# Sportfishing in Jacó: Los Sueños, Sailfish and the Central Pacific > Jacó is the closest Pacific fishing town to San José, and its boats leave from Los Sueños Marina in Herradura, a few minutes north of town. Sailfish and marlin are the main offshore targets, best from about December to April, with roosterfish, snapper and dorado closer in. Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/activities-in-jaco/ Last checked: 2026-11-14 Leaves from: Los Sueños Marina, Playa Herradura Offshore: Sailfish, blue and striped marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo Inshore: Roosterfish, snapper, jacks Best billfish months: About December to April Getting there: About 1.5 hours' drive from San José airport ## Why anglers base themselves in Jacó Jacó is a busy surf town on the Central Pacific, and for anglers its big selling point is distance: it's the closest stretch of Pacific coast to San José, so you can land in the morning and be on a boat the next day. The fishing doesn't happen from Jacó's beach, though. Almost every charter boat in the area keeps its berth at [Los Sueños Marina](/los-suenos-marina-and-resort/) on Playa Herradura, a short drive north of town, and that's where you'll board. From Herradura the boats head out past the mouth of the Gulf of Nicoya into open Pacific water. Offshore runs to the billfish grounds usually take a while, so a full day gives the crew more room to find fish than a half day does. ## What you'll catch and when The Central Pacific's main event is sailfish. FECOP, the Costa Rican sport fishing federation, puts the most productive billfish months for the central and southern Pacific at roughly November to April, with February to April usually the strongest stretch for sails. Blue, black and striped marlin turn up on the same trips, and [yellowfin tuna](/yellowfin-tuna/) and [wahoo](/wahoo-in-costa-rica-a-faboulous-catch/) round out the offshore list. [Dorado (mahi-mahi)](/the-dolphin-fish-mahi-mahi/) are a good bet in the greener, wetter months, when they gather under floating logs and weed lines. They're also one of the few offshore fish most crews will let you keep for dinner, within the rules. Inshore, the rocky points and islands between Herradura and Jacó hold [roosterfish](/roosterfish-the-majestic-fish-of-costa-rica/), [snapper](/snappers-in-costa-rica/) and jacks, and FECOP notes that roosterfish can be caught all year. Inshore trips are shorter, closer to land and a good choice for families or anyone who'd rather avoid a long ride in open water. ## Where the boats leave from Los Sueños is a full-service marina inside a resort and residential development, with fuel, a fleet of sportfishing boats and restaurants on the dock. You don't need to stay at the resort to fish from there: charters meet their guests at the marina, and many will arrange a pick-up from a Jacó hotel. Some local captains with smaller boats also work from Herradura and Jacó. One crew that's been fishing these waters for years is [Jaco Tour Sportfishing](/jaco-tours/), and there are plenty of others at the marina. Whoever you book, ask where you'll board, how long the run to the fishing grounds is that week, and what's included (licence, drinks, lunch, tackle). ## A typical day out of Los Sueños Offshore boats usually leave the marina early, around 7, and run southwest toward the edge of the continental shelf, where the water turns deep blue. On the way, the crew sets out a spread of teasers and hookless lures to raise billfish, then switches to a bait on a circle hook once a sailfish is up behind the boat. When a fish is hooked, the captain backs the boat down on it, and the mate keeps the fish in the water for a quick photo before it's released. Inshore days are more relaxed. Crews often catch live bait first, then slow-troll it along the rocks off Herradura, Punta Leona and the islands for roosterfish and snapper, or let you cast poppers if the fish are near the surface. Half-day trips are common, and they're a good way to try sportfishing before committing to a full day offshore. ## Where to stay You can stay right at the marina in the Los Sueños resort, rent a condo in the Herradura area, or stay in Jacó, which has the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and nightlife on this stretch of coast. Jacó is livelier and louder; Herradura is quieter and closer to the boats. Playa Hermosa, just south of Jacó, is a good middle ground for surfers who also want to fish. ## Getting to Jacó Jacó is about an hour and a half by road from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), on Route 27 and then the coastal highway, Route 34. Shuttles and public buses make the run every day, and many visitors simply rent a car. Herradura and Los Sueños are about 10 minutes north of Jacó's main strip. On the way, stop at the bridge over the Tárcoles River, where large American crocodiles laze on the mud banks below. ## Other things to do - **Surfing:** Jacó's main beach has waves all year and plenty of surf schools for beginners. Playa Hermosa, just south, is heavier and better left to experienced surfers. - **Carara National Park:** about 20 minutes north, a patch of forest known for scarlet macaws and easy trails. - **Manuel Antonio:** roughly an hour south by road, for a day in the national park. - **Islands:** boat trips from Herradura run to Isla Tortuga and the islands of the Gulf of Nicoya for snorkeling. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do fishing boats leave from in Jacó? Most leave from Los Sueños Marina on Playa Herradura, about 10 minutes north of Jacó. A few smaller boats work from Herradura beach or Jacó itself. ### When is the best time to fish for sailfish near Jacó? The central Pacific's billfish season peaks from about December to April, with February to April usually the strongest months. Sailfish are caught outside those months too, just in smaller numbers. ### Do I need a fishing licence? Yes. Costa Rica's fishing law requires everyone fishing from a sport boat to carry an INCOPESCA sport fishing licence. Many charters buy it for you; if not, you can buy it online before your trip. ### Can I keep the fish I catch? Sailfish and marlin are released alive. Crews often let guests keep a dorado or tuna for dinner, within INCOPESCA's limits, and release the rest.