Fishing Seasons

The Essential Costa Rica Fishing Calendar

This Costa Rica Fishing Calendar will give you an idea of what you can expect to catch in your upcoming fishing vacation in the country.

Costa Rica Fishing Calendar

Plan Your Trip Around the Best Fishing Seasons

Costa Rica is a fisherman’s paradise — a country where something is always biting. Thanks to its tropical climate, rich waters, and two magnificent coastlines, anglers can enjoy world-class fishing every month of the year.

This comprehensive Costa Rica Fishing Calendar will help you plan your trip around peak seasons, species availability, and local conditions. Whether you want to chase sailfish offshore, fight roosterfish inshore, or hook tarpon on the Caribbean coast, this guide explains when and where to go for the best results.

Why a Fishing Calendar Matters

While fishing in Costa Rica is good all year, each season offers unique opportunities. Water temperature, currents, rainfall, and bait migrations shift slightly month to month, affecting where certain fish congregate. Knowing the seasonal patterns helps you:

Choose the right charter and location (Jaco, Los Sueños, Quepos, Tamarindo, or Caribbean).
Target your dream species — marlin, sailfish, tuna, roosterfish, mahi-mahi, and more.
Balance weather and comfort — dry season vs. green season conditions.
Optimize your travel plans for both fishing and leisure.

Our team at Costa Rica Fishing Experts tracks the bite year-round and updates this calendar with real data from local captains.

Understanding Costa Rica’s Seasons

The Dry Season (December – April)

Known locally as “verano,” this period brings clear skies, calm seas, and ideal conditions on the Pacific coast. It’s the prime season for sailfish and marlin, with heavy offshore action around Los Sueños and Quepos. Great visibility and lighter winds also make this the most comfortable time for visitors.

The Green Season (May – November)

Also called the rainy season, it’s greener, quieter, and more affordable — but don’t be fooled: the fishing is often spectacular. Offshore, tuna and mahi-mahi dominate; inshore, roosterfish and snapper feed aggressively. Afternoon rains typically roll in after 3 p.m., so morning trips remain calm and productive.

Costa Rica Fishing by Month

Below is a detailed look at what to expect each month of the year.

January

Conditions: Peak dry season, light winds, calm seas, sunny skies.
Offshore: Sailfish arrive in massive numbers near Los Sueños and Quepos; blue and striped marlin mixed in. Dorado and yellowfin tuna present.
Inshore: Excellent roosterfish, jacks, and cubera snapper near Herradura and the Nicoya Gulf.
Hotspots: Los Sueños, Jaco, Quepos, and Tamarindo.
Tip: Book early — January is high season for both fishing and tourism.
CTA: Plan your January fishing trip with Costa Rica Fishing Experts today.

February

Conditions: Still dry, seas extremely calm, offshore visibility excellent.
Offshore: The famous sailfish bite peaks — some boats raise 10–20 sails in a day. Blue marlin remain active.
Inshore: Roosterfish and big red snapper thrive in the warm coastal waters.
Tip: Ideal month for first-timers and family charters — predictable weather and steady action.

March

Offshore: Combination of sailfish, dorado, and occasional marlin.
Inshore: Roosterfish, jack crevalle, and snapper bite strong around rocky reefs.
Regions: Central Pacific still dominant, though northern areas (Tamarindo, Flamingo) offer great calm-sea charters.
Note: Dry, sunny, and perfect for multi-day trips to seamounts (FAD fishing).

April

Transition month between dry and green seasons — water slightly warmer, occasional showers.
Offshore: Marlin become more common; sailfish remain strong. Tuna and dorado start to increase.
Inshore: Peak for roosterfish, snook, and cubera snapper near river mouths.
Best Areas: Los Sueños, Quepos, Osa Peninsula.

May

Green season begins, but morning conditions are still great.
Offshore: Blue and black marlin, mahi-mahi, and yellowfin tuna start to dominate.
Inshore: Excellent variety — roosterfish, snapper, jacks.
Bonus: Fewer tourists, better charter availability, and lower hotel rates.
Tip: Bring a light rain jacket; showers usually pass quickly.

June

Weather: Warm, tropical mornings; occasional rain in the afternoons.
Offshore: Tuna schools arrive in large numbers — look for spinner dolphins offshore.
Inshore: Snook move toward river mouths; roosterfish feeding heavily along beaches.
Destination Highlight: Quepos and Golfito for mixed offshore/inshore trips.
Local Tip: Early morning departures give you glassy seas and incredible sunrise views.

July

Conditions: Stable seas, scattered showers; excellent overall fishing.
Offshore: Marlin (especially blue) active offshore; tuna bite still strong.
Inshore: Roosterfish, cubera snapper, and mackerel dominate the bite near Jaco and Herradura.
Special Note: “Mini dry season” often occurs — less rain, great conditions.

August

Weather: Similar to July — warm, productive waters.
Offshore: Tuna, mahi-mahi, and marlin remain consistent.
Inshore: Roosterfish and snapper continue steady.
Why Go: Mid-season offers fewer crowds but still world-class fishing.

September

Rainiest month, but that doesn’t stop local anglers.
Offshore: Black marlin peak near the southern Pacific (Osa, Golfito).
Inshore: Snook and cubera snapper thrive near river mouths and estuaries.
Bonus: Dorado (mahi-mahi) arrive in huge schools offshore.
Tip: Afternoon storms — book early-morning charters.

October

Conditions: Similar to September; heavy rain but calm mornings.
Offshore: Dorado and marlin action continues, especially in southern waters.
Inshore: One of the best months for snook fishing; roosterfish still steady.
Travel Advantage: Off-season pricing and open availability.
Local Tip: Great month for photographers — lush scenery and fewer boats.

November

Transition month — rains begin to fade, seas calm again.
Offshore: Sailfish return, marking the start of the high season. Dorado and tuna are abundant.
Inshore: Excellent mix of species near Herradura and Quepos.
Ideal For: Anglers who prefer less crowded marinas but prime conditions.

December

Weather: Dry season begins; perfect blue skies and calm Pacific seas.
Offshore: The famous Los Sueños sailfish bite begins, along with marlin and dorado.
Inshore: Roosterfish and snapper bite returns strongly.
Holiday Season: Book early — charters fill fast.
CTA: Celebrate the holidays with a Costa Rica fishing adventure!

Costa Rica Fishing Calendar Summary Chart

( = good, = excellent)

Regional Fishing Seasons at a Glance

Central Pacific (Jaco, Los Sueños, Quepos)

Peak Season: December–April (sailfish, marlin)
Green Season: May–November (tuna, dorado, roosterfish)
Year-round: Roosterfish, snapper, jack crevalle

Northern Pacific (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo)

Peak: January–April (calm seas, great for marlin & dorado)
Rainier: May–October (good inshore action, fewer crowds)

Southern Pacific (Golfito, Osa Peninsula)

Best Months: May–October for black marlin, dorado, and tuna
Inshore: Snook, roosterfish, and cubera snapper all year

Caribbean Coast

Tarpon: September–November prime
Snook: Year-round, especially near Barra del Colorado and Parismina

Fishing Calendar FAQs

What’s the best month to fish in Costa Rica?

It depends on your goals. December–April for billfish and calm weather, May–September for tuna, dorado, and roosterfish, and September–November for snook and tarpon.

Is fishing good during the rainy season?

Yes — mornings are often calm and productive. Many locals prefer the green season for fewer boats and active fish.

Can I fish on both coasts during one trip?

Yes! The Pacific and Caribbean are only a 4–5-hour drive apart. Some travelers split their stay between Jaco (Pacific) and Tortuguero (Caribbean).

What’s the best location for year-round fishing?

The Central Pacific (Los Sueños, Jaco, Quepos) offers the most consistent bite and easiest access to both offshore and inshore species.

Tips for Planning Your Trip

Book early for high season (December–April) — charters fill fast.
Consider the green season for better prices and less traffic.
Choose your target species first, then match your travel dates to their peaks.
Check moon phases — full moons can affect bite times.
Combine fishing with tours — waterfalls, surfing, zip-lining, and massages for the perfect vacation.
Always use licensed captains and professional charters for safety and conservation compliance.

Why Book with Costa Rica Fishing Experts

Locally based team with real-time fishing updates from captains across the coast.
Access to top boats in Los Sueños, Jaco, Quepos, Tamarindo, and Golfito.
Transparent pricing, flexible packages, and bilingual crews.
We coordinate airport transfers, lodging, and private chef or massage services upon request.

Our goal is to make your trip smooth, exciting, and unforgettable — both on and off the water.

Ready to Plan Your Fishing Trip?

Don’t just dream it — fish it.
Check availability for your preferred dates, and we’ll match you with the ideal boat and crew.

Contact Costa Rica Fishing Experts today or visit our Jaco Fishing Charters and Los Sueños Fishing Charters pages to explore trip options.

Costa Rica Fishing Experts – Trusted Local Knowledge, World-Class Fishing
From sailfish season to summer tuna runs, every month is fishing season in Costa Rica — and we’ll help you make the most of it.

Fishing Vacations

One of the greatest appeals of Costa Rica is its year-round fishing potential. The Pacific Coast, especially around Jaco, Los Sueños, and Quepos, offers excellent offshore fishing nearly all year. Sailfish are abundant from December to April, while marlin can be found during most months. For inshore fishing, species like roosterfish and snapper are available consistently throughout the year.

Half day Fishing

Half-day fishing trips are better for inshore fishing since they will give you much time to go out as much as a full day, but this also depends on the season.

Full day Fishing Trip

A full day is excellent for offshore. It will give you enough time to go out for Tuna, Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, and Mahi-Mahi; it is a favorite for hardcore fishermen.

Fishing Packages

These are customizable packages that can accommodate any group, and it’s great for people who want the whole experience of Costa Rica Fishing at its best

Costa Rica Fishing Calendar, Fishing Seasons – Best Fishing Months

If you take the time to research your fishing options in Costa Rica, you will see that many packages sell sport fishing in Costa Rica. As a customer, how do you know which one to choose? Not only do we offer the absolute best rate, but due to our unique relationship with the legendary charter operators over the years, we proudly offer the best fishing trips with significant activities in areas including private transportation.

As Costa Rican charter boat operators, we know what is needed. Sometimes, you have to burn more fuel to get to where the fish are.

Our job is to take you where the fish are or closer to their home with the best crew. We have many large and small boats with great equipment, and they can move together to give you a lifetime fishing adventure.

At Costa Rica Fishing Experts, we give you great options. We can change our Costa Rican boats and country houses menu as needed. While the teams and owners will not change the operation’s quality, that makes the difference between a spectacular fishing experience and a boat trip with bad Chow.

Find The Best Fishing Season in Costa Rica For Your Trip

Costa Rica Deep Sea Fishing Calendar – Fishing Chart

January Tuna, Marlin, and Dorado Taper off, and Numbers of Sailfish an increase

February Primetime for Sailfish, Occasional Marlin, Tuna, or Dorado

March Primetime For Sailfish

April Sailfish numbers drop mid-month, and some Marlin begin to appear.

May
Slower for Billfish; typically, we start seeing schools of spinner dolphin with yellowfin tuna.

June
Slower for billfish, spinner dolphins with Yellowfin tuna,

July
Marlin begins to appear, a change to black Marlin and Blues and Tripped Marlin, a shift for tuna.

August
Marlin and Tuna

September
Slower for Billfish, a change for Tuna and Dorado

October
Dorado begins to appear in numbers, with Marlin close behind.

November
A mixed bag of Dorado Marlin and Some big Tuna.

December
Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, and Sailfish are all possibilities.

The Fish

Offshore Fish Species

Inshore Fish Species

Fishing Methods

There probably are as many Costa Rica fishing techniques and fish-catching tricks as there are anglers on the water, but the how-to aspect of sport fishing boils down to a few basic, tried-and-true fishing methods that have worked for as long as man has been trying to catch fish on a hook and line. If you master these basic methods, you’ll become a successful angler.

Beam trawl:

In this type of trawl, the mouth or opening of the net is kept open by a beam mounted at each end on guides or skids which travel along the seabed. The trawls are adapted and made more effective by attaching tickler chains (for sand or mud) or heavy chain matting (for rough, rocky ground), depending on the ground being fished. These drag along the seabed in front of the net, disturbing the fish in the path of the trawl, causing them to rise from the seabed into the oncoming net. Electrified ticklers, which are less damaging to the seabed, have been developed but used only experimentally. Work is also being carried out to investigate whether square mesh panels (see below) fitted in the ‘belly’ or lower panel of the net can reduce the impact of beam trawling on communities living on or in the seabed.

Still-fishing:

The simplest of Costa Rica fishing methods can also be the most effective. As its name implies, still-fishing is putting your bait in the water and waiting for a fish to find it. This method will catch most fish and can be used from a boat, a dock, a jetty, or a shore. Depending on the water depth and what you’re trying to catch, you may want to still fish near the surface, at a mid-water depth, or right down on the bottom. Using a float or bobber makes it easy to feel near the surface, or you can add sinkers to your line to fish deeper.

Demersal otter trawl:

The demersal or bottom trawl is a large, usually cone-shaped net towed across the seabed. In the forward part of the net, the wings are kept open laterally by otter boards or doors. Fish are herded between the boards and along the spreader wires or swept into the mouth of the trawl, where they swim until exhausted. They then drift back through the net funnel, along the extension or lengthening piece, and into the cod-end, where they are retained.

Casting:

The term casting has two meanings in fishing. It describes using a rod, reel, and line to carry your bait or lure into the water. It also is a specific fishing method, as opposed to still-fishing and other methods we will describe here.

Sometimes, a moving lure works best, especially for some fish species. At other times you may want to place a lure in a particular spot, such as right next to a submerged stump 30 feet from shore or under a tree leaning out over the water. These situations are when casting is the fishing method that offers the best chance of catching fish. It’s the kind of sports fishing where you cast and retrieve, usually with an artificial lure, to fish waters where fish might be lurking and to coax them into striking. Spinners, wobbling spoons, plugs, and spinnerbaits are lures commonly used for casting.

Trolling:

Many of the lures used in casting also work for trolling because it’s another fishing method that requires movement to be effective. Trolling is simply dragging a lure, bait, or bait-and-lure combination through the water using a boat rather than casting and retrieving to provide movement.

Jigging:

Some artificial lures function best if they’re worked through the water in an up-and-down motion, commonly called jigging. Lifting and dropping the rod tip is what provides the jigging motion. Deadheads are the most common kind of jig, but for some fish species, especially saltwater salmon and bottom fish, the jigging lure might be a long, thin slab of lead or other metal in the shape of a herring or other baitfish.

Fly Fishing:

Artificial flies are nothing more than fur, feathers, thread, tinsel, and other materials tied around a hook to resemble an insect, a grub, a minnow, or some other small morsel that a fish might eat. Because they are often tiny and always very light, they can’t be cast like a heavy lure. For that reason, they are usually fished with special lines, rods, and reels designed just for this kind of fishing.

Dive-caught:

Free diving, using a mask and snorkel, or scuba diving, is a traditional method of collecting lobster, abalone, seaweed, sponges, reef-dwelling fish, groupers, and snappers. In deeper waters, air pumped from the surface is used in helmet diving systems.

Gill Nets :

Are walls of netting set at or below the surface, on the seabed, or at any depth in between? Gill netting is probably the oldest form of net fishing, having been used for thousands of years. Accurate gill nets catch fish that attempt to swim through the net, which is seen if they are large enough to allow the head to pass through the meshes but not the rest of the body. The gills then entangle the fish as it attempts to back out of the net. The mesh size used depends upon the species and size range being targeted.

Conclusion:

Costa Rica offers year-round fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. From the Pacific coast’s thrilling sailfish and marlin seasons to the exhilarating roosterfish and snook fishing on the Caribbean coast, there’s never a shortage of angling adventures. By understanding the fishing seasons in Costa Rica and working with experienced local guides, you can optimize your chances of targeting specific fish species and create memories that will last a lifetime. Remember to adhere to fishing regulations and practice responsible fishing to preserve the natural beauty and sustainability of Costa Rica’s marine ecosystems for future generations.

Species	Jan–Apr	May–Aug	Sep–Dec	Notes
Sailfish				Peaks Dec–Apr
Blue Marlin				Year-round with two highs
Black Marlin				Strong May–Oct
Striped Marlin				Early dry season
Mahi-Mahi (Dorado)				Rainy months (Jun–Nov)
Yellowfin Tuna				Peak Jun–Aug
Roosterfish				Year-round, best Apr–Oct
Cubera Snapper				Year-round, more active rainy season
Snook				Peaks Aug–Nov (river mouths)
Tarpon (Caribbean)				Peaks Sep–Nov