DAY 1
Welcome to Costa Rica! When you land at San Jose airport in 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 the smaller domestic flights, you can go by land and finish the journey by boat through the rivers, 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).
Including: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
DAY 3
World-Class Tarpon Fishing! 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.
Including: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
DAY 4
Tarpon heaven! 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.
Including: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
DAY 5
Let’s explore the Pacific side of Costa Rica! 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.
Including: Breakfast
DAY 6
Roosterfish! 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.
Including: Breakfast, and lunch on the boat.
DAY 7
Billfish Offshore. 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.
Including: Breakfast, and lunch on the boat.
DAY 8
Inshore & Hunting Giant Grouper. 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.
Including: Breakfast, and lunch on the boat.
DAY 9
Offshore Finale for the big Billfish! 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.)
Including: Breakfast, and lunch on the boat.
DAY 10
Heading Home. 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!
Including: Breakfast