Anglers in Costa Rican waters have landed over 100 world-record catches, including blue marlin, Pacific sailfish, dolphin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, guapote, and snook. Whether you want to head offshore looking for a big sail, wrestle a tarpon near a Caribbean river mouth, or choose a quiet spot on Arenal Lake to cast for guapote, you'll find it here. You can raise a marlin anywhere along the Pacific coast.
Many of the Pacific port and beach towns -- Quepos, Puntarenas, Playa del Coco, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Golfito, Drake Bay, Zancudo -- support large charter fleets and have hotels that cater to anglers; see chapters 6, 8, and 9 for recommended boats, captains, and lodges. Costs for fishing trips usually range between $400 and $1,600 (£200-£800) per day (depending on the size of the boat) for boat, captain, tackle, drinks, and lunch, so the cost per person depends on the size of the group.
Costa Rica Outdoors (tel. 800/308-3394 in the U.S. or 282-6743; www.costaricaoutdoors.com) is a well-established operation run by longtime resident, fisherman, and outdoor writer Jerry Ruhlow, specializing in booking fishing trips around the country.
Fishing Lodges
Aguila de Osa Inn (tel. 866/924-8452 in the U.S. and Canada, or 296-2190; www.aguiladeosainn.com) is a luxury lodge in Drake Bay.
The Río Colorado Lodge (tel. 800/243-9777 in the U.S. and Canada, or 232-4063; www.riocoloradolodge.com) is located at the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge.
The Zancudo Lodge (tel. 877/529-6980 in the U.S., or 776-0008; www.thezancudolodge.com) is located in Playa Zancudo.
Silver King Lodge (tel. 800/847-3474 in the U.S., or 711-0708; www.silverkinglodge.net) is a luxury lodge at Barra del Colorado.
