For those of us who have a love of sport fishing in the salty seas and wish to see the world, then one of the most ideal places to visit is Costa Rica. Surrounded by two oceans—the Atlantic (Caribbean) and the Pacific—at about three to four hours distance overland or less than 40 minutes by air, it’s possible to sport fish in two different oceans on the same day.
Nearly all seven provinces of Costa Rica, from San Jose, Cartago, Heredia and Alajuela to Guanacaste, Limon and Puntarenas (with 25% protected territories and national parks) afford some serious Costa Rica sport fishing opportunities.
Costa Rica Tours: Adventure Travel Fishing at Its Best
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a diverse isthmus of flora and fauna with a landmass covering less than 0.04% of the land on Earth, however boasting more than 6% of the world’s natural marine- and bio-diversity; there’s something here for every type of sport fishing angler.
Most of the sport fishing in Costa Rica, then, can be divided into four renowned fishing spots. Depending on the time of year, temperatures, and rainy or dry season, each of these different hotspots offer all sorts of saltwater battles:
Costa Rica Tours: Fishing the Different Regions
• The North Pacific region, including Tamarindo, Flamingo and Guanamar, get good protection from the Christmas winds from late December through April. Sport fishing in Costa Rica and those wanting to take a Costa Rica fishing trip, shouldn’t be surprised to hook marlin, sailfish, roosterfish, dorado, tuna, and wahoo in this popular Costa Rica fishing region.
• The Central Pacific region, including Los Suenos Marina and Quepos, attracts anglers for sport fishing in Costa Rica year round. Sport fishermen come here to catch billfish, cropping up about 15 to 20 miles offshore. Other anglers coming to fish in Costa Rica additionally venture this region to hook dorado, sailfish, marlin, wahoo and tuna.
• The South Pacific region, which includes Golfito, Puerto Jimenez and Drake Bay, offers some of the same types of sport fishing in Costa Rica as its North and Central counterparts. Here, however, anglers sport fish to intercept barracuda, snapper, mackerel, sea bass, and snook that prowl about the rocky islets and smaller coves closer inshore. Sport fisherman coming to Costa Rica in this region also fish for marlin, sailfish, roosterfish, dorado and tuna.
• The Caribbean Coast region, housing both Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado, has no roads so one must come by commercial airline, chartered flights or perhaps boat. The Caribbean Coast region is different than the latter three insofar as the weather determines whether it’s possible to fish that day or not. Concurring captains’ reports suggests that most tarpon are caught anywhere from 300 to 500 yards offshore in October and November while others claim June and July as the best months. Sport fishing in this Caribbean Coastal region of Costa Rica will often surprise anglers with snook, calba, dorado, wahoo and billfish, with cero and Spanish mackerel being caught closer to shore.
Costa Rica Tours: How Fishing Gets Done
Almost all credentialed outfitters for Costa Rica sport fishing provide everything you’ll need for a day or more of sport fishing, barring fly fishing equipment.
The fishing boats range from 30’ day sizes to over 50’ family multi-day sizes, with the latest models compromising beds, fridge, microwave, shower, bath and first-aid kit.
Prices vary as much as the companies and captains, with some commanded by foreigners and others by Costa Rican locals. The average cost for one day (8 hours) of sport fishing in Costa Rica ranges from $300 to over $900 dollars, with an average price tag of $500-$700 USD per day.
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