DBC, a hidden Gem! - Dive Base Coiba is definitely a top notch Dive Center and more than that. Pixvae is a lost paradise!. Look no further if you’re and adventurous person who’s willing to... read more have a real life experience at all levels.
Pixvae is a very remote village located in the Veraguas province, -just in front of the Coiba National Park, even closer than Santa Catalina- with less than 500 residents, (very friendly BTW) away from the ordinary modern world commodities (there’s no cellphone signal nor Internet access –except on weekends between 5pm and 8pm-), and electricity is provided by solar panels. To get there it takes between 2 to 3hrs from the town of Sona. The drive there is intended to be made with a 4WD. The drive over mountain ridges and passes, rain forest, small creeks and amazing landscapes, starts to make your trip a truly out-of this world experience. On our way in into Pixvae, we were driving at night and so a clear clean dark night made it even more special and mystic. The area of Pixvae is still so pure and away from city lights that you can definitely spend all night awake looking at the sky and stars. We were amazed of the fact that we were able to see the band of white light of the milky way arching across the sky with our own eyes.
As soon as you enter the town you feel the amazing vibes and relaxed living on the shore of a beautiful bay.
Once in the place, you’re welcomed by Kevan Mantell, what an AWESOME guy. From the very moment you shake his hand and start talking to him you feel the presence of a highly knowledgeable professional. Kevan and his team (Luz and Silveria) at Hostal Yosi will make you feel at an old friend’s home. The place is simply, comfortable, clean and just perfect to start a magic journey around the area (there’s even an option to have a fuel power-plant to recharge your cameras, lights and even turn on the A/C on the rooms). They cook amazing-tasteful local meals, using very fresh ingredients, ohh, remember to ask for Kevan’s home made spicy sauce.
The diving experience: WOW, AMAZING!, as soon as you enter the door of the CDB, Kevan will treat you as a family member, he’s not just a divemaster, a truly professional with detailed attention to details, safety (Radios both in land as in the boat, first aid kits, oxygen, GPS, even marine sonars) and provides you top class diving equipment. At the dive center, the first thing you’ll notice is a big map of the Coiba National Park and Isla Contreras area, he'll give you a really comprehensive overview of the marine biology, environmental history, geological history of the park and the surrounding area to which after an initial individual assessment made by him of your diving experience and of course weather / water conditions, will explain and decide the places to go.
Kevan knows this area like the palm of his hand. He has been diving the area for over 20 years, in which he has led research expeditions for the BBC, National Geographic, the European Space Agency, Smithsonian, UNESCO, even celebrities, so basically you’re with an all-in-one “open book” modern Cousteau dive professional, marine biologist, climatologist, research scientist, environment and conservationist. His knowledge of the Pacific Latin America island ecosystem (Cocos, Coiba, Malpelo & Galapagos) will delight you for hours and hours.
Diving in Coiba and Contreras means strong currents, on this season there was great visibility and cool water temperature and full of marine life of all types (sharks, seahorses, school of barracudas, lobsters, etc., even whales), Kevan took us out to explore a new diving site (you my ask him for “bajo tico”) and it’s amazing coral life and deeeeeeeeep walls. On our second to last dive of the 2nd day of diving we were delighted with sound of surrounding whales, which at the end of our dive (while at the safety stop) one of the whales passed by less than 60feet away from us), this leaves you speechless.
Once back on land, and our last night of dives and expedition in Pixvae, Kevan invited us to his home for an incredible dinner and an amazing chat on many many topics. Definitely worth every second with DBC and their amazing people.
Can’t wait to be there back soon!
