Best Times & Seasons to Fish Costa Rica (Complete Guide)
With a staggering number of IGFA world records caught, Costa Rica is a must-visit destination for recreational anglers. Knowing the best seasons and times to fish Costa Rica can deliver you the vacation of a lifetime during the peak biting windows of the year.
The best time to fish in Costa Rica is December through April when dry weather attracts baitfish and sportfish to coastal waters and from May to November when seasonal rains can elicit feeding frenzies in various gamefish species.
In this article, we will really break down the best times and seasons for each major species of gamefish in Costa Rican waters, and tell when you should come to fish them.
Best Time to Fish in Costa Rica
Having a tropical climate means Costa Rica doesn’t experience the four seasons like many anglers are accustomed to.
Yet, the main question posed by many first-time Costa Rican Anglers is when is the best time to fish in Costa Rica? The answer to that, however, is you can expect to have a great fishing adventure any time of the year in Costa Rica.
Breaking Down the Seasons
Its proximity to the equator means the climate of Costa Rica only has two main seasons, summer and winter.
- December-April (Summer)
Summer is the dry season in Costa Rica, which means the water temperatures are warmer. This, in turn, attracts more life. This means baitfish begin to flourish drawing in larger schools of the trophy species.
- May-November (Winter)
Winter is known as the rainy season, with an average of 100 inches of rain falling per year. The added rain brings additional fishing opportunities, depending on the species you are after. We will look into which season is best for each of the major species later in the article.
One thing to keep in mind when determining the location within Costa Rica you will be fishing is the microclimates around the country due to the rising elevations in the mountainous areas.
Booking Charters in Costa Rica
When deciding on the destination of your next fishing trip to Costa Rica, the charter you choose ranks at the top of your list of priorities. We’re going to look at the best season for charters, as well as the time of day you should go and the length of trip you should book.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Costa Rica
These Costa Rica-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
| Snook Sportfishing | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| Jackpot Sport Fishing | Quepos, Costa Rica |
| Bucket List Sportfishing | Quepos, Costa Rica |
| Soleil Sport Fishing | Quepos, Costa Rica |
| Capullo Sportfishing/Rainbow Runner | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
| Luminare Sport Fishing | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| Fishing Lake Arenal | La Fortuna, Costa Rica |
| Sport Fishing El Gato III | Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica |
| Allin Sportfishing – 28’ Mako | Jacó, Costa Rica |
| Pacific Boat Rentals – Mad Marlin | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| 35′ Cabo Express – Tamarindo Beach | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
| Capullo Sportfishing | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
Best Season to Book Fishing Charter in Costa Rica
One of the major draws of fishing in Costa Rica is the year-round ability to catch fish. That being said, there are peaks throughout the year depending on which species you’re going for.
For example, billfish often peak during the summer season, while marlin commonly get double-digit catches a day during the winter season.
Many fishing charters in Costa Rica operate 365 days a year. However, many report their busiest times to be between the months of May and September.
With that in mind, you might find the off months to be just as exciting while having less competition on the waters.
Best Time of Day for a Costa Rica Fishing Charter
When fishing on a charter in Costa Rica, most start early in the morning, with many captains wanting to launch out before 6 a.m.
Morning Fishing
Getting started at first light is often preferred as many of the trophy fish you might be after live well off the shoreline, with travel times averaging an hour or more.
The con, though, would be the amount of competition for these charters you’ll see in the morning. With the action being so popular, their times tend to fill quickly.
Afternoon Fishing
When in such a climate as Costa Rica has, the temperature is always going to be a cause for concern. This seems to especially be the case when fishing on a charter in the afternoon.
On the flip side, the number of anglers does tend to be less than morning fishing when going on a charter. If going on an afternoon trip, ensure to have the needed gear to stay safe and avoid sunstroke.
There are several factors that go into deciding which time of the day is best for you to book a charter. In the end, your preference will be the biggest deciding factor.
Best Charter Length
When deciding on a fishing charter trip ion Costa Rica, you’ll need to decide which length of trip is best for you. Longer trips are better during warmer months so you can maximize your fishing time on the water. Shorter trips can be great for the winter months where captains can selectively choose the ideal time windows for fishing.
½ Day Trip
If you will be fishing with your family and children, this might be the best length for you. It provides enough chance to land a trophy fish while not being too overwhelming for some.
The con, though, is that many species live an hour or more from the charter’s origin, so travel time takes up a considerable amount of your allotted time.
Full Day Trip
A full-day charter is the most popular, ensuring plenty of time with lines in the water along with allowing plenty of travel time to get on the bigger fish.
The downside, though, is the time spent on the water: some anglers are not accustomed to being on the open sea for this length of time. Pro Tip: Be sure to take seasickness medication with you, just in case.
Multi-Day Charters
Multi-day fishing charters are for the most avid of anglers looking for an all-inclusive, live-aboard experience while going after some of the biggest fish in the world.
These multi-day trips allow for opportunities to fish in less pressured waters, which often equates to more fish on the line and bigger fish in the boat. If this is what you’re after, you can expect to pay a premium, but multi-day charters are definitely worth every penny.
Best Times/Seasons to Catch Fishing in Costa Rica (Species Breakdown)
Roosterfish
If fishing for roosterfish in the Northern Pacific region, the peak season is November to March. If in the Central Pacific Region, it is June to September. If you’re fishing in the southern pacific, the roosterfish can be caught all year round.
The roosterfish is one of the most sought-after fish in Costa Rica. While the roosterfish is an inshore species, meaning it can be found in the shallower waters, peak season depends on which area of Costa Rica you wish to fish. Also, many anglers have had success when fishing for roosterfish in the river mouths or while surfcasting.
Snook
Snook can be caught year-round on both of Costa Rica’s coasts. If you’re fishing on the Pacific coast, the best time would be from January to April.
If on the Caribbean side, the best times would be between January to June and September to October. Another excellent place to find the snook in Costa Rica is in the Cano Negra region, though it is closed in July and August due to the spawning season.
Many anglers in the lagoons and inland rivers have had a great deal of success with hooking the snook, as well, and are typically found close to the shore.
Tarpon
Unlike many other species, tarpon fishing in Costa Rica is not based on migratory seasons. Only found on the Caribbean coast, the tarpon can be fished year-round in both the sea’s waters and upstream in rivers and lagoons. The peak seasons, however, tend to be between February and May as well as between September and October.
The biggest factor to the peak seasons isn’t so much the fish as it is the weather, with the ability to navigate out of the river mouths being paramount.
Sailfish
The best place to go for the sailfish is the Pacific coast, where large numbers are caught all year round. If you are fishing for sailfish in the Southern or Central Pacific regions, the peak season tends to be from late November to May.
If going to the Northern Pacific, you’ll find more fish between May to November. And, while the occasional sailfish can be caught in shallow waters, there is a greater chance of success and size when fishing in the deep water.
Snapper
Costa Rica is known for its two species of snappers, the Cubera and Red Snapper, both of which can be caught all year round. And, while it is not uncommon to find them close to shore, the biggest snappers are usually in deep waters around reefs and wreckage.
The best thing about them is they can be caught on both sides of Costa Rica, the Caribbean, and Pacific coasts.
The snapper is also affected by both water temperatures and ocean currents, meaning finding a charter who is familiar with the species is key to the success of your trip. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish near Panama, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Marlin
There are three major species of marlins found in Costa Rica, blue, black, and striped, with the blue marlin being the most popular. Marlin enjoy the tropical temperatures of the Pacific, making the entire Pacific coast of Costa Rica a great spot for catching trophy marlin year-round.
If you will be marlin fishing in the Northern Pacific region, peak season is between May and October. If in the Central Pacific region, you’ll have the best success between the months of November to January, as well as May to July.
If going for the marlin, a day charter would be ideal as the typical travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Mahi-Mahi
Also known as the dolphinfish or the dorado, the mahi-mahi is possibly the easiest fish to catch in Costa Rica. They can be found all over the country and on both coasts. If the bigger bulls are what you’re after, though, you will want to go offshore.
While they can be fished at any time of the year, the peak season for mahi mahi (dolphin) tends to be during the tide season, between May and November.
Tuna
The tuna, specifically the yellowfin tuna, is likely the most sought-after species in Costa Rica, both for its challenging fight and commercial benefits. Tuna can be found in both oceans off Costa Rica, as well as smaller fish being found near islands and pinnacles inshore.
With the new regulations passed by the Costa Rican government, high numbers of tuna can be caught all year round, with the highest run being between April and July.
Wahoo
The wahoo are often seen and caught while fishing for other species, such as the sailfish. While wahoo can be caught year-round and, in both oceans, they seem to peak in the green season between May and September. They are a loner breed of fish, and among the fastest in the ocean, making them an elusive yet satisfying fight.
Pro Tip: be sure to use wire leaders as the wahoo will bite through anything you put in its path.
Costa Rica Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides cause the movement of water, which causes more currents. With this increase in the current of the water, fish tend to be more likely to feed, making them easier to catch. This is especially true for saltwater fish; as the baitfish become more active, the predatory fish will be more active.
What many do not realize, though, is the lack of tides on the Caribbean side. On the Pacific side, the tide can be several feet, while it is mere inches on the Caribbean. Regardless, it is important to be sure your fishing charter understands the role tides play in your fishing trip.
Top Fishing Spots in Costa Rica
Los Suenos Marina
Los Suenos Marina in the Central Pacific region is known for its abundance of marlin and roosterfish. The fishing from Los Suenos Marina is extremely consistent all year-round with opportunities for both inshore and off-shore fishing. This is also why so many tournaments are held here.
Crocodile Bay
The number of species caught year every year makes it a supreme destination for anglers. Inside the Gulfo Dulce you can expect to find species such as Trevally, Grouper, Snapper, Bluefin, and Roosterfish. Outside the Gulfo Dulce, anglers have caught Black and Striped Marlin, Sailfish Blue, and more.
What makes this place even more attractive is the access to multiple styles of fishing, from kayak and shore fishing to inshore and offshore.
Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Tamarindo is a favorite among charters with both full and half-day trips available. On a full-day trip, you can expect to catch marlin and sailfish while the half-day will seek out snapper and roosterfish. While fishing is great all year round off Tamarindo, the peak season for billfish tends to be from mid-April to August.
Quepos, Central Pacific
Quepos is a world-famous sports fishing destination dubbed the sailfish capital of the world. It’s also home to species such as the roosterfish, snapper, marlin, and mahi-mahi. Off Quepos, December to May are the peak months for sailfish, marlin, and tuna offshore. And, because the fish don’t migrate, inshore fishing is great year-round.
Lake Arenal
The largest lake in the country, Lake Arenal is home to some of the best freshwater fishing in the world. You’ll find the rainbow bass and quapote, as well as the machaca fish. Be ready for the weather to change at a moment’s notice, as heavy rainfalls can be had most of the year. If you want a great fishing guide for Lake Arenal, please check out Fishing Lake Arenal Guide Service.
Tortuguero
With most of the sportfishing taking place on the Pacific Coast, the Caribbean coast, namely Tortuguero, is home to some of the best tarpon fishing in the country. The peak fishing months in Tortuguero is between February and May, as well as September and October.
Storms & Costa Rica Fishing
Rain has little effect on fishing in Costa Rica, especially when fishing on a charter, as many of the charter boats are covered and big enough to withstand rain. However, the trouble comes when the rain brings storms.
Tropical Storms and hurricanes have a huge impact on fish. These weather events cause fish to leave the estuaries and coastal environments and go for deeper water.
What many don’t realize, however, is that fish can sense a change in the pressure much sooner than we can, so they will start to go towards deeper water 1-2 days before these storms hit. After the storms pass, you can expect to see the swimming patterns return to normal after just a couple of days.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Jamaica, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish for roosterfish in Costa Rica, please check out this helpful guide.
For a complete breakdown of the fishing charter costs in Costa Rica, please check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch sailfish in Costa Rica, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Honduras, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch roosterfish in Costa Rica, check out this guide.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch mahi-mahi in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Guatemala, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best time to catch snapper in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish in Argentina, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Amazon.
