Costa Rica Fish Species
Five-Star Pacific Ocean Fishing
The warm and rich waters of the Pacific Ocean along Costa Rica's coastline attract many different types of fish all year long.
The numerous feeder fish and plankton attract predatory fish species that sport anglers enjoy catching. The iconic blue and black marlin, the porpoise-loving yellowfin tuna, and the glittery, acrobatic mahi-mahi or dorado are all available offshore.
Home to a wide variety of fish species, Costa Rica boasts 84 IGFA world records for dorado, snook, and snapper. Los Suenos alone holds IGFA records for roosterfish, sailfish, and marlin.
Inland and Freshwater Fishing
Costa Rica's landscape is dotted with waterways, from lakes to lagoons to rivers that stretch hundreds of miles. If you prefer freshwater fishing, then you'll be glad to know that snook (the current IGFA record holder), guapote (a leopard-spotted cichlid), and tarpon (as big as 200 pounds) are all available. The waters - both offshore and inland - in Costa Rica are all teeming with fish, and that's why the country is considered the angler's paradise.
Yellowfin Tuna Fishing in Costa Rica
Wahoo Fishing in Costa Rica
Tarpon Fishing in Costa Rica
Snook Fishing in Costa Rica
Snapper Fishing in Costa Rica
Sailfish Fishing in Costa Rica
Roosterfish Fishing in Costa Rica
Marlin Fishing in Costa Rica
Considering that it's also known as "Rich Coast," it's no surprise to learn that Costa Rica has some of the best coastal sport and deep-sea fishing in the world. It is worth noting that there are over 80 IGFA world record fish caught in Costa Rica. Big sailfish in both the Caribbean and Pacific include blue and black marlin, and you can also pursue snapper, mackerel, grouper, corvina, roosterfish, and wahoo. Barra del Colorado offers a variety of light tackle game fish, snook, and Atlantic tarpon at the point where the Rio Colorado River empties into the Caribbean Sea.
While Costa Rica's blue water fishing experience is renowned worldwide, very few people know Costa Rica's inland rivers and lakes offer out-of-this-world freshwater fishing.
You probably have never heard of mojarra, jaguar guapote, and the machaca (Costa Rica's piranha family representative), but experienced fishing guides from the area know where you can find them.
Many fishing enthusiasts get surprised when they learn that the country's high mountain streams offer exemplary fly casting for rainbow trout. If you love fishing and are planning on spending some time in Costa Rica, remember to carry your reel and rod and plan to go on a mountain fishing excursion during your stay.
Striped, blue, and black marlin swim along with dorado, wahoo, and yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Snapper, grouper, wahoo, and roosterfish are plentiful around the rocks, reefs, and islands near the shore.
Fortunately, there are plenty of fishing charters along both coasts that offer fishing trip excursions to those interested. The cost of hiring a full boat charter ranges from around $800 USD to over $4,500 USD a day.