DAY 1
When you land at the airport in San José, Costa Rica’s capital, your driver will be waiting
outside to take you straight to your hotel. Enjoy a good night’s sleep after the flight so
you wake up rested and ready for the amazing fishing adventures ahead.
DAY 2
Have breakfast at your hotel in San José before heading to the domestic airport for your
prop plane flight to Tortuguero, a tiny island strip right in the Tortuguero River delta on
the Caribbean Sea. (If you don’t want to fly, you can go by land and finish the journey by
boat, but you’ll miss out on the first afternoon of fishing.)
Upon landing in Tortuguero, your captain will meet you and take you on a one-hour boat
ride north through the jungle rivers to your fishing lodge. This boat trip alone is magical,
and you’ll likely see plenty of wildlife along the way. You’ll arrive at the lodge just in
time for lunch, and then it’s straight back on the boat to catch your first tarpon.
Boat: 23–25 ft center console equipped with heavy-duty spinning tackle and jigs
designed for tarpon over 275 lb (125kg).
DAY 3
Early morning at the lodge, then after breakfast, you’ll hop aboard and run just a few
minutes down the river before reaching the ocean, where the true giants roam. There’s no
mistaking a tarpon strike, you’ll know the second it happens!
Since your lodge is so close to the river mouth, you can easily run in for lunch on land
before heading back out for another afternoon session battling tarpon.
Boat: 23–25 ft fully equipped center console.
DAY 4
Another full day on the water with your captain, whether in the ocean or the river
depending on where the bite is best. Just getting out through the river mouth is an
adventure—sometimes the surf is big, and you’ll see just how skilled these captains are at
maneuvering the boats. If the waves are too high, no problem—you’ll stay in the river,
which also holds plenty of tarpon, snook, and more.
Boat: 23–25 ft fully equipped center console.
DAY 5
After breakfast, your captain will take you in a boat back through the rivers to Tortuguero
airstrip, where you’ll catch your flight back to San José. From there, your driver will meet
you and drive you down to the Pacific coast and your next fishing lodge, one of the
country’s top spots for inshore action targeting roosterfish, grouper, snapper, and more.
Once you arrive, nothing beats a swim off the lodge’s private beach and an ice-cold beer
in a hammock.
DAY 6
Don’t be surprised if you wake up to the roar of howler monkeys—or even spot them
running across your cabin roof. After a hearty breakfast, it’s time for a full day of inshore
fishing for roosterfish, jacks, grouper, snapper, and more. Lunch is served on board, and
as the sun sets, you’ll head back to the lodge for a relaxing dinner and stories from the
day.
Boat: Fully equipped 25 ft center console.
DAY 7
Early start, because today we’re heading offshore to hunt for the giants—Blue, Black, and
Striped Marlin along with sailfish (all catch and release). Hook a dorado, wahoo, or
yellowfin tuna, and you might bring one back for dinner, but most are released to keep
this world-class fishery healthy.
Boat: Fully equipped 29 ft center console with tuna tower.
Optional upgrade to a 35 ft air-conditioned sportfisher for peak comfort and
performance.
DAY 8
Today we’ll stay inshore again, chasing roosterfish and more, but also trying our luck
with giant grouper if conditions permit. One of the best baits for these monsters is large
glow-in-the-dark jigs—so if you want to improve your odds, bring a couple from home.
Boat: Fully equipped 25 ft center console.
DAY 9
We wrap it up the best way possible—with another full offshore day chasing the true
monsters. Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin, sailfish, dorado (mahi mahi), wahoo, and
yellowfin tuna are all on the hit list.
Boat: Fully equipped 29 ft center console with tuna tower.
(Optional upgrade to a 35 ft air-conditioned sportfisher available.)
DAY 10
After days of epic fishing and unforgettable battles, it’s time to head back. Your driver
will take you to the airport for your flight home. Thank you, Costa Rica—until next time!
