Costa Rica Fishing
Costa Rica fishing vacations keep attracting ever-increasing numbers of sport fish enthusiasts from all over the world. Since the country is highly dedicated to eco-tourism, the fishing trips are well regulated and the risk for overfishing and pollution is considered low. During a Costa Rica fishing vacation, you can still enjoy pristine beaches, secluded jungle rivers, and rough, untamed coastlines.
Large parts of Costa Rica have been set aside as wildlife reserves and the nation is home to more than 5 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. This is very impressive if you consider that the land only makes up about 0.1 percent of the Earth’s landmass. This biodiversity includes many different groups of organisms, including mammals, plants, reptiles, insects – and fish!
Costa Rica Fishing Trips for all Adventures
You can not only expect to encounter a wide range of different fish species during your Costa Rica fishing trip, the specimens are also typically large and healthy and exists in an abundance if you arrive during the right season. Ask your Costa Rica fishing guide for more detailed information about the recommended fishing seasons for the various Costa Rican species. The recommended season will be greatly affected by which part of Costa Rica you plan to visit, and great fishing trips can be arranged year-round if you are willing to travel to the right parts of the country.
Costa Rica has been blessed with two coastlines; the country is nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean part of the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Costa Rica fishing trips are arranged to both coastlines, and since Costa Rica is a comparatively small country you can enjoy both oceans during one single Costa Rica fishing trip. The Pacific side of the nation comprises over 630 miles (1000 kilometers) of coastline, while the Caribbean side is significantly shorter – slightly above 130 miles (200 kilometers) in length.
The Costa Rican coastal regions are home to a wide range of fish species that appreciate the brackish environments created by the many freshwater rivers which empty into the sea. Many species are migratory and can live in high salinity as well as venture upstream into freshwater. Costa Rica is also famous for offering some of the world’s most excellent deep-sea fishing. If you want to engage in deep-sea fishing, it is important to choose a Costa Rica fishing trip arranger that has large enough boats since the sea can be quite ruthless at times. This is true for the Pacific Ocean as well as for the Caribbean Sea. Always ask the trip arrangers about their fleet before you make any arrangements. You should also decide whether you prefer a live-aboard boat or rather wish to spend time in a seaside hotel. Examples of fish frequently caught during Costa Rica ocean fishing are Marlin, Snook, Grouper, Sailfish, Rainbow runners, Giant yellowfin tuna, Roosterfish, Snapper, Cuberas, and Wahoo.
In addition to great ocean fishing, your Costa Rica fishing trip should definitely include some freshwater fishing in some of the many rivers, canals, and lakes that Costa Rica has to offer the sportfishing enthusiast. You can for instance take a trip to Lake Arenal, the largest lake in the country. Lake Arenal used to be much smaller, but has today been increased to three times its original size in order to produce more electricity. This artificial lake is home to a wide range of different fish species, including Guapote/Rainbow bass, and has a total surface area exceeding 33 square miles (85 square kilometers). Different types of snook and the popular Tarpon are caught in the jungle rivers that empty into the Caribbean Sea in the east.