Dos Mas 31
Inshore half days and offshore full days with Captain Donald McGuinness.
Half day$1,600
Full day$1,800
Plus tax.
See Dos Mas 31
Fish Costa Rica · Golfito · Puerto Jiménez · Drake Bay
South Pacific
Costa Rica Fishing
Costa Rica’s wildest coast: jungle rivers, the calm Golfo Dulce and deep blue water close to shore. Compare the three fishing bases and find the right boat for your trip.
3 fishing basesGolfito, Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay
20–30 milesTypical run to offshore grounds
~45 min flightFrom San José to Golfito or Puerto Jiménez
Year-roundBillfish, tuna and roosterfish
Why the South Pacific
Less traffic.
More fish.
The South Pacific is Costa Rica’s most remote fishing region. The Golfo Dulce, one of the few tropical fjords in the world, gives calm inshore water for roosterfish, snapper and snook. Outside the gulf, the continental shelf drops away quickly, so marlin, sailfish and tuna are a short run from port.
With fewer boats than the Central or North Pacific, you’ll often have the water to yourself, with Corcovado National Park and the Osa Peninsula as your backdrop.
Choose your base
Golfito, Puerto Jiménez
or Drake Bay?
All three fish the same rich waters. The difference is where you stay and how you get there. Each has its own page with boats, prices and local details.
Golfo Dulce · East shoreGolfitoThe region’s sportfishing hub, with marinas, most of the boats and easy access to offshore grounds and FADs.Golfito fishing charters →
Osa Peninsula · West shorePuerto JiménezA small, laid-back town on the Osa side, close to Cabo Matapalo’s trophy roosterfish and Corcovado.Puerto Jiménez charters →
Osa Peninsula · Pacific sideDrake BayThe most remote base, facing the open Pacific near Caño Island. Wild, quiet and close to bluewater.Drake Bay fishing →
| Golfito | Puerto Jiménez | Drake Bay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Offshore, FADs, multi-day trips | Inshore roosterfish, mixed days | Remote eco-lodges plus bluewater |
| Getting there | Short flight or long drive | Short flight or long drive | Flight, or boat transfer from Sierpe |
| Feel | Working port town | Small jungle town | Off-grid village |
South Pacific boats
Boats that fish
the South Pacific.
From a fast 31 ft sportfisher to a 60 ft overnight boat. Every boat page has the full specs and current rates.
Cazador
A Golfito-based sportfisher for offshore marlin, sailfish and tuna days.
Full dayQuote
Multi-dayQuote
Ask for current rates.
See CazadorThumper 60
Air-conditioned cabin, galley and sleeping quarters for full-day and multi-day offshore trips.
Full day$3,800
Multi-dayQuote
2-day minimum.
See Thumper 60Want to fish with a legend? Meet Master Captain Bobby McGuinness, or compare all Costa Rica fishing charters.
What you can catch
Fish and seasons
in the South Pacific.
| Species | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Blue & black marlin | Offshore and FADs | All year; peaks vary by port |
| Sailfish | Offshore | All year; peaks vary by port |
| Yellowfin tuna | Offshore, often with dolphins | All year |
| Dorado (mahi mahi) | Offshore, debris and weed lines | Best in the green season, about May–October |
| Wahoo | Offshore, while trolling | All year |
| Roosterfish | Inshore; Cabo Matapalo and the Osa coast | All year |
| Cubera snapper | Rocky reefs and structure | All year |
| Snook | River mouths in the Golfo Dulce | Ask about the best months |
For month-by-month peaks, check the Costa Rica fishing calendar.
Ways to fish
Day trips, FADs
and overnight runs.
Golfo Dulce & the Osa coast
Calm water, half or full days, for roosterfish, snapper, jacks and snook. Great for families.
Bluewater day trips
Marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado, usually 20–30 miles out. A full day gives the most fishing time.
Multi-day expeditions
Run far offshore to FADs (fish aggregating devices) and fish for marlin and big tuna, sleeping on board.
Getting there
Fly in, fish
the next morning.
- By air: about 45 minutes from San José to Golfito or Puerto Jiménez, and short flights to Drake Bay
- By road: about 6–7 hours from San José to the Golfito area
- Drake Bay by boat: transfer from Sierpe through the mangroves and along the coast
We can arrange lodging, transfers and charters together. See our Costa Rica fishing packages.
Local guides
Read more about
each area.
GuideGolfito fishing guideMarinas, lodges, seasons and travel tips.Read the guide →
GuidePuerto Jiménez & Golfo Dulce guideWhere to stay and what to fish on the Osa side.Read the guide →
GuideDrake Bay & Osa guideLodges, Caño Island and remote bluewater.Read the guide →
Fishing elsewhere too? See all Costa Rica fishing destinations.
South Pacific questions
Plan your trip
with confidence.
Not sure which base suits you? Tell us your dates and target fish.
Which is better: Golfito, Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay?
Golfito has the most boats and is best for offshore and FAD trips. Puerto Jiménez is great for inshore roosterfish and mixed days. Drake Bay suits travelers who want a remote eco-lodge with bluewater close by.
How far offshore do South Pacific boats go?
Day trips usually fish about 20–30 miles out. FAD and overnight trips go much farther.
When is the best time to fish the South Pacific?
You can fish here all year. Tuna, roosterfish and snapper are caught year-round, dorado is best in the green season, and billfish peaks vary by port. Check the Costa Rica fishing calendar for month-by-month details.
How do I get to the South Pacific?
Most visitors take a short domestic flight from San José (about 45 minutes) to Golfito or Puerto Jiménez. Driving to the Golfito area takes about 6–7 hours. Drake Bay is reached by flight or by boat from Sierpe.
What is FAD fishing?
FADs are fish aggregating devices anchored far offshore that attract bait, tuna and marlin. FAD trips are usually multi-day runs on larger boats.
Can you arrange lodging and transfers too?
Yes. We can plan the boat, lodging and transfers together as a package.
Plan your South Pacific trip
Tell us your dates.
We’ll match the base and boat.
Send your travel dates, number of anglers, target fish and whether you’d like day trips, a FAD run or a full package.
USA & Canada: 1-800-986-6980
Costa Rica / WhatsApp: +506 8888 4723