The Triple Sensations are three adventure resorts representing distinct areas in the Central American nation of Costa Rica. For divers, this presents an opportunity to experience some of Costa Rica's best diving and also sample the country's acclaimed ecotourism attractions.1) El Ocotal Resort, the first Sensation, covers the ground from a towering bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean down to a sweeping bayfront, giving great access to Costa Rica's Mecca for diving, the Gulf of Papagayo. 2) Hotel Chachagua, the second Sensation, is nestled into a mountainside in the geologically active central spine of Costa Rica. 3) Finally, Mawamba occupies a site on a large ''bar'' of land, with the mangrove-bordered canals of a dense rain forest on one side and the wild Caribbean Sea on the other.EL OCOTAL RESORT El Ocotal is the only one of the Triple Sensations that caters to divers. The nine-member staff at its PADI Dive Center oversees trips to some of the more popular Papagayo dive spots, including Punta Gorda and Suprisa.For a slight extra fee, divers can enjoy such not-to-be-missed spots as Catalina Island and Black Rock and Big Scare at the Bat Islands.Whale sharks, hawksbill turtles, bull sharks, harlequin shrimp, white-tip reef sharks, massive manta rays, spotted dolphins, schooling Southern rays and neon-colored eels are all relatively common sights for divers in this region.HOTEL CHACHAGUA Hotel Chachagua sits at the end of a long, beaten path near the base of the famous Aranel volcano. Chachagua is a name mixing native Indian and Spanish that means ''much water.'' The 400-acre site, which was formerly a dairy farm, includes a waterfall and an active stream that forms mill ponds and wading pools.Hikers on the resort's trails can see wild toucans, poison-arrow ''blue-jean'' tree frogs, transparent butterflies, macaws, leaf-cutter ants and pencil-thin green vipers.Two years ago, owner Carlos Salazar initiated an animal rehabilitation project at Chachagua. Native animals, taken from their environment and improperly domesticated, now arrive at the resort and spend time at its rehabilitation area until their instincts return and they are able to fend for themselves in the expanses of rain forest just beyond Chachagua's borders. The resort has successfully reintroduced a variety of monkeys (spider and white-faced) and birds (toucans, macaws, parrots and parakeets).Beyond these ''wild'' animals, Carlos raises champion show horses on the property as well as geese, chickens and sheep. In addition to the other horses that guests can ride on the mountain paths, there are still enough remaining cows to provide all of the milk and cheese needed at Chachagua.MAWAMBA LODGE Maw-amba, which means ''power'' in Swahili, also provides guests with ample opportunities to experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Flat-bottomed canal boats quietly ferry nature-lovers along the watery paths of the Tortuguero National Park, navigating through seemingly impenetrable jungle. Whited-faced, howler and spider monkeys fly through trees spanning the canals with graceful leaps. Crocodiles idle near water's edge with only their eyes, underbites and scaly ridges visible. On the opposite side of the bar, Mawamba fronts a stretch of the Caribbean that is notorious for its powerful undertows. This area is the foremost nesting area for sea turtles in the entire Western Hemisphere. Female green sea turtles and hawksbills come by the thousands, along with some leatherbacks and loggerheads, to lay eggs in nests on Tortuguero beach. The turtles and the nests are protected under Costa Rican law.The three locations - Pacific, Caribbean and volcanic mountain chain - boast different, yet equally enticing, natural sensations.The El Ocotal Resort and Chachagua Lodge are easily accessible by car. Mawamba Lodge can be reached via a short prop-plane commuter flight from San Jose, Costa Rica's capital. EL OCOTAL RESORTDIVING: Many local dive sites are less than 30 minutes away by boat. The daytime trips feature two-tank dives. There are also local night dives.Dive Boats: The resort's full-service PADI Dive Center operates four boats. The Anita and the Jeannie are 32-footers with twin inboard engines that are strictly dedicated for diving. The other two boats are adapted for either diving or open-water sport fishing. ACCOMMODATIONS: Since opening in 1980, the resort has expanded from its original six duplex bungalows, main building and pool to its current size of 59 rooms with three pools, two restaurants, a snack bar, tennis and volleyball courts and outdoor gym. FOR MORE INFORMATION - Click on the home page below. CHACHAGUA LODGEACCOMMODATIONS: A rustic resort with 25 ''cabinas'' made from local hardwoods. Though the mountain climate does not require air conditioning, each room has a ceiling fan. Bathrooms feature ''greenhouse'' style glass-roof showers. The restaurant/bar serves three meals daily. The on-site meeting hall offers satellite TV. There is a pool and two wading pools. FOR MORE INFORMATION - Bookings can be made through the following companies:Avanti Dimensions - Phone: 800-422-5053 (West of the Mississippi River); 800-656-2744 (East of the Mississippi River) Overseas Adventure Travel - Phone: 800-493-6824.Sunny Land Tours - Phone: 800-783-7839. Fax: 201-487-1546. MAWAMBA LODGEACCOMMODATIONS: Fifty-four rooms with private bathrooms, hot water and ceiling fans. The hotel facilities include two docks on the canals, two restaurants, a swimming pool with waterfall, palapas with hammocks, sand volleyball court and conference room. FOR MORE INFORMATION - Phone: 011-506-223-7490. Fax: 011-506-222-5463. For general information about Costa Rica....