1. Costa Rica

Fishing in Costa Rica

Fishing in Costa Rica includes saltwater fishing along the coastline as well as freshwater opportunities in rivers and lakes. Nearshore fishing targets a mix of coastal and reef species, while offshore trips often focus on pelagic fish such as tuna and mackerel depending on season and location.

Types of species in Costa Rica

Tuna
Tuna
Cichlid
Cichlid
Trevally
Trevally
Snook
Snook
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Want trophy-size catches? These Costa Rica spots deliver

Top fishing spots in Costa Rica

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Bahía Potrero

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.8
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Bahía Herradura

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.9
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Bahía Tamarindo

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

5.0
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Bahía Venado

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.5
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Bahía Brasilito

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.6
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Bahía Manuel Antonio

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.9
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Bahía Matapalo

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.6
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Bahía del Jaco

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.3
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Boca de Bejuco

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.8
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Río Costa Rica

Limon, Costa Rica

4.7
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Biggest catches in Costa Rica

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

Costa Rica fishing reports

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Eastern Pacific bonito

Bahía Potrero

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Rainbow runner

Boca del Río Tusubres

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Roosterfish

Bahía Herradura

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Indo-Pacific sailfish

Quebrada Mal País

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Areolate grouper

Bahía Potrero

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Areolate grouper

Bahía Potrero

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recently logged catches
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Areolate grouper

Bahía Potrero

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Little tunny

Bahía Brasilito

length · weight

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recently logged catches
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Little tunny

Bahía Brasilito

length · weight

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Yellowfin tuna

Bahía Herradura

length · weight

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FAQ about fishing in Costa Rica

Some of the most popular species anglers target in Costa Rica include Tuna, Cichlid, and Trevally. The best species often depend on season, water type, and location within the country.

For more detailed, real-time insights, the shows which species are being caught near you and what baits are working best across Costa Rica.
Some of the most popular fishing spots in Costa Rica include Bahía Potrero, Bahía Herradura, and Bahía Tamarindo. Anglers across the country fish a wide range of waters, with opportunities varying by region and season.

With the , you can explore local hotspots anywhere in Costa Rica, see recent catches, and find out what's working near you.
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Popular species in Costa Rica
Common dolphinfishRoosterfishYellowfin tunaWolf cichlidCrevalle jackIndo-Pacific sailfishCommon snookPacific crevalle jackMachacaSkipjack tunaNorthern red snapperSpanish mackerelEastern Pacific bonitoJordan's snapperBlackfin tunaMangrove snapperRainbow troutCubera snapperWahooGreat barracudaJaguar cichlidFlat needlefishGiant hawkfishBlue runnerAtlantic sailfishExplore species
Popular fishing waters in Costa Rica
Bahía PotreroBahía HerraduraBahía TamarindoBahía VenadoBahía BrasilitoBahía Manuel AntonioBahía MatapaloBahía del JacoBoca de BejucoRío Costa RicaQuebrada Mal PaísBahía JoboBahía JacóRío CuartoLaguna de ArenalQuebrada GarzaQuebrada CamarónBahía HermosaGolfo de PapagayoBoca del Río TusubresPopular Waters