Costa Rica Fishing Charters | Inshore & Offshore Trips

Inshore or offshore?

Inshore trips stay near the coast, around rocky points and islands. They're shorter and often calmer. Operators list roosterfish, snapper and jacks as common targets.
Offshore trips run out to deep water for sailfish, marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi. They take longer, so most are three-quarter or full days.

Most charters run as a half day (about 4 hours), three-quarter day or full day (8 hours or more). Shorter trips suit families and first-timers.

The price: is it per boat or per person? Every fishing charter listed here is priced per boat.
The fishing licence: anglers need a sport fishing licence from INCOPESCA, the national fisheries institute. It's bought online on INCOPESCA's website. INCOPESCA lists $16.95 for 8 days, $28.25 for a month and $56.50 for a year (checked 2026-10-19, while its site showed a maintenance page). Ask your crew if they help with it.
Food and drinks: some trips include lunch, some only snacks.
Tips: several operators say crew tips are extra.
Catch and release: ask how your crew handles billfish such as sailfish and marlin. Operators we list say they release them.
Protected waters: some protected marine areas limit or ban fishing, including waters off Guanacaste such as the Bat Islands. Your captain should know the current rules.

Listed as: Operator
Departs from: The beach near Amor de Temporada park in Playas del Coco. You board from the sand by tender. The exact spot comes with your confirmation.
Private or shared: Private (the boat is reserved for your group)
Trip: Inshore and offshore fishing
Length: 4, 6 or 8 hours
Boat: Fleet includes a 31 ft Boston Whaler, a 35 ft Bertram (up to 7 guests) and a 50 ft Ocean yacht; ask which boat leaves from Coco
Included: Rods and reels, bait and tackle, captain and crew, a cooler with water, beer, soft drinks and fruit. Snacks and sandwiches on 6- and 8-hour trips.
Not included: Not listed on the page. Ask about fishing licences and tips.
Price: See current price
Cancellation: Not listed on the page. Ask before you pay.
How to book: Contact the operator with your date, number of anglers, trip length and type of fishing.
Source: Papagayo Sport Fishing, checked 2026-10-19

Listed as: Booking agent (offers a choice of boats from several captains)
Departs from: On the beach in Playas del Coco, at a spot agreed when you book. The agent says boats wait in the bay and a dinghy brings you out.
Private or shared: Private (prices are for the whole boat)
Trip: Inshore and offshore fishing; beach-day and snorkel tours on the same boats
Length: 4, 6 or 8 hours (fishing)
Boat: Sea Snake 2 (31 ft, up to 4 people); Rampage (32 ft, up to 5 people); Lupo II (50 ft Post yacht, up to 10 people)
Included: Not itemised on the Coco page. Ask what the boat includes.
Not included: A driver from inland hotels is paid separately.
Price: Per boat: Sea Snake 2 from $850 for 4 hours; Rampage from $1,100 for 4 hours; Lupo II from $2,650 for 5 hours (regular price on the agent's page, checked 2026-10-19)
Cancellation: Not listed on the page. Ask before you pay.
How to book: Request a quote from the agent. The page says a few of its boats leave only from Flamingo, Sámara or Garza, so confirm your boat can meet you in Coco.
Source: Papagayo Fishing (booking agent), checked 2026-10-19

Listed as: Operator
Departs from: Los Sueños Resort & Marina, Herradura Bay.
Private or shared: Private sportfishing charters
Trip: Offshore and inshore fishing; multi-day trips
Length: Half day, full day and multi-day
Boat: Two Luhrs Open Express boats: Los Sueños (36 ft) and Dream II (32 ft). Each carries up to 5 anglers, per the FAQ.
Included: Rods, reels, bait and tackle, captain and mate, and on full days snacks, drinks and a catered lunch.
Not included: Your INCOPESCA sport fishing licence and crew tips are separate.
Price: See current price
Cancellation: Not listed on this page. Ask before you pay.
How to book: Book with the operator. You need an INCOPESCA sport fishing licence. Licences are bought online through INCOPESCA's website; ask the operator how they help.
Source: Dream Boats CR, checked 2026-10-19

Listed as: Operator
Departs from: Marina Pez Vela, Quepos. Your captain confirms the meeting time when you book.
Private or shared: Private (one price per boat)
Trip: Inshore and offshore fishing
Length: Half day 4 to 5 hours; three-quarter day 6 to 7 hours; full day offshore 8 hours or more (ask the operator for the exact length)
Boat: 31 ft boat, up to 6 anglers
Included: Captain, rods, reels and tackle, and food on board (sandwiches and hot dogs).
Not included: You need an INCOPESCA sport fishing licence. Licences are bought online through INCOPESCA's website; the team says it helps arrange it.
Price: Per boat: half-day inshore $950; three-quarter-day inshore $1,150; three-quarter-day offshore $1,300; full-day offshore $1,550 (regular prices, checked 2026-10-19)
Cancellation: Not listed on the charters page. Ask before you pay.
How to book: Book with the operator.
Source: Costa Rica Fishing Company, checked 2026-10-19

Listed as: Operator
Departs from: The resort's pier in Puerto Jiménez. Boats are ready from 6:30 a.m. and return between 3 and 3:30 p.m.
Private or shared: Private (priced per boat per day)
Trip: Inshore and offshore fishing in the Golfo Dulce and the Pacific
Length: Full day
Boat: 24 to 25 ft Boston Whalers, 33 ft Strike Towers, 36 ft Front Runner
Included: Electronics and safety gear on every boat; drinks and other inclusions vary by package, per the page.
Not included: Tax is added.
Price: See current price
Cancellation: Package terms are on the rates page. Ask before you pay.
How to book: Book with the resort.
Source: Crocodile Bay Resort, checked 2026-10-19