Sport Fishing tours and charters can be found on both coasts and at the inland lakes and rivers of Costa Rica with a large variety of different fish to be caught.

Where to Go

This really depends on what you are looking to catch. There are plenty of spots on the Pacific Coast from the Sweet Gulf (Golfo Dulce) to the Bay of Salinas such as in Jaco, Tamarindo or Playa Samara. On the Caribbean Coast, places like Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo may offer a different approach to Sport Fishing with some species of fish that are specific to the region. Then there’s the inland fishing experience, which is its own animal, and can be found at places such as Lake Arenal or Caño Negro.

What to Bring

With many of the tour operators you should be able to get plenty of fishing equipment, but you will probably want to bring your own being the proud fisherman that you are. In that case, be sure to bring all your rods, line and lures, but leave the bait to the locals. They will know the best bait to use for the waters that you are fishing.

You’ll also want to bring sunscreen and hat, so that you don’t fry and can hit the water a few days in a row at least.

Extra Information

Tours are generally eight or five hours in a day starting sometimes as early as 7 in the morning. Many charters will begin around 9 am and end at 5 pm, but you can take a half day tour from 12 to 5 pm if you prefer. There are also plenty of tour companies that will mold their schedule around what you want to accomplish on your trip, and some resorts and lodges are specific to sport fishing tours.

Some of the species of saltwater fish that you can expect to catch in Costa Rica include wahoo, tuna, roosterfish, corvina, mackerel, snapper and grouper. In the freshwater lakes and rivers, you can expect to catch machaca, mojarra, Jaguar Guapote, Tarpon, Tilapia, Snook, Gar and Rainbow Bass.

Items to Bring: sunscreen, rods, lures, line, hat
Times: 9 am to 5 pm, 12 pm to 5 pm
Locations: Jaco, Tamarindo, Tortuguero, Playa Samara, Puerto Viejo, Caño Negro, Lake Arenal etc.
Duration: 5 hours, 8 hours