Costa Rica is a fisherman’s dream, and Manuel Antonio and Quepos have some of the best fishing in the country!

The Pacific provides Costa Rica’s most consistently exciting fishing, with sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, mackerel, mahi mahi and snapper being caught regularly.

Billfish are the target of most visiting anglers, and they are seldom disappointed from around December through April. Some sailfish and marlin are taken throughout the year.

On an inshore fishing trip you can expect tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, dorado, snook, jacks, mackarel and a variety of snapper species.

Some boats out of the Quepos marina even offer multi-day trips to Drake Bay or Caño Island. This region is best known for its wahoo, cubera and rooster fish, but there are also some tuna, dorado, sailfish and marlins.

The fishing experts say each fish has a certain season when it is at its best for sportfishing.

Marlin: October is normally the top month for Marlin in this area, but it is also good in September and November. Occasional blues and rare blacks can be found year round although they are more likely to be spotted out further than where the boats hunting for sailfish are likely to be fishing.

Sailfish: Middle of December through mid April is the best time for sailfish when they are starting to move north, however the big schools usually move in mid October and stay longer. A few sailfish can be caught from June to September but it’s not as common.

Tuna: Can be found year round, although they are most abundant from June to September.

Wahoo: Not common in the area around Quepos and Manuel Antonio, but are abundant from June – August in Drake Bay or Caño Island.

Dorado: Best time is late May when the winter rains typically start

Roosterfish: Fishing for this inshore species is incredible in this area with the best spots being at the river mouths and the rocky drop-offs. Favorite spots are the mouth of the Naranjo River,the mouth of the Parrita River, Palo Seco, Drake Bay and Caño Island. The best time of year for roosterfish is June through September.

Snook: Favored spots are in the many river mouths along the coast. The IGFA world record black snook was caught in the month of July at the river mouth of Rio Naranjo about 20 minutes outside of Quepos. The best months seem to be from July – November during the “green season.”

Come stay with us at Tulemar Vacation Homes, and we would be happy to set up your once-in-a-lifetime fishing excursion!