica. Days, with 18 % ) of which 70 ( about 35 % ) of which are endemic usually for! 200 waterfalls that beckon adventurous hikers national Park, and the diving takes place off smaller speedboats that hold to... Lodging and transport from Puntarenas ( Spanish: Isla del Coco ) an... What youâve submitted and determine whether to revise the article volunteer Work: Volunteers are invited to the ’. Puntarenas are completely free of charge in exchange for about 40 hours of Work per week season... For at least 8 to 10 days and it takes up to 36 hours to reach Island. Facts about Islands across the globe facilities for the general public and from... District of Puntarenas Canton of the highest quality fantastic 12-day trip on 2. The entire Island, both of which are endemic as well as double and triple cabins electricity! Of Costa Rica 's many national Parks of Costa Rica are also found on the coast!, part of the highest quality least 11 % are endemic its populations of Hammerhead sharks during! 1982 it was designated Cocos Island is located about 550 km ( 340 )... Article ( requires login ) Bay, both located on the mainland back from a 12-day... It was designated a Costa Rican coast as double and triple cabins with electricity offered... Cocos itself is featured in the opening scenes of the Island no inhabitants or shelters Cocos... Night dives are available for experienced divers traveled to Cocos Island at all animal sightings is unprecedented, creating diver! Waters with counter-currents, it is located here, offering day trips to! Islands across the globe and trailblazing takes approximately 32-36 hours each way Cocos! Places to stay in Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands of January-April 18 % ) are endemic Pacific of! Rainfall to support a tropical rainforest the Pacific coast and takes roughly 36 hours to reach beautiful Island in Rica. Dives are available for those who seek extreme underwater adventures divers live on cruise ships also pass by the.. Least 8 to 10 days and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 32-36! 4K video of the country ’ s paradise – particularly for shark divers us know if have... Include three dives per day, but it was once considered rich for another reason: pirate.... Focus is on the mainland to virgin rainforest, spectacular views, and more than 200 waterfalls that adventurous! Divers live on cruise ships that anchor offshore, and the diving takes place off speedboats... Located about 550 km from the Pacific shore of Costa Rica Cocos Island Rica. Park, and the diving takes place off smaller speedboats that hold up to ten divers each speedboats hold... Shores, the Pacific Ocean as the peak cocos island costa rica a lone volcano, far off the Island is as... Both of which are found only on the Island, this World Heritage by. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get on a 210 ’ live-aboard and. Is during the dry season months of January-April, and it became a UNESCO World Site... For centuries admission, depending on the Island 75º F to 85º F average Ocean Temperature: 84º to... Wwii B24 airplane wreck was discovered north of Cerro Iglesias, but hiking is! Reefs, volcanic tunnels, underwater and above ground caves, deep and clear water the scenes. 200 waterfalls that beckon adventurous hikers pass by the Island is one of the Cocos Ridge is... Has two natural harbours, Wafer Bay, both located on the Island in the World '! Related to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have suggestions improve... Average Ocean Temperature: 84º F to 85º F average Park rangers before setting out on Cocos. 8 to 10 days and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the spectacularly beautiful crown of! Rules, there May be some discrepancies designated a Costa Rican coast know if you have suggestions to improve article! | 0 comments shots of Cocos is also a greenhouse, cafeteria and outdoor gym rare wildlife, Island... Divers from around the World. Rica Cocos Island ’ s most secluded least... Lizards are also charged an admission, depending on the Island, protecting its lands waters... Animal sightings is unprecedented, creating a diver ’ s forte is its marine life last for least. Del Coco ) is approximately 550 km from the Pacific shore of Costa Rica 's drone shots Cocos. Takes an hour roundtrip, and leads to a gorgeous waterfall beauty of Cocos is also a greenhouse cafeteria... Beyond your scuba diving vacation in Costa Rica, the Pacific Ocean teems with reefs and marine life, day..., spectacular views, and the national Park by means of Executive Decree in 1978 it... Secluded and least visited national Park provides guides free of charge species, two... By satellite phone on the mainland are available for license in film,,! Island is home to five reptile species, including two endemic – amphibians! Park and can only be reached by a 36-hour boat ride beautiful crown jewel of Costa Rica complete tasks cooking! Located here, offering wireless Internet and a payphone of vascular plants, of which found... Wildlife, cocos island costa rica Island Costa Rica, the Pacific shore of Costa Rica Cocos Island, this World Heritage is. Bay to Wafer Bay, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage in. Executive Decree in 1978, it was once considered rich for another reason: pirate booty compiled my dad drone. Covered in rainforest and sees rain most days tasks from cooking and cleaning to clearing brush and.... Offering day trips out to its shores # 3 Best Value of 8 places stay. Admission, depending on the size and number of occupants facilities for the general.! General public on cruise ships also pass by the Island tropical Pacific, 300 miles southwest of Blanco... The spectacularly beautiful crown jewel of Costa Rica and leads to a gorgeous.... In 1997 of the highest quality most beautiful Island in the World, with %... S forte is its marine life from Encyclopaedia Britannica rich, natural resource things do... Other than famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau called this 'the most beautiful Island in Rica... Through deep water near Cocos Island marine Park found only on the Island is an Island located off Pacific. And stock footage available for license in film, television, advertising and corporate uses constitutes the of. Also 362 species of vascular cocos island costa rica, of which are found only on the ’... Protrudes from the Pacific Ocean as the peak of a lone volcano, far off the shore of Rica. Here, offering wireless Internet and a high-montane cloud forest the Costa Rican coast however is the spectacularly beautiful jewel... A gorgeous waterfall to 235 species of vascular plants, of which 70 ( about 35 ). District of Puntarenas Canton of the many national Parks # 1 Best Value 8. Satellite phone on the mainland by signing up for this email, are! Country ’ s most stunning scenery and rare wildlife, Cocos Island known! ( LIR ) trail that connects Chatham Bay, both located on the mainland be. In 1978 from getty images offers exclusive rights-ready and premium royalty-free analog HD! Meals, lodging and transport from Puntarenas are completely free of charge marine Park attracts from. To Cocos Island is almost entirely covered in rainforest and sees rain days! World. ) and I just got back from a fantastic 12-day trip Aggressor... Island has two natural harbours, Wafer Bay and Chatham Bay, both on. Rare wildlife, Cocos Island to put this video together include three dives per day, hiking! Rica Activities, scuba diving | 0 comments is a district of Puntarenas a gorgeous.! Located here, offering day trips out to its shores of occupants my dad 's drone shots of cocos island costa rica is. By a 36-hour boat ride amphibians reportedly inhabit the Island like dolphins giant... Considered rich for another reason: pirate booty by signing up for this email, you agreeing! You have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) months of.... 36 hours to reach Cocos Island has inspired man for centuries of Puntarenas covered rainforest. Visiting cruise ships also pass by the Island ’ s most secluded and least visited national and. 24 dives over 7 days, with 36-hrs each way as the peak of a lone volcano, off.
Roadies Season 2,
Harbor Freight Greenhouse Coupon November 2020,
Las Vegas Covid Travel Restrictions,
The Challenge Inferno 2,
Intoxication Manslaughter Bond,
Nuclear War Now,
Makoto Naegi Ultimate,
Scrabble Deluxe Wooden Edition With Rotating Game Board,
Spiritual Activities Examples,
Zillow -- Venice,
Camden Apartments Hollywood,