Papagayo Fishing

Part of our complete guide: Fishing in Guanacaste: the complete guide

Who runs it

Papagayo Fishing is the business of Capt. José Méndez and his family. He started on the water in 2000 as a dive boat captain for hotel companies, earned his PADI Divemaster and rescue qualifications a few years later, and in 2010 bought a boat of his own and started fishing charters as tourism grew around the gulf. Reviews talk about "Don José and his sons," so expect family on the boats.

It's grown into more than a one-boat operation. The company says it owns some of its boats and also works as a tour operator, booking other captains' boats and arranging snorkel, catamaran, surf and land trips. Its website carried dated guest reviews from January to July 2026, and a FishingBooker listing for one of its boats logged a trip in August 2026.

The boats

The boats page lists more than 30 boats, from a 22-foot inshore panga up to 50-foot Viking and Ocean yachts with air-conditioning. That list mixes the family's own boats with partner boats, so when you book, ask which boat you'll be on and who the captain is. A few you'll hear about:

• Small inshore boats. The 25-foot Mako known as the Bahamas Boat, the 22-foot Pola and the 26-foot One More, all set up for roosterfish and light tackle for up to 4.
• Mid-size sportfishers. The 32-foot Carolina Chorotega, a 28-foot Bertram called Dream Fishing, and several 29 to 35-foot boats for up to 5 or 6, most with a toilet on board.
• Big boats. Boats from 38 to 50 feet with air-conditioned cabins for groups of 7 to 10.

Where you'll board

Papagayo Fishing is based in Playas del Coco, but its main selling point is pickup by boat from the beach closest to where you're staying. Its site lists the Papagayo Peninsula resorts, Playa Hermosa, Ocotal, Flamingo, Conchal and Playa El Jobo, among others. If you're at a gated resort on the Papagayo Peninsula, that saves a long road transfer. Some of the bigger partner boats may leave from a marina instead, so check.

What you'll fish for

Inshore trips work the rocks and islands of the Gulf of Papagayo for roosterfish, cubera and red snapper, amberjack, grouper and jacks. Offshore, the crews chase sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna and wahoo. In Guanacaste, billfish peak from about May to December (sailfish especially May to August), roosterfish from January to April, and mahi-mahi from July to December. The Papagayo winds blow hardest from December to March, and they can keep small boats close to shore on some mornings.

The company also offers fly fishing, fishing with a barbecue on a quiet beach, and spearfishing trips.

Release practice

The website doesn't set out a release policy. Costa Rican law requires billfish to be released, and roosterfish are released as a matter of course on Guanacaste boats, but ask your captain how they handle fish before you go. Our page on releasing a billfish explains what good handling looks like.

How to book

Message Capt. José on WhatsApp at +506 8319 6425, call the US line on +1 601 890 1940, or email [email protected]. The website has a contact form and its boats list. Each angler also needs an INCOPESCA fishing licence, bought online before the trip. For the wider picture of the region, see our complete guide to fishing in Guanacaste.