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
Trevally
Trevally
Snook
Snook
Snapper
Snapper
App Section

Want trophy-size catches? These Costa Rica spots deliver

Top fishing spots in Costa Rica

catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Potrero

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.8
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Herradura

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.9
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Tamarindo

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

5.0
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Venado

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.5
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Brasilito

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.6
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Manuel Antonio

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.9
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía Matapalo

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

4.7
catch
catch
catch
catch
Bahía del Jaco

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.3
catch
catch
catch
catch
Boca de Bejuco

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

4.8
catch
catch
catch
catch
Río Costa Rica

Limón, Costa Rica

4.7
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime appDownload the Bitetime app
Download the Bitetime app

Biggest catches in Costa Rica

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

Costa Rica fishing reports

Loading...

Indo-Pacific sailfish

Bahía Manuel Antonio

120 in · 140 lb

Loading...

Indo-Pacific sailfish

Río Costa Rica

length · weight

Loading...

Pacific crevalle jack

Bahía Potrero

length · weight

Loading...

Atlantic sailfish

Río Costa Rica

96 in · 110 lb

Loading...

Crevalle jack

Bahía Matapalo

length · weight

Loading...

Atlantic croaker

Bahía Brasilito

17 in · 2 lb

Loading...

Great northern tilefish

Bahía Potrero

20 in · 3 lb

Loading...

Atlantic croaker

Bahía Brasilito

18 in · 2 lb 3 oz

Loading...

Yellowfin tuna

Bahía Hermosa

length · weight

Loading...

Grey sea chub

Bahía Potrero

18 in · 4 lb

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

FAQ about fishing in Costa Rica

🐟 What are the best fish species to catch in Costa Rica?
Some of the most popular species anglers target in Costa Rica include Tuna, Trevally, and Snook. 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.
🌊 Where are the top fishing spots in 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.
Explore more
Popular species in Costa Rica
Common dolphinfishRoosterfishYellowfin tunaCrevalle jackIndo-Pacific sailfishWolf cichlidPacific crevalle jackCommon snookMachacaSkipjack tunaNorthern red snapperSpanish mackerelEastern Pacific bonitoBlackfin tunaJordan's snapperMangrove snapperRainbow troutCubera snapperWahooGreat barracudaFlat needlefishGiant hawkfishJaguar cichlidAtlantic sailfishAtlantic croakerExplore 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 JacóBahía HermosaQuebrada GarzaLaguna de ArenalRío CuartoGolfo de PapagayoBoca del Río TusubresQuebrada CamarónPopular Waters