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Fishing Lodges in Costa Rica


Trent Jonas, Leaf Group Tarpon in excess of 100 pounds are frequently caught in Costa Rica. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images )


Costa Rica is bordered on one coast by the Caribbean Sea and the other by the Pacific Ocean, and riddled with freshwater rivers, lake and streams in between. The diversity of fisheries in this small Central American country is considerably greater than that of any much larger nations. From cutthroat trout in high mountain streams to inland tarpon and offshore Pacific blue marlin, angling opportunities abound here. Capitalizing on this richness of fishes, lodges that specialize in accommodating and guiding fishermen to their quarry have appeared throughout Costa Rica.

World Class

Likely the most internationally known of Costa Rica's fishing lodges is the Crocodile Bay Resort (crocodilebay.com) on the remote Osa Peninsula's Pacific Coast. With a fleet of 40 fishing boats and the experienced crews to operate them, fishermen who choose to stay at Crocodile Bay will be able to test their mettle against blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahimahi (dolphin) and roosterfish when they try their skills offshore. With a dock more than 800 feet long, the resort offers anglers a number of opportunities to target inshore species, as well. Notwithstanding the fishing, Crocodile Bay is a full service resort with pools, a spa, a bar and restaurant and an activities center that can arrange eco-tours into the rain forest of the Osa Peninsula or whale watching excursions on the Golfo Dulce.

Inshore Fishing on the Caribbean Coast

If you're a tarpon junkie, Archie Field's Rio Colorado Lodge (riocoloradolodge.com) is the place for you. The lodge is just south of the Nicaragua border where the Rio Colorado opens into the Caribbean Sea. The lodge's guides will take you by boat to all the sweet spots for monster tarpon and snook. From shore, try your hand at catching some of the local freshwater species, such as guapote, mojarra or machaca. The guides are knowledgeable about fly techniques for the area's tarpon, but fly fishing has not caught on in Costa Rica to the extent that it has elsewhere, so bring your own tackle if you choose to fly fish.

Freshwater Wonderland

Between the Arenal region and Costa Rica's northern border with Nicaragua, the Caño Negro Reserve features an ecosystem similar to that of the Florida Everglades. While the park is about as far from the sea as you can get in Costa Rica, species such as snook, drum and 100-kilogram tarpon are regularly caught by Caño Negro anglers. Huge alligator gar are also common in the area. Take advantage of the unique angling opportunities offered by this ecosystem with a stay at the Caño Negro Natural Lodge (canonegrolodge.com). While not strictly a fishing lodge, the property has guides, boats and tackle that can help you target the species of your choice. Keep your eyes open for caiman, various bird species or the occasional migratory bull shark, as well.

Lake Arenal Region

A man-made lake at the foot of the active Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal is a hot spot for guapote (rainbow bass) fishing in Costa Rica. A hard-fighting species similar to the black bass, the average guapote ranges from three to five pounds, but specimens as large as 13 pounds have been landed in Arenal. Take advantage of this prime fishery that also boasts tenacious machaca and the occasional tropical gar with a stay at the Lake Coter Eco-Lodge (ecolodgecostarica.com), which among many other activities, can arrange guided fishing trips on Lake Arenal.

Trout at 10 Degrees Latitude

While not a true fishing lodge, the Savegre Mountain Hotel (savegre.co.cr) is the best accommodation that is closest to the finest trout fishing in Costa Rica. The river runs across the property of the lodge, and the proprietor is a knowledgeable angler. Descendants of imported rainbow and cutthroat trout have thrived here at 7,200 feet of elevation, making the stream a rushing, icy haven for plump rainbows that average about four pounds.







Jonas, Trent. "Fishing Lodges in Costa Rica." Travel Tips - USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/fishing-lodges-costa-rica-40252.html. Accessed 19 December 2018.
Jonas, Trent. (n.d.). Fishing Lodges in Costa Rica. Travel Tips - USA Today. Retrieved from https://traveltips.usatoday.com/fishing-lodges-costa-rica-40252.html
Jonas, Trent. "Fishing Lodges in Costa Rica" accessed December 19, 2018. https://traveltips.usatoday.com/fishing-lodges-costa-rica-40252.html



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