# Costa Catch Nosara: a Family Crew and La Bonita at Playa Garza

> Costa Catch Nosara is a small family charter on Playa Garza, south of Nosara, run by captain Marcos, who grew up in the village and worked on most of its boats before buying his own. The main boat is La Bonita, a 28-foot Costa Rican-built walkaround with a small cabin and toilet, backed by a 19-foot panga for surf and island trips. It suits small groups and families who want inshore snapper and roosterfish or a quick run to offshore tuna and billfish.

Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/costa-catch-nosara/
Last checked: 2026-11-15
Location: Playa Garza, Playa Garza, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Type: charter
Official website: https://www.costacatchnosara.com/
Boats: La Bonita, a 28-foot walkaround built by Costa Rica Anglers (2019) with a 200 hp Suzuki; a 19-foot panga with a 40 hp Yamaha
Crew: captain Marcos with family members; Guillermo and Nelson named as crew
Fishing: inshore and offshore, half, three-quarter and full days, plus short sunset trips
Group size: up to 4 anglers in the base rate; ask about more
Tournaments: 3rd place in the Ship of Fools billfish tournament, 2022
Leaves from: Playa Garza beach
Also offers: surf trips, snorkeling, Pink Sand Island and wildlife tours

## A Garza captain with his own boat

A lot of the captains on Playa Garza started the same way: as boys helping out on other people's boats. Captain Marcos of Costa Catch Nosara is one of them. His website says he was born and raised in Garza, started working as a mate and then a captain when he was young, and spent close to 20 years on almost every boat in the bay before setting up on his own. He now runs the business with his father and brothers, and reviews mention his nephew Nelson working the deck.

The site lists Guillermo as first mate, a man who likes bottom fishing inshore but is just as handy offshore. Recent FishingBooker reviews name Marco, Guillermo and Nelson, so expect some mix of the 3 on your trip.

It's a busy little outfit for its size. The FishingBooker page had 65 reviews when we checked in November 2026, the latest from a three-quarter-day offshore trip on 3 November 2026, and the TripAdvisor listing is active too. The company also fishes the village's own tournament: in 2022, its first year entering with La Bonita, the team finished 3rd in the Ship of Fools billfish tournament.

## The boats

La Bonita is the fishing boat: a 28-foot walkaround built in Costa Rica by Costa Rica Anglers in 2019, with a single 200 hp Suzuki outboard. The walkaround layout means you can move all the way around the cabin to the bow, which helps when a fish heads under the boat. There's a small cabin with a toilet and a good T-top for shade, and it's rigged with outriggers. The base rate covers up to 4 anglers; the boat's limit is listed as 5 or 6 depending on where you look, so ask if your group is bigger.

The second boat is a 19-foot panga with a 40 hp Yamaha. It's mostly used for surf trips to Garza's reef breaks and runs out to the pink-sand island near the village, but it's a fun, simple way to fish close to shore too.

## What you'll catch, and when

![An angler and a crew member holding up a big red snapper on the deck of a fishing boat, with blue water and a low green island behind](/static/img/costa-catch-nosara-snapper-800.webp "Photo: [Costa Catch Nosara](https://www.costacatchnosara.com/)")

Inshore, the crew works the reefs and rocky points near Garza for [cubera and other snappers](/pacific-cubera-snapper-costa-rica/), grouper, jacks and [roosterfish](/roosterfish-the-majestic-fish-of-costa-rica/), with amberjack over the deeper rocks. Offshore trips go after [yellowfin tuna](/yellowfin-tuna/) and other tunas, [sailfish](/the-pacific-sailfish/) and [marlin](/marlin-the-tropical-sporting-fish/), and mahi-mahi when they're around. The deep water sits close to this part of the coast, which is why a half-day offshore trip makes sense from Garza.

On the northern Nicoya coast, the best sailfish months tend to follow Guanacaste, from about May to August, while yellowfin and wahoo are strongest from May to August as well. Dorado pick up later in the year. Roosterfish bite all year, with the best of it from January to April. Our [Nicoya Peninsula guide](/nicoya-peninsula-fishing-guide/) has a month-by-month table for the whole zone, and the [seasons guide](/costa-rica-fishing-seasons/) has the national picture.

Catch and release is welcome, and billfish always go back by law (see our [rules guide](/costa-rica-fishing-rules/)). Reviewers often mention the crew filleting tuna on board and turning part of the catch into sashimi or ceviche on the spot.

## Trip types

Costa Catch runs half days inshore or offshore (5 hours, morning or afternoon), a three-quarter day (7 hours) and full days (9 hours), plus a short 3-hour sunset fishing trip. Rods, reels and tackle, snacks and drinks are included, with lunch on full days. You'll need your own [INCOPESCA fishing licence](/costa-rica-fishing-licence-how-to/), and there's no hotel pickup. The same crew runs snorkeling, wildlife, surf and island trips if part of your group would rather not fish.

## How to book

Book through the company's website, by phone on +506 8708 7685 or by email at costacatchnosara@gmail.com. It's also bookable on [FishingBooker](https://fishingbooker.com/charters/view/40311). Trips start from the beach at Playa Garza, about 10 minutes south of Guiones; you'll usually wade or take a short ride out to the boat. If that's new to you, read our guide to [panga fishing from a beach launch](/panga-fishing-nicoya-peninsula/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Where does Costa Catch Nosara leave from?
From the beach at Playa Garza, the fishing village just south of Nosara. Confirm the exact meeting spot with the captain when you book.

### What kind of boat is La Bonita?
A 28-foot walkaround with a small cabin and toilet, built in Costa Rica in 2019 and powered by a single 200 hp Suzuki.

### Can I keep the fish I catch?
You can keep some eating fish within the legal limits, and the crew often prepares it on board. Sailfish and marlin are released.

### Is there a short trip for beginners or kids?
Yes. The half-day inshore trip and the 3-hour sunset trip are the shortest options, and the panga is good for very easy days close to shore.