From the luxury yachts of Los Sueños to the remote waters of Golfito, Costa Rica’s Pacific coast has a fishing port for every kind of trip. Compare destinations, see who each one suits, and find private charters close to where you’re staying.
Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world to catch sailfish and marlin, with yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi and roosterfish on the same coast. But each region fishes differently, and the best season changes as you move north or south.
The easiest way to choose is to start with where you’re staying. Most visitors fish within an hour of their hotel, so we’ve grouped every port by region below.
Still not sure? Send us your hotel, dates and what you want to catch, and we’ll recommend the best departure point for your trip.
Filter by region, then open a location to compare boats and plan your day.
Luxury YachtsCosta Rica’s premier marina and a famous billfish tournament base. Air-conditioned sportfishing yachts for groups who want serious fishing in real comfort.
Biggest ChoiceThe widest range of boats in the country, 90 minutes from San José. Compact boats for couples, sportfishers for offshore days and yachts for large groups.
Billfish CapitalOne of the world’s best-known sailfish ports, right next to Manuel Antonio National Park. Offshore billfish, FAD fishing for tuna and inshore roosterfish.
Marina FlamingoA modern marina with quick access to deep water and the Catalina Islands. Marlin in the green season, sailfish in the dry season and roosterfish year-round.
Beach TownEasy fishing for visitors staying in Tamarindo, Langosta or Playa Grande. Great for couples and families mixing a day on the water with a beach vacation.
Gulf of PapagayoClosest fishing to Liberia airport and the Papagayo resorts. Roosterfish, snapper and tuna, plus offshore billfish when the winds are calm.
Remote & WildA quiet, fishing-first town on the Golfo Dulce. Protected inshore water for roosterfish and snapper, plus multi-day offshore trips for blue marlin.
Send us your hotel and dates — we’ll recommend the closest port with the best fishing for your trip.
Each port at a glance — region, where boats leave from and who it suits best.
| Location | Region | Departs from | Best for | Boats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Sueños | Central Pacific | Los Sueños Marina | Luxury yachts, billfish, groups up to 10 | 36–52 ft |
| Jacó & Herradura | Central Pacific | Herradura Bay | Widest choice, every budget, groups up to 12 | 28–58 ft |
| Quepos | Central Pacific | Marina Pez Vela | Sailfish, FAD tuna, Manuel Antonio stays | 30–60 ft |
| Flamingo | North Pacific | Marina Flamingo | Marlin, Catalina Islands, Guanacaste resorts | 26–43 ft |
| Tamarindo | North Pacific | Tamarindo | Couples, families, beach vacations | 27–38 ft |
| Playa del Coco | North Pacific | Gulf of Papagayo | Liberia airport, Papagayo resorts, inshore | Ask us |
| Golfito | South Pacific | Golfo Dulce | Serious anglers, roosterfish, overnight marlin | Day & multi-day |
Seasons shift along the Pacific, so somewhere in Costa Rica is almost always on fire.
Sailfish peak in the dry season (December–April) and marlin fishing is strongest from May to October. Papagayo winds can blow January to March, so captains often fish early or inshore.
The heart of Costa Rica sportfishing and the easiest to reach from San José. Sailfish are best December–April, with tuna, mahi-mahi and marlin through the green season.
Remote and less crowded, with sailfish often arriving earlier in the season. Protected inshore water and long-range trips for blue marlin make it a favorite with dedicated anglers.
Every location offers a mix of offshore and inshore species — learn more about each one.
It depends on your trip. Los Sueños and Quepos are top choices for billfish, Jacó has the widest range of boats and budgets, Guanacaste (Flamingo, Tamarindo and Playa del Coco) suits beach vacations in the north, and Golfito is best for dedicated anglers who want a remote, fishing-first trip.
Jacó, Herradura and Los Sueños Marina are about 90 minutes from San José’s international airport, making them the easiest for short trips. Quepos is roughly an hour farther south.
Playa del Coco and the Gulf of Papagayo are closest to Liberia airport, with Flamingo and Tamarindo a little farther south in Guanacaste.
You can fish all year. Sailfish generally peak from December to April on the Pacific coast, while marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi are strong in the green season. Roosterfish and snapper are caught inshore year-round.
Yes. Many anglers combine ports — for example Los Sueños and Quepos, or Flamingo and Tamarindo. Send us your itinerary and we’ll plan charters that fit your route.
Yes. Every charter we book is private, so the boat and crew are reserved just for your group.
Tell us where you’re staying, your dates and what you want to catch — we’ll match you with the right location and boat.
