# Sportfishing in Costa Rica: Where and When to Fish, Licences and Rules > Costa Rica has two very different fisheries: the Pacific, with sailfish, marlin, dorado, tuna and roosterfish, and the Caribbean, with tarpon and snook. On the Pacific, the Central and Southern coasts peak from about December to April and Guanacaste from about May to December, so there's good billfishing somewhere in every month. Everyone fishing from a boat needs an INCOPESCA licence, and billfish and tarpon are released alive. Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/sportfishing-in-costa-rica/ Last checked: 2026-11-14 Pacific species: Sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, roosterfish, snapper Caribbean species: Tarpon, snook, jacks, barracuda, mackerel Central and Southern Pacific billfish peak: About December to April Guanacaste billfish peak: About May to December Licence: INCOPESCA sport fishing licence for everyone fishing from a boat (8 days, 1 month or 1 year) Released alive: Sailfish, marlin and tarpon No fishing: National parks, including their marine areas ## Two coasts, two kinds of fishing Costa Rica is a small country with two very different seas. The Pacific side is long, deep and full of islands, gulfs and rocky points, and it's where nearly all of the country's sportfishing fleet works. The Caribbean side is shorter, straighter and wetter, cut by rivers and lagoons, and it's famous for one fish above all: tarpon. On the Pacific, the main targets are [sailfish](/the-pacific-sailfish/), blue, black and striped [marlin](/marlin-the-tropical-sporting-fish/), [dorado (mahi-mahi)](/the-dolphin-fish-mahi-mahi/), [yellowfin tuna](/yellowfin-tuna/) and [wahoo](/wahoo-in-costa-rica-a-faboulous-catch/) offshore, and [roosterfish](/roosterfish-the-majestic-fish-of-costa-rica/), [snapper](/snappers-in-costa-rica/), jacks and mackerel inshore. On the Caribbean, it's [tarpon](/tarpon-in-costa-rica/) and [snook](/snook-in-costa-rica/), with jacks and barracuda in between. Our [species guide](/species/) covers each fish in detail. ## The Pacific coast, north to south **[Guanacaste](/guanacaste/)**, in the dry northwest, runs from the Papagayo Peninsula down past Playas del Coco, Flamingo and Tamarindo to Sámara. It has two full marinas, [Marina Papagayo](/marina-papagayo-a-grand-retreat/) and Marina Flamingo, and many boats work off moorings in the bays. It's closest to Liberia's international airport. Town guides: [Papagayo](/sportfishing-in-peninsula-papagayo/), [Playas del Coco](/playas-del-coco-in-costa-rica/), [Flamingo](/sportfishing-in-playa-flamingo/), [Tamarindo](/sportfishing-in-tamarindo/) and [Sámara](/activities-in-samara/). **[Southern Nicoya](/southern-nicoya/)**, at the tip of the peninsula, is small-boat country around Montezuma, Cabuya, Tambor and Paquera. See our [southern Nicoya guide](/the-nicoya-peninsula-a-tropical-vacation/). **[Central Pacific](/central-pacific/)** is the busiest fishing coast. [Los Sueños Marina](/los-suenos-marina-and-resort/), near [Jacó](/activities-in-jaco/), is the closest marina to San José, and [Marina Pez Vela](/marina-pez-vela-a-luxurious-getaway/) in [Quepos](/sportfishing-in-quepos/) has one of the largest charter fleets in the country. [Manuel Antonio](/sportfishing-in-manuel-antonio-national-park/) and [Dominical](/dominical/) anglers fish from Quepos. **[Southern Pacific](/southern-pacific/)** means Golfito, Zancudo, Puerto Jiménez and the Osa Peninsula, around the sheltered Golfo Dulce. It's more remote, with fishing lodges and the docks at Golfito, including [Banana Bay Marina](/banana-bay-marina-in-golfito/), and it's known for big yellowfin tuna and roosterfish close to the gulf mouth. ## The Caribbean coast The **[Caribbean](/caribbean/)** has no marinas and few charter boats. The fishing is at the river mouths of the north, around Barra del Colorado, [Tortuguero](/tortuguero/) and Parismina, where lodges such as [Silver King Lodge](/silver-king-lodge/) fish for tarpon all year. Farther south, near [Puerto Viejo](/sportfishing-in-puerto-viejo-de-talamanca/), it's small-boat and shore fishing around protected reefs. Our [Caribbean coast guide](/limon-sportfishing-in-the-caribbean-coast-of-costa-rica/) explains how it works. ## The seasons Costa Rica's Pacific fishing has two overlapping seasons, which is why it's possible to fish for billfish somewhere in any month. FECOP, the Costa Rican sport fishing federation, gives these as the most productive periods: - **Central and Southern Pacific:** sailfish and marlin are best from about November to April, with February to April usually the strongest stretch for sailfish. - **Guanacaste (northern Pacific):** offshore billfish are best from about May to December. - **Inshore, all coasts:** roosterfish and most inshore species can be caught all year. Weather shapes the seasons. On the Pacific, the dry season runs roughly December to April and the rainy season May to November. In Guanacaste, strong Papagayo winds from about December to March can make offshore days rough. In the rainy months, runoff carries logs and weed lines out to sea, which often brings good [dorado](/the-dolphin-fish-mahi-mahi/) fishing. On the Caribbean, there's no true dry season, and tarpon are caught all year. Calm seas matter more than the month, because rough water closes the river-mouth bars. Our [weather page](/weather/) has more on the seasons coast by coast. ## Inshore or offshore? **Inshore** trips stay within sight of land, working rocky points, islands, reefs and river mouths for roosterfish, snapper, jacks and mackerel. They're shorter (often a half day) and calmer, and they're good for families, beginners and anyone prone to seasickness. You can cast lures, which many anglers prefer. **Offshore** trips head to blue water for sailfish, marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo, usually trolling lures or baits and switching to live bait when fish show. They need a bigger boat and more time: in some seasons the fish are 20 miles or more out, so a full day gives the crew room to find them. ## Licences and the law **You need a licence.** Article 75 of Costa Rica's Fishing and Aquaculture Law (Law 8436) says everyone practicing sport fishing on board a vessel must carry an INCOPESCA sport fishing licence (carné). That applies to visitors too. INCOPESCA, the national fisheries institute, sells licences online and at its offices, and FECOP lists 3 durations: up to 8 days, 1 month and 1 year. Many charters buy the short licence for their guests; if yours doesn't, buy it online before you travel, since there's often no INCOPESCA office near the beach. **Boats need a licence too.** Under article 79, boats that take paying anglers must be registered with the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) and hold a special INCOPESCA licence. It's fair to ask your captain about both. **Billfish and tarpon go back alive.** Article 76 names sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin and tarpon as species of tourist-sport interest, and article 68 tells INCOPESCA to promote releasing live fish. Sport and charter anglers release billfish, and good crews keep them in the water for photos and use circle hooks. INCOPESCA also bans commercial longlining with live bait within 30 miles of the Pacific coast, treating it as fishing aimed at sailfish (agreement AJDIP/252-2023). **What you can keep.** INCOPESCA sets sizes, seasons and catch limits for sport fishing (article 73). FECOP notes that only 5 fish may be landed per trip, however many anglers are aboard. Crews usually let guests keep a dorado or tuna for dinner and release the rest. **No fishing in national parks.** Article 9 bans sport fishing in national parks, natural monuments and biological reserves, including their marine areas: Manuel Antonio, Cahuita, Cabo Blanco and much of Tortuguero, among others. Wildlife refuges have their own rules. ## Fishing responsibly Costa Rica's fishery depends on fish going back healthy. A few habits make a real difference: let the crew keep a billfish in the water rather than lifting it aboard for photos, fight fish on tackle heavy enough to land them quickly, and keep only what you'll eat that day. If you see something wrong, such as a crew killing a sailfish, you can report it to INCOPESCA or the National Coast Guard Service. FECOP, the national sport fishing federation, also tracks billfish and roosterfish conservation issues and publishes news on current rules. ## How to choose a charter - **Check it's operating now.** Look for a working website or active social pages and recent reviews. Every operator we list has been checked this way. - **Ask where you'll board:** a marina, a beach launch or a mooring. - **Match the boat to the trip.** A 22 to 28 foot center console is ideal for inshore; offshore, a bigger boat with a cabin and toilet makes a long day easier. - **Ask what's included:** the licence, tackle, bait, drinks, lunch and hotel transport. - **Ask about tackle and handling:** circle hooks and in-water releases are signs of a careful crew. - **Check the safety gear:** life jackets for everyone, a radio and a working engine are the basics. - **Agree on the plan:** how long the trip is, how far you'll run, and what happens if the weather turns. ## What to bring - Polarized sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, a light long-sleeved shirt and reef-safe sunscreen. - Seasickness tablets, taken before you leave the dock. - Water and snacks, if the boat doesn't supply them. - A dry bag for your phone, passport copy and licence. - Non-marking shoes, plus sandals that can get wet if you board from the beach. - Cash for the crew's tip. ## Frequently asked questions ### When is the best time to go sportfishing in Costa Rica? It depends on the coast. The Central and Southern Pacific are best from about December to April, Guanacaste from about May to December, and the Caribbean's tarpon are caught all year. ### Do tourists need a fishing licence in Costa Rica? Yes. Everyone fishing from a sport boat needs an INCOPESCA licence. You can buy one online for 8 days, 1 month or 1 year, and many charters include it. ### Can I keep a sailfish or marlin in Costa Rica? No. Sailfish, marlin and tarpon are species of tourist-sport interest under Law 8436, and sport and charter anglers release them alive. ### Which coast is better for fishing, Pacific or Caribbean? For billfish, roosterfish and a wide choice of charters, the Pacific. For tarpon and snook, the Caribbean's northern river mouths. ### Can I fish inside a national park? No. Costa Rica's fishing law bans sport fishing in national parks, including their marine areas.