Where the Colorado meets the sea
The heart of Barra fishing. Tarpon gather and roll where the river’s current meets the Caribbean.
Fish Costa Rica · North Caribbean
Barra del Colorado
Fishing
Giant tarpon where Costa Rica’s largest river meets the Caribbean Sea. A remote, fly-in fishing destination near the Nicaraguan border, built for serious tarpon anglers.
Río ColoradoCosta Rica’s largest river
25-min flightFrom San José, no roads in
Tarpon 100 lb+Plus snook & jungle species
Quote onlyTrips built to your dates
Why Barra del Colorado
Big river.
Big tarpon.
Barra del Colorado sits inside the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, about 10 miles south of the Nicaraguan border. Here the Río Colorado, Costa Rica’s largest river, pours into the Caribbean, and the river mouth draws tarpon in big numbers.
Tarpon of 100 lb and more are common, and the fishing grounds are only minutes from the lodges by boat. There are no roads, no crowds, and very few boats on the water.
Where you fish
The river mouth, the sea
and the jungle upriver.
Just off the beach
When the sea is flat, boats run out past the bar to fish schools of tarpon close to shore.
Rivers, lagoons & canals
On rough days, fishing moves inside: tarpon and snook in the river, rainbow bass and machaca in the jungle lagoons.
Tackle and techniques are the same as elsewhere on the coast. Read our guide to catching tarpon & snook.
Fish & seasons
What you can catch.
Tripletail, cubera snapper, barracuda and alligator gar are also caught, and on calm days, sometimes tuna, wahoo or Atlantic sailfish offshore.
When to go
Barra is fished all year. Local guides rate February to mid-June and mid-August to November as the strongest months. Weather on the Caribbean changes quickly, so we’ll check conditions for your dates. See also the fishing calendar.
Your trip
A fly-in fishing lodge trip.
A typical trip includes
- Domestic flight San José ⇄ Barra del Colorado (about 25 minutes)
- Transfers in San José
- Riverside fishing lodge with all meals
- Full days of guided fishing with an experienced local guide
- Boats and tackle, conventional or fly
Good to know
- Trips usually run 3 to 7 fishing days.
- Small planes have strict luggage weight limits.
- A Costa Rica fishing license is required. We can help.
- Non-fishing companions are welcome. Ask us about wildlife tours.
- Every trip is quoted for your dates and group size.
Choose your spot
Barra del Colorado or Tortuguero?
| Barra del Colorado | Tortuguero | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Dedicated tarpon anglers | Fishing plus wildlife and culture |
| Setting | Remote refuge near the Nicaraguan border | Jungle village beside Tortuguero National Park |
| The water | Mouth of the Río Colorado, Costa Rica’s largest river | River mouths, canals and lagoons |
| Non-anglers | Quiet, nature and relaxing at the lodge | Turtle nesting, park tours, village life |
| Getting there | Small plane from San José | Small plane, or road and boat |
Prefer Tortuguero? See our Tortuguero fishing trip, or compare the whole coast on our Caribbean Costa Rica fishing guide.
Barra del Colorado questions
Good to know.
Tell us your dates and we’ll check what’s available.
Where is Barra del Colorado?
On Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast, inside the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, about 10 miles south of the Nicaraguan border, where the Río Colorado meets the sea.
How do you get to Barra del Colorado?
Most anglers take a short domestic flight of about 25 minutes from San José to the Barra del Colorado airstrip. There are no roads into the area.
How big are the tarpon at Barra del Colorado?
Tarpon of 100 lb and more are common, and much larger fish are hooked every season.
When is the best time to fish Barra del Colorado?
It is fished all year. February to mid-June and mid-August to November are usually the strongest months, but weather changes quickly on the Caribbean.
Can I fly fish for tarpon at Barra del Colorado?
Yes, fly fishing is possible for experienced anglers. Let us know in advance so we can arrange the right guide and tackle.
How much does a Barra del Colorado fishing trip cost?
It depends on your dates, number of fishing days and group size. Ask us for a quote.
Plan your trip
Fish Barra del Colorado.
Tell us your travel dates, number of anglers and fishing days, and whether you’d like to fly fish. We’ll send you a quote.
USA & Canada: 1-800-986-6980
Costa Rica / WhatsApp: +506 8888 4723