Bahía Rica

Part of our complete guide: Fishing Lodges in Costa Rica: Every Lodge and Fishermen-Run Resort, by Zone

A lodge on the quiet side of the peninsula

Most people drive straight off the Puntarenas ferry at Paquera and keep going. Bahía Rica gives anglers a reason to stop. The lodge sits at Punta Cuchillo, about 1.5 km east of the ferry landing, on the sheltered Gulf of Nicoya side of the Nicoya Peninsula. It's owned by a Norwegian couple who wanted a rustic jungle base, and it's grown into a small fishing, kayaking and boat-tour business with its own fleet.

The fishing is run by owner and captain Thomas Jones, a marine biologist by training and a member of Pro Staff Costa Rica, along with captains Chato, Christian and Steven. Reviews name Chato often, and one credits him with more than 30 years on the water. The crew speaks English, Spanish and Norwegian.

It's a busy, community-minded place. In October 2026 the lodge helped organize and sponsor a month-long fishing school for 17 local women in Paquera, with FECOP, the national sportfishing federation, and 4 of its captains taught the course, including catch-and-release handling.

The boats

Bahía Rica has 3 boats, all with a toilet, a tuna tower, a live well, outriggers and shade:

Offshore trips take up to 4 anglers. Inshore trips take up to 6 on the smaller boats and up to 8 on the 32-footer.

What you'll fish for, and when

Inshore, the gulf and the islands near Paquera hold roosterfish, jack crevalle, bigeye trevally, sierra mackerel, skipjack, barracuda, snapper and grouper, with mahi-mahi close in when they're running. The crew trolls live and dead bait, casts poppers and stickbaits, and bottom fishes. Mornings are usually best, before the wind picks up. Offshore trips run out past the gulf for sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi.

The gulf side shares its seasons with the Central Pacific more than with Guanacaste: our seasons guide puts the best sailfish months from about December to April, and roosterfish are strongest from January to April. The lodge's own fishing reports show inshore and offshore action in February, April and late October. For the gulf itself, including the inner-gulf closed season from May to July, read our Gulf of Nicoya fishing guide.

The FishingBooker listing says most fish are released, and billfish always are, as the law requires.

Staying at the lodge

Rooms are simple and set in the trees. El Yayo is a wooden house on a hilltop with 3 rooms, a shared bathroom, a basic kitchen and balconies with views over the gulf. El Bambu is a small cabin below it with its own bathroom. Bahía Rica also rents houses on Isla Cedros, a short boat ride away. It's rural, so expect wildlife rather than nightlife.

Packages combine several days of fishing with a stay, and non-anglers can paddle sea kayaks through the mangroves, see the bioluminescent bay at night, or take a boat to Isla Tortuga. Humpback whales visit the gulf from about July to December.

How to book

Book on the lodge's website, by WhatsApp or phone on +506 8850 5314, or through the Mono Congo's FishingBooker listing. Fishing trips include drinks, bait, tackle and snacks, with lunch on full days. The boat usually picks you up at the Paquera ferry landing, which makes it easy to fish straight off the morning ferry from Puntarenas. Buy your INCOPESCA fishing licence before you go; the lodge links to the form.