Customer: Costa Rica Tarpon Fishing
We plan on going to Costa Rica probably in November. We would like to do some fishing while we’re there. We’re interested in deep sea fishing as well as fishing is rivers and streams. We’re interested in tarpon, roosterfish and possibly sailfish or marlin. We would be looking at possibly a day or two for just the two of us. What do you suggest? What area of Costa Rica should we be looking at?
Our Response:
Hello Lynn and Jo-Anne,
There are many options available for the type of fishing trip you are looking for. Tarpon fishing is done on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica whereas most people prefer the Pacific Coast for deep sea fishing.
For the best Tarpon fishing it’s best to go to where the Rio Colorado (Colorado River) flows into the Caribbean. This year because of a drought the Tarpon really never started running upstream and so the fishing was best right on the break water. There are a few big lodges up there in which our clients in the past have just loved.
Here is an example itinerary for one person:
Early AM Fly to location from San Jose: $68
Fishing same day for Tarpon on 23′ boat: $435
All food and lodging included
Following morning, fly back: $68 or take a river boat through 50 miles of inland canals to Limon and then be taken back to San Jose by van. This again includes meals. $135
Some people say that you see more wildlife on that trip than what the Amazon has to offer.
The above would get you Tarpon fishing at its best in Costa Rica for $571 to $638 per person. This location can only be reached by boat or air.
They also offer fishing trips in which you go up river. Based upon what time of year it is and the conditions, this could be for Tarpon and for other fresh water species. The rates are the same for salt and freshwater. Licenses for fresh and saltwater are separate and are additional in cost.
For the best Sportfishing, Los Suenos (Jaco), Tamarindo, or Quepos will be your choices. If you want to fish for billfish you will have to go deep sea fishing. This requires a whole day fishing. The prices are pretty much the same along the whole coast. 31′ boats decked out for deep sea fishing start at around $900 per day. They have everything you need to be comfortable. There are plenty of companies, but we only use a handful that have proven to excellent with our clients.