Best Places for Deep Sea & Inshore Fishing in Costa Rica

Deep Sea Fishing: Marlin, Sailfish, & More

Costa Rica is best known for marlin. The strikingly beautiful blue marlin are one of the largest fish in the world – they average 11 feet long and between 200 and 400 pounds! In February 2014, sport-fishers everywhere were astounded when an albino marlin was caught in Costa Rica. Another popular sport fishing target is the sailfish. While superficially similar to the marlin, sailfish rarely exceed 10 feet in length. Both of these fish are known for their exciting, acrobatic leaps from the water and their blinding speed. Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, and Wahoo are also found offshore in Costa Rica.

Pacific Coast Fishing Spots

The Pacific Coast is rightly famous for record-breaking offshore Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo, and Yellowfin Tuna. In-shore, Roosterfish, Snook, and Snapper are frequently reeled in. Each fishing destination has a peak season, but hidden freshwater fishing holes and deep-sea fishing are rewarding adventures that can be had year-round. Our Experts can pre-arrange fishing charters all along the Pacific coast with local fishing experts based on your preferences.

Los Suenos Marina, Central Pacific

The Los Suenos Marina is located right next door to the Los Suenos Resort in the Jaco/Herradura area, and offers unequaled luxury in vibrant tropical settings. It is currently the only government-sanctioned marina operating in Costa Rica, and is a full-service port for a number of luxury sport fishing boats in the area. Marlin and Roosterfish are commonly found in the Jaco & Herradura area.

Crocodile Bay Sportfishing, Osa Peninsula

Located on the remote Osa Peninsula, Crocodile Bay Sportfishing Resort is a deluxe ecolodge that caters to the sportfishing enthusiast. They offer inshore, offshore, kayak, and shore fishing. The resort practices catch-and-release fishing with safer circle hooks. Crocodile Bay has an impressive fleet of over 40 private fishing boats. Pacific Sailfish are brought in year-round, with numbers as high as 10-15 per day in the winter. Inshore fishing inside the Gulfo Dulce brings up fish like Trevally, Grouper, Snapper, Bluefin, and Roosterfish. Outside the Gulfo Dulce, fishermen can bring up Black and Striped Marlin, Blue Sailfish, and more.

Tamarindo Sportfishing, Guanacaste

Full and half-day fishing charters are available year-round from Tamarindo. Fishing in Tamarindo is great all year, but fishing conditions can still vary from month to month. Peak season for Billfish is mid-April to August. Marlin and Sailfish are the highlights of the full-day 9-hour fishing trip. The half-day 5-hour trip is more inshore fishing for fish like Snapper, Amberjack, and Roosterfish. For those who prefer to fish offshore, there is also a 7-hour option.

Marina Papagayo, Papagayo Peninsula

The Marina Papagayo on the Papagayo Peninsula is the newest marina in the country, built with an environmentally-conscious blueprint. It is situated directly next to the Andaz Papagayo Resort in Culebra Bay. This marina is capable of holding even super-yachts up to 220’ in length. Marlin, Roosterfish, and Tuna can be found in the waters near Papagayo.

Manuel Antonio/Quepos, Central Pacific

The port town of Quepos is a world-famous sportfishing destination on the central Pacific coast. Quepos has been dubbed by some The Sailfish Capital of the World, but it’s also excellent for Roosterfish, Snapper, Dorado, and Marlin, just to name a few. Off-shore and in-shore fishing are available.

Marina Pez Vela was the home of the 2014 Offshore World Championship, and is located in the Quepos & Manuel Antonio area. The marina hosts charter boats for a wide variety of activities, including fishing, snorkeling, and diving. Marlin and Roosterfish are common in the Quepos & Manuel Antonio area.

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