Costa Rica Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna & More Trip #134

There are a few (actually very few) destination in the world that are consistently considered to be among the premiere TOP 10 salt water fishing destinations in the world. This particular Lodge and its location is one of that very elite and select group!

Costa Rica has been renowned for many years for its incredible bill fishing- with anglers often sighting dozens of billfish daily, and hooking a dozen or more fish to boot! The storied days will force a strong man to his knees with fighting 8, 10, or 12 huge fish!

Not every day is like that of course, but neither is it uncommon. Knowing that, please also realize that besides numbers of big billfish, they also have a huge variety of species to tackle. Sailfish abound, but so too do blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna to 200 or 300 pounds, powerful and exotic roosterfish to 50 pounds+; giant cubera snapper, and a host of others like barracuda, shark, snook, mackerel – the list is long indeed! They even offer kayak fishing. Add on a 4- to 5-star resort with all the amenities, incredible eco-tours, a 5,000 square foot spa, and facilities to handle a large corporate group of up to 80 persons for those of our clients who wish to combine business with pleasure or wish to award incentives to favorite employees – and oh boy will this place boost morale! We can arrange it for you.

FEBRUARY 2022: Alicia R says: “I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for arranging the last 2 fishing trips. World class resort and top notch guides. None of this would have been possible without the experts from Hunt Nation!! You’re the best.”

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS DIFFERENT PRICING FOR WINTER AND SUMMER SEASONS, SO BE AWARE OF THAT. May to October each year is considered their “green season”, when daily but sometimes brief rains can be expected daily after 3:00 PM (it is a rainforest, after all), whereas the weather in January thru April tends to be the most favorable.

Offshore Costa Rica Fishing

MARLIN: The Blue Marlin is the most common of their Marlin and cruise their waters all year. They peak in November and December as well as in March and April. Black Marlin are most abundant in July and August and a few Striped Marlin are around at the same time.

SAILFISH: Again year round when a half dozen of these fish are common any day of the year. From November to May the numbers increase and days of 12 fish or more are common.

DORADO: Catch them any day of the year, common January through May and very abundant November and December.

TUNA: Yellowfin is the main species. The big boys, those 100 to 300 pounders can test your back any day of the year if you are lucky enough to come across a school of porpoises offshore. The big Tuna swim with them and they feed on the same baitfish. The smaller football size tuna hang around floating debris. Peak time for schools is July and August and November and December. As the smaller tuna are a favorite food of giant marlin, it is no wonder the Marlin peak at the same time.

WAHOO: Wahoo can surprise you any day of the year but are not common in this area.

Inshore Fishing

ROOSTERFISH: The inshore species most sought after is the Roosterfish. Twenty-five to fifty pound fish are very common and they normally will catch a couple over 50 pounds each week. The Resort record for this fish 106 lbs. They make awesome replica mounts!!

SNAPPER: They have a dozen different kinds of snapper with the cubera being top dog. They average about 15 to 20 lbs with the biggest to date here 63 lbs. Other bottom fish is the Broomtail Grouper as well as other groupers including the giant Goliath Grouper.

OTHER SPECIES: Inshore species include but are not limited to Barracuda, several types of Jacks, Snook, Bonito, Mackerel, African Pompano, Bluefin Trevally, Rainbow Runners and more!

ACCOMMODATIONS: This handsome resort has major new buildings for 2023 and is situated on 44 acres of lush tropical gardens and it has 40 air-conditioned rooms. It is located in Puerto Jimenez on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast (Osa Peninsula). This luxury fishing resort’s pricing includes your meals – a top of the line all-inclusive daily menu. They will even cook your catch of the day! Also included are a huge private swimming pool, hot tub, a 5,000 sq. foot luxury spa, and a conference center that accommodates up to 80 people. They have their own private fleet of 40 inshore and offshore boats docked at their own 800 foot private pier! Your rooms feature hand-carved furniture and private bathrooms (some have Jacuzzi baths.) They also offer their own daily tours and discovery trips. Their eco-tour department is fully staffed and professionally run and we can help you to arrange rainforest canopy tours, horseback forest and shore trips, visits to animal sanctuaries, orchid gardens, surfing lessons, kayaking, rainforest treks, bird watching, dolphin and whale watching, and visits to some of Costa Rica’s most secluded ocean beaches. If you have interest in any of the eco-tours, please contact us for pricing and details.

NEW: Their brand new luxury resort accommodations are now open!! Here are the options as of Sept 2022:

Standard studio 2 queen bed (below). Just like a hotel room. No balcony or kitchen. Fine for 2 anglers and is the least expensive. There are also a few 1 king bed rooms like this for couples.

A 1 bedroom suite (below) has bedroom area like studio but 1 king bed, & living room, kitchen, fold out sleeper couch, and a balcony. More costly. Can be combined with 2 queen bed studio “lockoff” to house a family or 3 guys fishing.

There are common areas for group get-togethers, reunions, corporate events in the 1,800 sq. foot conference center. There is a poolside bar and you can see an upstairs to it that has tables and looks into the forest. AND on top of the accommodations building there – a rooftop observation deck! See picture below.

THE FLEET: Their private fleet of 40 boats is the largest private fleet in Costa Rica! All boats are easily accessed from their 800 foot pier, and the fleet includes 17’ flats boats, 24’ center consoles, 27’ offshore center consoles; 33’ strike tower boats, plus the OWNERS OWN 35′ strike tower boat .

2023 PACKAGES:
Accommodations and fishing charters can be arranged separately, or a la carte, but fishing packages are very popular and simple. Packages include your lodging, fishing boat with lunch cooler and beer, fuel, fishing gear, guide, fishing licenses, all meals, and wine with dinner. There is a $395 per person transfer fee, which pays for ground transport, air transport from San Jose to the resort, and your inbound first night lodging at the Doubletree Hilton Cariari or Hotel Balmoral in San Jose, (airport SJO) (double occupancy). You also have a boat choice: either the standard 24’ Boston Whaler or a 33’ deluxe tower STRIKE “big boat” (also kayaks available). The standard boat is a 24’ Boston Whaler Outrage, always a great performing boat. Here is what they look like:

FISHING PACKAGES:

Please note that these prices can change. Call us and we will help you customize your vacation package and get you a solid quote.

Experience some of the world’s best inshore and offshore fishing on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. You can enjoy offshore fishing for blue, black and striped marlin, sailfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna. Or choose to fish Inshore. Inshore fishing offers an amazing variety including the much sought after roosterfish (some giants here!). Fish inshore for 12 kinds of snapper (huge cubera being the most popular) as well as African pompano, grouper, bluefin trevally, bonito, mackerel, rainbow runners and others. Your choice of inshore or offshore, conventional tackle or on the fly, it’s up to you. All rates are per person, double occupancy.

December 1 to April 30 is considered “peak” season and rates will be higher. This is peak billfishing time. Off peak is from May 1 to November 30. That is the bargain season; the billfishing is less reliable, but can still be had.

HOW TO COMPUTE PRICING: This is for basic planning. We will always give you a firm quote!

ADD THESE ELEMENTS TOGETHER TO COMPUTE PRICE: (does not include your airfares to Costa Rica)

• Transfer Package: $495 per person, plus tax
• Studio Rooms (assumes double occupancy): $243-$380/night (1-bedroom suites are addl. Cost). ALL RATES PLUS TAXES AND RESORT FEES)
• Boats: Standard 24’ Boston Whaler Outrage: $1,495/day (3 anglers max), or 33’ STRIKE Tower Boat: $1,995/day (4-5 anglers max), plus tax
• Eco-tours (prices vary)

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive San Jose Airport (SJO), stay at Doubletree Hilton. Day 2 – Early transfer to lodge via charter plane. Days 3, 4, 5 – fishing. Day 6 – Depart back to SJO.

INCLUDED (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
• Lodging 1 night in San Jose
• Ground and air transfers to/from San Jose and lodge
• Free WiFi
• Round trip ground transportation from Puerto Jimenez landing strip to resort

NOT INCLUDED:
• International airfare
• Sportfishing charters
• Mandatory health insurance for entry to Costa Rica (see entry info below)
• Taxes and extras
• Meals, beverages and alcohol at the resort or in San Jose
• Domestic airline overweight, seat, and baggage fees
• Change fees
• Gratuities
• Activities/Eco Tours

The transfer fee package includes your inbound night stay at The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari, San Jose (double occupancy), round trip ground transfers between airports and hotels, and scheduled round trip domestic air transportation between San Jose and the resort. This local flight is breathtaking in its beauty!

Travel/trip insurance through Hunt Nation is not required but is strongly recommended for your protection in case of emergency or other losses. Please ask for information and rates.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS INTO COSTA RICA
Passports that are valid for at least a full 6 months after your arrival are now required to enter Costa Rica.

NON-FISHING ACTIVITIES (Eco-Tours)

Cultural and Conservation Tours
1 Sea Turtle Rescue Tour
2 Finca Raíces de Osa
3 Gold Panning Adventure Tours

Nature Walks
4 The Osa Rainforest
5 The Monkey Tour
6 Corcovado National Park
7 Reptile and Amphibian Tour
8 Introduction to Bird Watching
9 2½ Days Bird Watching – In Depth

Aquatic Tours
10 Jungle Night Walk
11 Mangrove Kayak Short Trips
12 Sunset Ocean Kayak
13 Snorkeling in the Golfo Dulce
14 Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden
15 Golfo Dulce Boat Excursion
16 Osa Wildlife Sanctuary
17 Miramar Canopy Zip Line
18 Miramar Canopy Zip Line at Night
19 Osa Palmas Zip Line
20 Surfing Pavones Beach by Boat
21 Surfing Matapalo Beach
22 Cross Country Biking
23 Puerto Jimenez Area Biking
24 Waterfall Climbing & Rappelling
25 Horseback Riding
26 Playa Preciosa (Precious beach)
27 Visit the Crocodile and Caiman Lagoon