Yes! Costa Rica is an excellent destination for fly fishing. In freshwater, anglers can target rainbow bass (guapote) and machaca in rivers and lakes. On the coasts, fly fishing for roosterfish, jacks, and snook is very popular inshore. Some specialized charters also set up offshore fly trips for sailfish and even marlin, offering a true big-game fly fishing experience.
Costa Rica is home to both saltwater and freshwater species. Offshore you’ll find marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. Inshore you can target roosterfish, snapper, snook, and jacks. Freshwater rivers and lakes hold rainbow bass (guapote) and machaca.
Fishing is productive year-round, but peak seasons vary by species and coast:
Pacific Coast: Sailfish (Dec–Apr), Marlin (Sept–Nov), Tuna & Dorado (year-round).
Caribbean Coast: Tarpon & Snook (best Sept–Nov, Feb–May).
Freshwater: Rainbow bass and machaca are consistent throughout the year, with slightly better activity in the rainy season.
Yes. All anglers must obtain an individual license. A monthly permit costs around $15 USD and a daily one about $17 USD. Some charters include a basic license, but it’s recommended to purchase your own.
Options range from small pangas (good for inshore trips) to fully equipped sportfishing yachts with fighting chairs, outriggers, and electronics. Most charters include rods, reels, bait, and tackle—though some anglers bring their own gear, especially for fly fishing.
Both exist. Most charters are private, giving you the boat and crew to yourself. Shared trips are less common but can be a budget-friendly option in popular areas like Quepos, Tamarindo, and Los Sueños.
Catch-and-release is strongly encouraged for billfish (marlin and sailfish). Edible species like mahi-mahi, tuna, snapper, and wahoo can usually be kept, and many captains will fillet your catch so you can enjoy it at a local restaurant.
Prices vary by location, boat size, and trip length:
Half-day inshore trips: $400–$700
Full-day offshore trips: $1,000–$2,000+
Freshwater trips: $250–$500
Booking through trusted platforms like PescaYa ensures fair pricing and vetted captains.
Essentials include sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, light breathable clothing, non-slip shoes, and a camera. Most charters provide drinks and snacks, but always confirm ahead of time.
In major fishing hubs like Los Sueños, Quepos, and Tamarindo, many captains and crews speak English. In remote areas, Spanish is more common, but you’ll still find experienced crews who know how to guide international anglers.
The Pacific Coast is more famous worldwide for sportfishing, with large marlin and sailfish runs, especially near Quepos and Los Sueños. The Caribbean Coast is wilder, with legendary tarpon and snook fishing in places like Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado. Both are excellent—it depends on your target species.
Costa Rica is repeatedly ranked among the world’s premier sportfishing destinations, and with good reason. The country’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts are home to marlin, sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, tuna, and countless inshore species. Unlike destinations with limited seasons, Costa Rica offers year-round round action and one of the most consistent billfish bites on Earth. Offshore anglers regularly enjoy double-digit sailfish days in calm 1–2 ft seas during the dry season, while a network of modern marinas like Los Sueños and Marina Pez Vela provides state-of-the-art infrastructure.
From world-class tournaments to FAD (fish-aggregating device) expeditions, the country’s fishing culture seamlessly blends conservation with excitement. Billfish (marlin, sailfish, and roosterfish) are strictly catch-and-release, and circle hooks are mandatory, ensuring the resource remains healthy for future generations. Whether you’re new to deep-sea angling or have chased pelagics around the globe, this guide will help you plan a Costa Rica fishing charter.
Throughout this guide, you’ll find helpful tips and information. If you’re ready to experience Costa Rica’s legendary bite, book your fishing trip now with PescaYa—the premier platform for Costa Rican charters. The earlier you reserve, the better your chances of securing the ideal boat and dates.
Costa Rica’s waters teem with game fish. Peak times vary by species, but there’s always something biting.
Best months: November–February and June–August (for FAD trips).
Hotspots: Los Sueños, Quepos, Golfito, and offshore seamounts.
Tip: November–January provides a shot at a Grand Slam—catching three species of marlin in one day.
FAD operations run 60–130 miles offshore, usually requiring multi-night trips. The advent of these anchored FADs has produced incredibly productive blue marlin fishing from mid-spring through mid-fall.
Best months: December–April.
Hotspots: Central and southern Pacific (Los Sueños and Quepos).
Sailfish can be numerous enough that double-digit days are not uncommon. These fish average 75–100 pounds and are often taken on trolled, rigged ballyhoo.
Best months: October–December for trophy-sized fish; May–August for plentiful, smaller fish.
Hotspots: Quepos, Tamarindo, and Papagayo.
Look for floating trash lines created by river runoff—the perfect habitat for dorado.
Best months: Peak from December–March, but available year-round.
Hotspots: Herradura, Quepos, Drake Bay, and Nicoya. These inshore bruisers thrive around rocky points, islands and river mouths.
Best months: May–October, though tuna are now seen every week of the year thanks to Costa Rica’s “tuna decree” that pushed commercial purse seiners offshore.
Hotspots: Offshore Pacific waters.
Tuna often swim below pods of spinner dolphins; look for diving birds to locate them.
Best months: January–May and September–October.
Hotspots: Caribbean river mouths such as Barra del Colorado and Tortuguero. Calm seas are essential for safe passage.
Snapper & Grouper: Available year-round with peaks during the green season.
Wahoo: Best from May to July, particularly around Tamarindo and Papagayo.
The Central Pacific is Costa Rica’s most famous sportfishing region. World?class marinas provide easy access to offshore hotspots like The Corner and The Craters. Peak billfish season runs December–April, although excellent marlin fishing also occurs May–July. The area hosts major tournaments such as the Los Sueños Triple Crown and Offshore World Championship. Runs to the fishing grounds are typically 22–28 miles, taking 45–60 minutes.
The northern Pacific offers calm seas during the green season (May–October) and is renowned for dorado, wahoo, tuna and inshore species. Tamarindo and Flamingo are gateways to the Gulf of Papagayo, where sailfish, marlin and roosterfish roam year?round. FAD trips to seamounts are also popular during May–September.
Remote and wild, the southern Pacific region is ideal for anglers seeking solitude and adventure. Peak season runs December–April. The area offers world?class roosterfish action and FAD marlin trips. Many charters operate overnight expeditions to offshore seamounts.
Known primarily for giant tarpon and snook, the Caribbean Coast peaks January–May and September–October. Tours often depart from Barra del Colorado or Tortuguero. Experienced captains navigate river mouths and nearshore lagoons, where calm conditions are critical..
Offshore trips typically begin with a 45–60 minute run to the continental shelf. Boats troll teasers and ballyhoo rigs for marlin, sailfish, tuna, and dorado. On FAD trips, overnight expeditions can yield blue marlin “grand slams”. Inshore trips stay within sight of land (usually within 25 miles), targeting roosterfish, snapper, grouper, mackerel, and jacks via live baiting, jigging, and casting.
Full Day Charters (9–10 hours): Depart around 7 a.m. and return between 4:30 – 5 p.m.. They include a light lunch, fruit, snacks, beer, bottled water and sodas.
Half Day Charters (4.5–5 hours): Depart at 7 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., returning at midday or sunset. They include snacks, soft drinks, beer and water. Half-day trips are great for inshore action, but they provide less fishing time due to the transit to and from the spots.
Multi-Day/FAD Trips: Spend two or more nights offshore targeting blue marlin and tuna around anchored FADs. These trips require larger boats with sleeping berths.
Costa Rica has two main seasons. The dry season (December–April) brings calm seas and large numbers of sailfish and marlin. The green season (May–November) offers peak variety with tuna, dorado, wahoo and roosterfish. Key month by month highlights include:
January–April: Peak sailfish and marlin in the Central Pacific. Roosterfish and tarpon also bite well.
May–August: Excellent tuna and dorado; wahoo peaks May–July. FAD marlin trips start in May.
September–October: Wettest Pacific months; dorado and tarpon peak on the Caribbean coast.
November: Transition month with striped marlin and roosterfish.
December: Start of peak sailfish season and early tarpon action.
Because billfish tournaments and FAD trips book quickly, plan your charter several months in advance. Booking early ensures availability for the best boats and dates.
Reputable charters provide everything you need: captain, bilingual crew, bait, tackle, safety equipment and ice. Full-day trips include lunch, fruit, snacks, beer, and bottled water, while half-day trips provide snacks and drinks. Los Sueños charters, for example, include bait, tackle, gas, lunch, snacks and beverages. A standard four?person charter might stock two bags of ice, a case of beer, 20 bottles of water, sodas, teas, and fresh fruit. Expect high-quality rods, reels, outriggers, and even tuna tubes on offshore boats.
Boats range from 25–60 ft center consoles, sport fishers, and flybridge yachts. Smaller pangas are ideal for inshore fishing; larger sport fishers and flybridge boats provide comfort on offshore and overnight trips. Many charters are private; shared charters are less common in Costa Rica. Top marinas like Los Sueños and Marina Pez Vela host some of the world’s best captains and vessels.
All anglers must have a valid Costa Rica fishing license. Licenses can be purchased online or at marina offices; rates are about $15 for one month or $26 for a year. Villa Firenze notes daily permits around US $17. Some charters provide a basic license, but it’s safer to buy your own, especially if you plan to fish independently. Billfish (marlin, sailfish, and roosterfish) are strictly catch-and-release; you may keep meat fish like tuna, dorado, wahoo, snapper, and grouper. Circle hooks are mandatory, and anglers should respect marine protected areas and size limits.
Fishing charters in Costa Rica vary by boat size, amenities and duration. Typical price ranges include:
28 ft boat: about $750 USD for a half-day and $975 for a full day.
32 ft boat: about $850 half-day and $1,200 full?day.
35 ft boat: around $1,300 half-day and $1,700 full?day.
42 ft yacht: $2,300 half-day and $2,700 full?day.
Smaller center console inshore boats start around $700 for a 4-hour trip, $1,087 for a 6-hour trip, and $1,242 for an 8-hour 32-foot charter. Prices increase with luxury amenities or overnight FAD expeditions. Remember to factor in a 15–20 % tip for the crew and your fishing license fee.
Booking early is essential. Reputable charter operators from PescaYa.com will help you choose the right boat, coordinate transportation and obtain licenses. When booking:
Define your goals: Decide whether you want to chase marlin offshore, sight?cast to roosterfish inshore or mix both.
Choose timing and location: Use the species calendar above to select the best region and month for your target fish.
Select boat size and amenities: Consider comfort, budget, group size and whether you need air?conditioning or overnight accommodations.
Confirm what’s included: Ensure the charter includes bait, tackle, lunch, drinks and license. Ask about catch limits and conservation practices.
Secure travel arrangements: Fly into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR). San José is 30–45 minutes from most city hotels; Liberia serves the northern Pacific.
Once you’re ready, contact us and book your fishing trip now through PescaYa. Our local knowledge and partnerships with top captains ensure a seamless experience.
Flights & Transportation: Most visitors fly into San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR). San José requires a 30–45 minute transfer to hotels; Liberia is convenient for northern Pacific charters. In-country, flights connect to Quepos and other coastal towns.
Weather & Seasons: Dry season (Dec–Apr) is sunny and slightly windy; green season (May–Nov) is calm with afternoon showers. Book in advance regardless of the season.
Clothing & Gear: Bring sunblock, lip balm, polarized sunglasses, a hat, long-sleeved SPF clothing, comfortable non-marking shoes, a swimsuit, a light rain jacket (especially during the green season), and a towel. Quick-dry fabrics provide cooling comfort.
Health & Safety: If prone to motion sickness, take Dramamine or Bonine the night before. Stay hydrated; charters provide water and sports drinks.
Documentation: Carry a copy of your passport and cash for tips and licenses. US dollars are widely accepted, but local currency (colón) is useful for smaller purchases.
Regulations: Obtain a valid fishing license ($15–17), follow catch limits and respect marine protected areas.
Other Activities: Costa Rica offers zip-lining, white?water rafting, surfing, and hiking. Combine fishing with eco-tours and wildlife watching to maximize your trip.
Our brand stands apart because we live and breathe Costa Rica fishing. We’ve hand-picked captains and boats, and our experts fish these waters regularly. When you book with us:
Trusted Captains: Experienced crews who know where the fish are and practice responsible catch and release.
Personalized Service: Tailored itineraries based on your target species, skill level, and budget.
Quality Gear & Safety: Top-notch equipment, bilingual crews, GPS, VHF radios, and safety gear on every boat.
Complete Packages: We handle airport transfers, accommodations, additional tours, and special requests.
Conservation Commitment: We support sustainable fishing initiatives and abide by regulations to protect Costa Rica’s resources.
Ready to plan a trip you’ll never forget? Book your fishing trip now with PescaYa and let us take care of the details.
Costa Rica’s fishing charter scene is unparalleled. From double-digit sailfish days and trophy marlin to year-round?round tuna and dorado thanks to forward-thinking conservation laws, this tropical paradise delivers thrills for anglers of all skill levels. Modern marinas like Los Sueños and Marina Pez Vela provide top tier boats and experienced crews. Comprehensive regulations, catch-and-release rules, and sustainable practices ensure the fishery remains healthy.
Whether you’re chasing billfish offshore, tangling with roosterfish inshore or simply seeking a family-friendly adventure, Costa Rica has it all. Start planning now—book your fishing trip via PescaYa, and prepare to experience world-class sportfishing in one of the planet’s most biodiverse and welcoming destinations.
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