Fishing in Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Guanacaste offers pristine beaches, great resorts, and world-class fishing, especially in the town of Tamarindo. Learn everything you need for your vacation here.
Catch a Fish or Two or Three in Costa Rica
There are many species you can target in Costa Rica.
Inshore fishing trips are focused around submerged rock formations, where you might catch roosterfish, grouper, snapper, or amberjack. Then there’s surface action too, where you’ll see jacks, mackerels, wahoo, tuna, dorado, and more. Black marlin and yellowfins are others you can find when inshore fishing in Tamarindo.
You’ll have plenty of time to head further out in search of billfish. You must practice catch and release for all billfish species and roosterfish. However, there are tons of other species you can take back with you like snapper, grouper, tuna, wahoo and dorado (mahi mahi). Cooking your catch is very popular here and most local restaurants in the area will prepare them for you.
What to Expect From Sportfishing in Tamarindo
Be ready for the sun and possibly wind. Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended. Lightweight but long pants and long-sleeved shirts are highly recommended. A rain jacket could be helpful. Tamarindo is in a bay that shelters you from the wind, a big plus compared to other nearby fishing spots. Expect a photo-worthy catch.
FAQ about Sportfishing in Tamarindo
- Does Tamarindo have good fishing? The continental shelf descends near the shore, so it’s a 40-minute boat ride to get to the best spot. As a result, thousands of anglers a year choose this area to visit.
- What kind of fish can you catch in Tamarindo? There’s so much variety. Tamarindo is home to many species, including amberjack, dorado, jack crevalle, mackerel, mahi mahi, rainbow runner, roosterfish, sailfish, snapper, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, blue marlin, and black marlin.
- What is the best time of year to fish in Tamarindo? The Tamarindo fishing season is 365 days a year. There are year-round populations of snapper and roosterfish. The average roosterfish caught weighs 40-50 pounds. The peak months for billfish are May through September. Then comes marlin, tuna, and dorado season, from September through November. That’s when you might come across a giant marlin. Once, a black marlin weighing 1,560 pounds was caught.