Hotel de Campo Caño Negro
Jungle tarpon from the lodge's own lagoon
Hotel de Campo Caño Negro is a small, family-run lodge facing the lagoon of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica's far north, and it says it's been taking anglers out since 1998. Its panga-style boats run straight from the lodge into the refuge for big resident tarpon, always released, and tropical gar. It suits anglers who want jungle tarpon on fly or spinning gear, with birding and wildlife on the same trip.
At a glance
- Location
- Caño Negro, Los Chiles, Costa Rica
- Fishing since
- 1998, the first fishing lodge in Caño Negro by its own account
- Rooms
- 14, around a pool, with air conditioning
- Boats
- panga-style boats that leave from the lodge
- Fishing
- tarpon (strictly catch and release) and tropical gar
- Packages
- 2 nights with 1 day of fishing, 3 nights with 2, or 4 nights with 3
- Methods
- fly or spinning for tarpon; live or artificial bait for gar
- Where
- 150 m east of the entrance to Caño Negro village, Los Chiles
Contact
- Website
- hoteldecampo.com
- Phone
- +506 8877 1212
- +506 8877 1212
- Leaves from
- The lodge's own landing on the Caño Negro lagoon, 150 m east of the village entrance
Contact details checked 15 November 2026
Part of our complete guide: Fishing Lodges in Costa Rica: Every Lodge and Fishermen-Run Resort, by Zone
Who runs it
Hotel de Campo is a small, family-run lodge right on the lagoon at Caño Negro, the wetland refuge near the Nicaraguan border in the canton of Los Chiles. It opened in 1998 and calls itself the first fishing lodge in Caño Negro. These days it sells itself as much to birders and wildlife photographers as to anglers, and its website, updated through 2026, is packed with birding packages, but sport fishing is still one of its core trips.
The 5-hectare property has forest, a botanical garden of more than 100 plant species, and 14 rooms set around the pool, each with a private bathroom, air conditioning, a ceiling fan and a safe. The restaurant cooks Costa Rican and Italian dishes with produce from the farm and the village.
The fishing
The lodge's boats are nimble panga-style boats that leave from its own landing and go straight into the refuge lagoons, with local tarpon guides. There are 2 target fish:
Tarpon
Atlantic tarpon that have come up the San Juan river system from the Caribbean. The lodge describes mature resident fish from about 50 to 60 pounds up to around 200, fished on spinning gear or, its favourite, the fly. Every tarpon is released, and the lodge stresses gentle handling because the fish tire easily in warm water.
Tropical gar
The long, toothy, armoured fish the lodge calls alligator gar or garfish, caught on live or artificial bait.
The lodge says its tarpon can be fished all year because they live in the lagoons. Other sources disagree: a 2026 study of the refuge's tarpon has them arriving with the rains, and the fly-only programme in the region runs from about August to mid-December. Low water from about January to April packs fish into smaller lagoons, which can help. Our Caño Negro and Río Frío guide sets out what's known.
Packages
Fishing is sold as day trips or as packages, which can be adjusted:
- 2 nights, 1 day of fishing
- 3 nights, 2 days of fishing
- 4 nights, 3 days of fishing
Anyone travelling with you who'd rather not fish can join the lodge's birding and boat tours on the same lagoon.
Permits and the closed season
Fishing inside the refuge needs a permit and is rod and line only; SINAC rangers patrol, and nets are illegal. Caño Negro also closes to fishing for part of every year, but sources don't agree on the dates: one 2026 travel guide puts the open season at July 1 to March 31, while others give the closure as April to July. The lodge's fishing page doesn't mention it, so ask the lodge to confirm the dates and to arrange your licence before you book a trip between late March and July. Our freshwater fishing guide covers the licences.
How to book
Message or call the lodge on WhatsApp at +506 8877 1212 or +506 8986 9556, or use the contact form on its website. The lodge is 150 metres east of the entrance to Caño Negro village, in the canton of Los Chiles.
Frequently asked questions
How long has Hotel de Campo offered fishing?
Since 1998. It describes itself as the first fishing lodge in Caño Negro.
Can I keep a tarpon?
No. Tarpon are strictly catch and release here, as they are everywhere in Costa Rica.
Can I fly-fish for tarpon?
Yes. The lodge calls fly fishing the best way to catch its tarpon, and spinning gear works too.
When is Caño Negro closed to fishing?
For part of each year, roughly spring into early summer, but the exact months vary between sources. Check with the lodge before booking from late March to July.
What else is there to do?
Birding, wildlife and photography boat tours on the same lagoon, plus the lodge's own garden and forest.
