Board at the marina
Meet your captain and crew at Los Sueños early, while the bay is still calm.
Fish Costa Rica · Herradura Bay · Central Pacific
Playa Herradura
Fishing
A sheltered bay on the Central Pacific with Los Sueños Marina inside it. Inshore spots are minutes from the dock, blue water is about 30–40 minutes out, and San José airport is about 1.5 hours away.
Sheltered bayCalm water inside Herradura Bay
Los Sueños MarinaThe closest major marina to San José
~1.5 h from SJOAbout 5 minutes north of Jacó
30–40 minFrom the dock to blue water
The bay
A calm bay with
a marina inside it.
Herradura means “horseshoe”, and that’s the shape of the bay: a curve of beach with rocky headlands at each end that keep out much of the ocean swell. It sits on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, about 5 minutes north of Jacó.
Los Sueños Marina is built inside the bay. Around it are the Los Sueños resort, a golf course, condos and villas. It is the closest major marina to San José, about 1.5 hours’ drive from the airport (SJO), which makes Herradura one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to go fishing on a short trip.
Where you fish
Inshore, offshore
or far offshore.
One marina, three kinds of fishing. Your captain picks the spots on the day, based on the season, the water and the bait.
Minutes from the dockInshore around the bayThe rocky points at each end of the bay, and the headlands, reefs and small islands along the coast north and south of it. Roosterfish, snapper, jacks and sierra mackerel, with snook around river mouths.About inshore fishing →
Full day · 30–40 min runOffshore from the marinaBoats run about 30–40 minutes to blue water and fish roughly 25–40 miles out. Sailfish, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado.About offshore fishing →
Multi-dayFAD trips far offshoreOvernight and multi-day trips to FADs far offshore, for anglers who want more hours on the big fish.About FAD fishing →
Nearby coast, by name: these spots are within reach of a Herradura boat or a short drive away.
What a day looks like
A fishing day
in Herradura Bay.
Out of the bay
Inshore spots are minutes away. Offshore, it’s about 30–40 minutes to blue water.
Find the fish
Live bait on the rocks, or trolling and teasing for billfish offshore. All billfish are released.
Back to the dock
Half days are back around midday; full days in the afternoon, in time for the pool.
Seasons in short
When to fish Herradura.
- Sailfish: peak December–April
- Blue marlin: best May–October
- Dorado: strong roughly October–January
- Yellowfin tuna and roosterfish: all year
Billfish are always catch-and-release on non-offset circle hooks, and every angler needs a Costa Rica fishing license.
Where to stay
Sleep close to the boat.
You can stay right at the marina, in a villa nearby, or in one of the beach towns a few minutes away.
At the marinaStaying at Los SueñosGuests at the Los Sueños resort, the Marriott or a resort villa: how to plan a fishing day.Resort guests →
Groups & familiesFishing villasVacation villa rentals near Los Sueños for groups who want space and a kitchen.Villa rentals →
CompareHerradura or Playa Hermosa?The calm marina bay or the surf beach south of Jacó: which base suits your trip.Herradura vs Playa Hermosa →
Booking a boat
Ready to pick a boat?
The private sportfishers we book in Herradura Bay are all based at Los Sueños Marina. You’ll find each boat, its size and how many anglers it takes on our Los Sueños charters page.
Not sure what size you need, or whether a smaller panga could do the job? Compare them first.
Playa Herradura fishing questions
Good to know.
Tell us your dates and we’ll plan your day on the bay.
Where is Playa Herradura?
On Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast, about 5 minutes north of Jacó and about 1.5 hours’ drive from San José airport (SJO).
Is Los Sueños Marina in Playa Herradura?
Yes. Los Sueños Marina is inside Herradura Bay, and it is where the sportfishing charters in Playa Herradura leave from.
How far offshore do the boats go?
It takes about 30–40 minutes to reach blue water, and a typical day trip fishes roughly 25–40 miles out. Inshore spots are minutes from the marina.
What can I catch in Playa Herradura?
Offshore: sailfish, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado. Inshore: roosterfish, snapper, jacks and sierra mackerel.
When is the best time to fish Herradura?
Sailfish peak from December to April and blue marlin from May to October. Tuna and roosterfish are around all year, so there is always something to fish for.
Is the bay calm enough for families?
The bay is sheltered, and inshore spots are close, so a half-day inshore trip is a good choice with kids or first-timers.
Plan your trip
Fish Herradura Bay
with us.
Tell us your dates, where you’re staying, how many people are fishing and whether you’d like inshore, offshore or both. We’ll send you options and a quote.
USA & Canada: 1-800-986-6980
Costa Rica / WhatsApp: +506 8888 4723