Billfish, tuna & dorado
30–45 minutes to blue water. Full days give you the best shot at sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi.
Fish Costa Rica · Central Pacific planning guide
Herradura or Playa Hermosa?
Two beaches 10 km apart, one fishing fleet. Compare where to stay for your Central Pacific fishing trip: the marina resort at Herradura or the laid-back surf town of Playa Hermosa.
10 km apartJacó sits in between
Same marinaBoats leave from Los Sueños
30–45 minutesBy boat to blue water
All yearOffshore and inshore
Where they are
Same coast, different feel.
Most charters for both beaches leave from Los Sueños Marina in Herradura. From Playa Hermosa it’s about a 10 km drive.
Side by side
Which base suits you?
| Playa Herradura | Playa Hermosa | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Marina resort, polished and convenient | Quiet surf town, less developed |
| The beach | Sheltered bay with calmer water | Long black-sand surf beach, a World Surf Reserve |
| To the marina | Walk or a few minutes’ drive | About 10 km by road |
| Where you stay | Los Sueños Marriott, resort villas & condos | Small hotels, surf lodges and beach houses |
| Best for | Offshore days, groups, families wanting easy logistics | Surfers, couples and anglers who like a quieter base |
| Non-anglers | Pool, golf and marina restaurants | Surfing, beach walks and Jacó nearby |
Stay in Herradura if…
- You want to walk to your boat
- You’re planning several offshore days
- You’re travelling with a group or family
- You like resort comfort after fishing
Stay in Playa Hermosa if…
- Someone in your group surfs
- You prefer a quiet, local beach town
- You don’t mind a short drive to the marina
- You want to mix fishing with a laid-back beach trip
The fishing
Wherever you stay,
you fish the same water.
Roosterfish & snapper
Rocky points, reefs, river mouths and beaches. Roosterfish are here all year, with cubera snapper, jacks and mackerel.
Dry vs green
December–April: calmer seas and the main sailfish season. May–November: warmer water, marlin and tuna, and fewer crowds.
Month-by-month details: Los Sueños fishing guide · fishing calendar.
Pick your trip
Half day or full day?
- Half day: inshore fishing or trolling close to shore. Great for families and beginners.
- Full day: the trip for billfish, tuna and mahi-mahi offshore.
- Overnight & FAD trips: for serious anglers chasing more marlin. About FAD fishing.
Not sure which boat? Read pangas vs sportfishers in Los Sueños.
Before you go
A Costa Rica fishing license is required (how to get one). Billfish and roosterfish are released.
Herradura vs Hermosa questions
Quick answers.
Tell us where you’re staying and we’ll plan the pickup.
How far is Playa Hermosa from Playa Herradura?
About 10 km. Jacó sits between them: Herradura is about 5 minutes north of Jacó, and Playa Hermosa about 5 km south.
Where do fishing charters leave from if I stay in Playa Hermosa?
Most leave from Los Sueños Marina in Herradura, a short drive from Playa Hermosa.
Is the fishing different at Herradura and Playa Hermosa?
No. Both use the same fishing grounds, about 30 to 45 minutes to blue water, with the same inshore spots along the coast.
Which is better for families?
Herradura, for most families: the sheltered bay, resort pools and a short walk to the boat make the day easy.
Is this the Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste?
No. This guide covers Playa Hermosa on the Central Pacific, just south of Jacó. There is another Playa Hermosa near Playas del Coco in Guanacaste.
Plan your trip
Herradura, Hermosa or Jacó,
we’ll get you fishing.
Tell us where you’re staying, your dates, number of anglers and what you’d like to catch.
USA & Canada: 1-800-986-6980
Costa Rica / WhatsApp: +506 8888 4723