Fly Fishing in Costa Rica

Fly Fishing in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, with more than 800 miles of coastline, is a country in Central America renowned for its fly fishing. Costa Rica has a huge sport fishing infrastructure and offers fly fishing, inshore and offshore opportunities. The country has major saltwater coastal areas, including the Pacific and the Caribbean Coast, where you can find various abundant species of fish.

Costa Rica attracts millions of visitors annually, which contributes significantly to the country's economy and creates numerous job opportunities as well. Many celebrities, including US presidents and politicians like Dwight D. Eisenhower and George W. Bush, Michael Jordan (NBA), MLB Hall of Famer Ted Williams, golf player Greg Norman, and Hollywood stars like Mark Wahlberg & Jimmy Buffett, have visited Costa Rica to participate in sport fishing activities and events.

 

Costa Rica is a haven for anglers, and as a fly fishing enthusiast, you might want to visit Costa Rica, but a lack of knowledge might hold you back. So in this guide, we have covered every aspect of fly fishing in Costa Rica, including the best places, fish species, best time, and details about fishing licenses.

Reading this guide will clear all your concerns about a fly fishing trip to Costa Rica, and you will be all set for your next trip to an ultimate fishing destination.

Best Places for Fly Fishing in Costa Rica

While visiting Costa Rica for fishing, the first concern that comes to mind is where to stay and fish — the ideal location where you can find hotels, shops, resorts, and local transportation, along with multiple fishing spots as close as possible.

For Costa Rica, we have listed some coasts, provinces, cities, and specific spots, as well as highly famous spots in the region for sport fishing activities.

The Pacific Coast and the Caribbean Coast mainly contribute to the fishing activities in Costa Rica. Multiple provinces, towns, and beaches around them are involved in fishing activities throughout the year.

Guanacaste

A large province in the country, highly famous for its fishing events and activities, is filled with tourists and anglers all year round. Along with the fishing spots, the province also has quality resorts, hotels, shopping malls, and the best facilities for tourists.
May through late August is considered the peak time for fly fishing, although the sport fishing never stops in this region. Some of the most abundant species in the area are Sailfish, Roosterfish, Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, Yellowfin, and Snook.
Tamarindo, Nosara, Samara, Flamingo, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Panama are the top fishing spots in Guanacaste province. The Pacific coastline is the main source of fishing in the region.

Puntarenas

Puntarenas is another famous province in Costa Rica, bordered by the Pacific Coast, and the beaches around are mainly the best places for fly fishing. You can enjoy both inshore and offshore fishing activities in this province.
Quepos, Bahia Rica, La Patrona, Playa Blanca, and San Lucas are the most visited places in Puntarenas for fishing. Wahoo, Snapper, Mahi-Mahi, Tuna, and Roosterfish are the most abundant species in the water bodies in Puntarenas.

Limon

Limon is mostly surrounded by the Caribbean Coast, making it different from fly fishing in Puntarenas and Guanacaste regarding fishing season and fish species.
Snook and Tarpon are popular targets for fishing in Limon; however, there is an abundance of Mahi-Mahi and Great Barracuda.
Limon offers major fly fishing opportunities for Tarpon and Snook from February to May and October to November.

Tortuguero

Tortuguero is known for Tarpon fishing in the Caribbean Sea and surrounding rivers and jungle canals. Along with Tarpon, other abundant fish species include Snook, Jack, and Snapper.


This place has varied opportunities, from freshwater to fishing in coastal areas, along with the best equipment, multiple locations, and scenic beauty.

Nosara

Nosara is one of the best fly fishing places in Costa Rica. Its accessible surf and inshore structure make it ideal for fly fishing. River Nosara and Playa Nosara are famous fishing spots for fly fishing enthusiasts.
Roosterfish and Jacks are the most abundant species in the water bodies of Nosara. Fly fishing activities are usually conducted in the dry season from December to April.

Liberia

Liberia’s freshwater rivers and reservoirs make it an excellent fly fishing destination. Snook and Machaca are among the top catches by fly fishing anglers in this region.
Papagayo and Flamingo beaches are the most vital fishing destinations in the region. The dry season, from December to April, is considered an active and suitable time for fly fishing in Liberia.

Best Beaches in Costa Rica for Fly Fishing

Coastal areas are the biggest fly fishing attractions in Costa Rica. Wherever you stay, in a province or a city, you will have to find beaches to take part in the fishing action.
The best beaches in Costa Rica for Fly Fishing are:

  • Playa Nosara (Guanacaste Pacific)

  • Playa Junquillal (Guanacaste Pacific)

  • Barra del Colorado (Limon Caribbean)

  • Playa Avellanas (Guanacaste Pacific)

  • Playa Zancudo (Puntarenas)

  • Playa Negra (Limon Caribbean)

  • Playa Manzanillo (Limon Caribbean)

Best Fishing Species in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a variety of fish species, and there you'll almost always end your trip with a good number of catches. We have given a list of all species with their detailed information in the region.

Tarpon

Tarpon is the best catch for fly fishing anglers in Costa Rica. Tarpon in Costa Rica typically range from 80 to 100 lbs; however, you can also find large-sized Tarpon of around 150 lbs. Tarpon is abundant on the Caribbean Coast.

Roosterfish

Roosterfish is also among the abundant species in the country, mostly found on the Pacific Coast. It is a famous sports fish, and its ability to fight and bite makes it challenging to catch for anglers. Roosterfish in Costa Rica usually weigh above 100 lbs.

Sailfish

Sailfish are abundant in Costa Rica and available in the region throughout the year. Sailfish is also abundant on the Pacific Coast and weighs around 150 to 200 lbs.

Bonefish

Bonefish is the favorite catch of fly fishing enthusiasts in Costa Rica. The Bonefish is smaller in size, around 5 to 15 pounds.

Mahi-Mahi

Mahi-Mahi is a vibrant-colored fish available on both, i.e., Pacific and Caribbean Coasts. It is also among the famous sports fish in Costa Rica, can grow up to 6 feet, and weighs around 80 pounds.

Snook

Snook is also popular among fly fishing anglers in Costa Rica, abundant across the year, though winters are considered the best time for snook fishing. The record for the biggest Snook ever caught still belongs to the Costa Rica Caribbean Coast.

Best Time and Season for Fly Fishing in Costa Rica

Fishing activities never stop in Costa Rica; however, some months are busier than others. Similarly, fishing at a specific time results in more catches. So, down below we have listed the best fishing season and time for fly fishing in Costa Rica.

Best Fly Fishing Season

Winters are considered the best time for fly fishing in Costa Rica; the months from November up to April are best for fly fishing to gain maximum catch on every trip.

Best Time for Fly Fishing

Similar to the fishing regions across the world, early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for fly fishing in Costa Rica.

Fly Fishing License and Rules in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Agriculture (INCOPESCA) issues licenses for anglers in Costa Rica. There are multiple license fees depending on the type and time frame of the license, which we have mentioned below:

License Types and Prices

The following are the types of fishing licenses with their prices in US dollars in Costa Rica:

  • Sport Fishing from a Boat 8 Days ($16.95)
  • Sport Fishing from a Boat 30 Days ($28.25)
  • Sport Fishing from a Boat 1 Year ($56.50)
  • Underwater Fishing 1 Year ($56.50)
  • Sport Fishing from Land or Kayak 1 Year (¢6215)

How to Apply for a License

You can apply for a Costa Rica fishing license online through the website of INCOPESCA. You just have to enter your personal information and select the type of license you want. Then you have to pay the fee for the license.
After the complete processing of your license, you will receive a confirmation and proof of your license once the payment is complete and the details are verified.

So these were all details about fly fishing in Costa Rica, and reading this guide before a fishing trip to Costa Rica will be very helpful and informative. If you have ever visited Costa Rica or have been fishing in the country, comment down your favourite moment.