Tarpon in the sea
When the sea is calm, boats fish just outside the river mouths, where big tarpon roll and feed close to shore.
Fish Costa Rica · The other coast
Caribbean Costa Rica
Fishing
Jungle rivers, lagoons and river mouths full of tarpon and snook. A completely different fishery from the Pacific, and one of the best tarpon coasts in the world.
Tarpon & snookThe Caribbean’s main gamefish
Rivers & lagoonsPlus fishing just off the beach
Freshwater tooRainbow bass, machaca, mojarra
Since 1990Planning Caribbean fishing trips
A different Costa Rica
Not billfish. Silver King.
On the Pacific, anglers run offshore for sailfish and marlin. The Caribbean is about tarpon and snook, caught in the rivers, lagoons and canals that wind through the rainforest, and in the sea just off the river mouths, often only 200 to 500 yards from shore.
The coast is wild and lightly developed, with Tortuguero National Park, nesting sea turtles and a strong Afro-Caribbean culture that goes back to the 1800s.
Where to fish
Three parts of the Caribbean coast.
Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast runs about 200 km from the Nicaraguan border to Panama. The fishing is best in the wild north.
North Caribbean · Our tripsTortugueroA jungle village reached by small plane or boat. Our tarpon and snook packages with Captain Eddie Brown run here.Tortuguero fishing trips →
Far north · Río ColoradoBarra del ColoradoThe remote area near the Nicaraguan border where Costa Rica’s largest river meets the sea. A fly-in destination for big tarpon.Barra del Colorado fishing →
South CaribbeanLimón, Cahuita & Puerto ViejoBeaches, reefs and Caribbean culture. A great place to relax before or after a fishing trip up north.Plan a Caribbean trip →
Choose your coast
Caribbean or Pacific?
| Caribbean | Pacific | |
|---|---|---|
| Main fish | Tarpon, snook, rainbow bass | Sailfish, marlin, tuna, dorado, roosterfish |
| Where you fish | Rivers, lagoons, canals and just off the beach | Offshore blue water and coastal reefs |
| Getting there | Small plane or boat into remote villages | Mostly by road to marinas |
| Trip style | Lodge-based, multi-day packages | Day charters or packages |
| Weather | Rain patterns differ from the Pacific | Dry season Dec–Apr, green season May–Nov |
Want both? We can combine a few days of Pacific billfishing with tarpon on the Caribbean. See fishing packages, or compare Pacific ports on our destinations page.
Types of fishing
Three ways to fish
the Caribbean.
Snook & river tarpon
When the sea is rough, fishing moves into the rivers and lagoons, which hold tarpon and snook all year.
Freshwater species
Rainbow bass (guapote), machaca and mojarra in the canals: light-tackle fun with wildlife all around.
How to target them, plus seasons and tackle: read our Caribbean tarpon & snook guide.
Caribbean species
What you can catch.
You may also catch snapper, and on rare occasions dorado or even Atlantic sailfish. See all fish species in Costa Rica.
More than fishing
Rainforest, turtles and Caribbean culture.
- Tortuguero National Park: canals and rainforest full of monkeys, toucans, caimans and sloths
- Sea turtles: green, leatherback and hawksbill turtles nest on the beaches in season
- Afro-Caribbean culture: food, music and history from communities settled in the 1800s
Bringing non-fishing guests? The Caribbean is one of the best places in Costa Rica to combine fishing with wildlife.
Plan your trip
Start with Tortuguero.
Book a Tortuguero fishing trip
Our 6-day / 5-night package includes transfers, flights from San José, the lodge and 3 guided fishing days with Captain Eddie Brown or his team.
Pick your dates
Tarpon are caught all year, but sea conditions decide whether you fish outside the river mouths or inside the lagoons. Check the best months before you book.
Caribbean fishing questions
Good to know.
Not sure which coast fits your trip? Tell us your dates and target fish.
What fish can you catch on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast?
Mainly tarpon and snook, plus freshwater rainbow bass (guapote), machaca and mojarra in the canals, and jacks and snapper along the coast.
Where is the best fishing on the Caribbean side?
The wild northern coast: Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado, where big rivers meet the sea.
How is Caribbean fishing different from the Pacific?
The Caribbean is about tarpon and snook in rivers, lagoons and just off the beach. The Pacific is about offshore billfish, tuna and dorado, plus inshore roosterfish.
How do you get to Tortuguero?
By a short domestic flight from San José, or by road and boat through the canals. There are no roads into the village.
Can I fish both coasts on one trip?
Yes. We can combine Caribbean tarpon with Pacific billfishing in one package.
Plan your Caribbean trip
Fish the wild side
of Costa Rica.
Tell us your travel dates, number of anglers and whether you’d like Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado or a two-coast trip.
USA & Canada: 1-800-986-6980
Costa Rica / WhatsApp: +506 8888 4723