Sportfishing in Costa Rica: fly to the best spots

2026-06-07 · 5 min read

Costa Rica is one of the planet’s great billfish destinations, with sailfish, marlin, roosterfish, dorado and tuna on both coasts. The catch — pun intended — is that the best marinas are hours apart by road. Flying gets you on the water at first light instead of finishing a long drive.

The Pacific hot spots

Quepos (Marina Pez Vela) is the central-Pacific hub for sailfish and marlin — fly to Quepos. The Golfo Dulce around Golfito and the waters off Drake Bay deliver world-class action in the south, including inshore roosterfish and offshore billfish.

The northern coast

The Papagayo and Tamarindo areas, reached via Liberia and Tamarindo, fish well in the dry season, with marlin and sailfish offshore and roosterfish along the coast.

When to go for what

• Sailfish: strong much of the year, peaking in the dry season (December–April).
• Marlin: best offshore in the green-season months.
• Roosterfish: inshore, year-round.
• Dorado and tuna: excellent in the green season.

More lines in the water

A morning charter has you fishing by sunrise rather than driving — maximising the prime early hours when the bite is best. Many anglers fly down for a dawn start and home the same evening. Bring your tackle; we plan capacity in advance (see gear and luggage).

Plan your trip

Pair a fishing day with a beach or rainforest stay, and time it with our seasons guide. Request a flight to get to the water faster, or message us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best sportfishing in Costa Rica?

Quepos for central-Pacific billfish, and the southern Golfo Dulce (Golfito, Drake Bay) for variety; Guanacaste shines in the dry season.

Can I fly with my fishing gear?

Yes, with advance notice so we assign the right aircraft — just tell us when booking.

When is sailfish season?

Sailfish run much of the year and peak in the dry season, December to April.