# Juan Mora Sportfishing: a Restored 31-foot Bertram at Playa Garza

> Juan Mora Sportfishing is a one-boat, family-crewed charter at Playa Garza, just south of Nosara, run by a captain who has lived in the village all his life. His boat is a classic Bertram 31, built in 1964 and restored in 2020, with twin Cummins diesels and a flybridge. It suits groups of up to 5 who like the idea of a proper sportfisher for a full offshore day, with inshore reef fishing as an option.

Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/juan-mora-sportfishing/
Last checked: 2026-11-15
Location: Playa Garza, Playa Garza, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Type: charter
Captain: Juan Mora, a lifelong Playa Garza resident, with family members as crew
Boat: a 31-foot Bertram (1964, restored 2020) with twin 370 hp Cummins diesels
On board: flybridge, enclosed toilet, radar, GPS, fish finder, live bait well, outriggers, tuna tubes
Group size: up to 5
Trips: half day (4 hours), three-quarter day (6 hours) and full day (8 hours), all from 7:30 a.m.
Leaves from: Playa Garza beach, water taxi to a mooring
Booking: through its FishingBooker listing

## Who runs it

Playa Garza is a fishing village first and a tourist stop second, and Juan Mora is one of its own. His listings describe him as a lifelong Garza resident who started working as a first mate at 12, learning from an experienced Cuban-American captain, and he now counts more than 25 years fishing this part of the Pacific. Owning his own boat was the goal all along, he says, and the business is still a family affair: reviewers mention his brothers on deck, Nino among them.

The boat has been taking guests through FishingBooker for several years, and its reviews run right through 2026, with trips logged in February, March, June and August. It also appears on Captain Experiences as "Incomunicado Sport Fishing" and has a TripAdvisor page. There's no website, so FishingBooker is the main way to book.

## The boat

The Bertram 31 is a classic among sportfishing boats: a deep-V hull designed in the early 1960s that a lot of anglers still rate for its ride in a head sea. Juan's was built in 1964 and restored in 2020, and it runs twin 370 hp Cummins diesels, with a listed top cruising speed of 34 knots. That's quick for a boat its age and handy for a long run offshore.

It's a proper fishing platform: a flybridge for spotting fish and birds, outriggers, tuna tubes for live bait, a live well, radar, GPS and a fish finder, plus an enclosed toilet in the cuddy cabin. It takes up to 5 people. Like most of the bigger Garza boats, it lives on a mooring in the bay, so you'll meet Juan on the beach and ride out by water taxi.

## What you'll fish for, and when

![An angler in a sun hoodie holding up a big amberjack on a boat, with calm blue water behind](/static/img/juan-mora-sportfishing-amberjack-800.webp "Photo: [Juan Mora Sportfishing](https://fishingbooker.com/charters/view/39216)")

Offshore, the boat targets blue, black and striped [marlin](/marlin-the-tropical-sporting-fish/), [sailfish](/the-pacific-sailfish/), [yellowfin tuna](/yellowfin-tuna/), wahoo and [mahi-mahi](/the-dolphin-fish-mahi-mahi/). Closer in, it fishes the reefs and rocks for [cubera snapper](/pacific-cubera-snapper-costa-rica/), grouper, [amberjack](/amberjack-in-costa-rica/), little tunny and [roosterfish](/roosterfish-the-majestic-fish-of-costa-rica/). Live bait is part of the deal when conditions allow.

The deep water off Garza is close, which is why a boat like this makes sense here. On the northern Nicoya coast, sailfish tend to be best from about May to August, along with yellowfin and wahoo, and blue marlin peak from about May to September and again in November and December. Roosterfish bite all year, best from January to April. Our [Nicoya Peninsula guide](/nicoya-peninsula-fishing-guide/) has the month-by-month picture.

Catch and release is welcome, and sailfish and marlin go back as Costa Rican law requires (see our [rules guide](/costa-rica-fishing-rules/)). You can keep eating fish within the legal limits, and the crew cleans and fillets them on the spot.

## Trip types

There are 3 options, all starting at 7:30 in the morning: a 4-hour half day, a 6-hour three-quarter day and an 8-hour full day. The half day suits inshore fishing or a quick look offshore; for billfish, the longer trips give you more time in the blue water. Rods, reels, tackle, lures and live bait, fruit, snacks, sandwiches, water, soda and beer are included, along with a mate and fish cleaning. You buy your own [INCOPESCA fishing licence](/costa-rica-fishing-licence-how-to/) before the trip, and there's no hotel pickup.

## How to book

Book through the boat's [FishingBooker listing](https://fishingbooker.com/charters/view/39216), which also handles messages with the captain before the trip. On the day you'll meet Juan on Playa Garza beach and take the water taxi out to the Bertram. If it's your first beach start, our guide to [panga fishing from a beach launch](/panga-fishing-nicoya-peninsula/) covers what to wear and bring.

## Frequently asked questions

### What boat does Juan Mora fish on?
A 31-foot Bertram built in 1964 and restored in 2020, with twin 370 hp Cummins diesels, a flybridge and an enclosed toilet.

### Where do the trips leave from?
From Playa Garza beach, south of Nosara. A water taxi takes you out to the boat on its mooring in the bay.

### How many people can go?
Up to 5.

### Does Juan Mora have a website?
No. The boat is booked through FishingBooker, and it's also listed on Captain Experiences and TripAdvisor.