Fishing trips from the Santa Teresa area mostly leave from the small harbor at Mal País or from Montezuma. Inshore trips stay within a few miles of the coast for roosterfish, snapper and jacks, while offshore trips head out for sailfish, marlin, mahi mahi and tuna. Marlin and sailfish are catch-and-release, and every angler on the boat needs a Costa Rican fishing license.
The short answer
You can book a sport fishing trip right from Santa Teresa. Local boats work from the little fishing harbor at the southern end of Mal País, and more operators run trips from Montezuma on the gulf side of the peninsula. Most trips are private charters for a small group, with the rods, tackle and bait supplied.
The big choice is inshore or offshore. Inshore is shorter, closer to land and good for mixed groups. Offshore is a longer day in open water chasing bigger fish like sailfish and marlin.
Inshore vs offshore
| Inshore | Offshore | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Within a few miles of the coast | Well out to sea |
| Typical length | A few hours | Most of a day |
| Sea conditions | Usually calmer | Bigger swells, more time on the water |
| Typical fish | Roosterfish, snapper, grouper, jacks, mackerel | Sailfish, marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, wahoo |
| Best for | Families, first-timers, people who get seasick | Keen anglers after a trophy fish |
Jason Tours, a local outfit in Mal País, gives a useful sense of scale: its inshore trips fish up to about 7 miles from shore on a 25-foot boat, and its offshore trips go beyond about 12 miles on a 30-foot boat.
What you might catch
Species vary with the season, the weather and luck, so treat this as a guide rather than a promise. These are the fish local operators list:
- Inshore: roosterfish, red snapper, grouper, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and sometimes dorado (mahi mahi), yellowfin tuna and wahoo when they come closer in.
- Offshore: sailfish, marlin, mahi mahi, yellowfin tuna and wahoo.
Roosterfish, with their tall, comb-like dorsal fin, are the classic inshore prize on this coast. Sailfish are the headline offshore fish.
Catch-and-release for billfish
Costa Rica treats its billfish, the marlins and sailfish, as catch-and-release. According to INCOPESCA, the national fisheries institute, these fish are released in the water, and captains are trained so you can photograph the fish beside the boat before it swims away. Other species can usually be kept, and some crews will clean and fillet your catch. Ask your captain what you can keep and what's going back.
If you're staying somewhere with a kitchen, or you know a restaurant that will cook your fish, ask about that before you head out.
Fishing licenses
INCOPESCA says every angler fishing from a boat must carry a current sport fishing license. You can buy one online through the INCOPESCA website (there's an English application form) or at one of its regional offices. Many charter companies help with this or include it, but don't assume: ask when you book whether licenses are arranged for you.
Jason Tours says its anglers are licensed and its boats are registered, with safety equipment on board.
Local operators
Jason Tours is a Mal País fishing and boat-tour company. It runs inshore trips in a few lengths and full-day offshore trips, and also offers snorkeling, Tortuga Island and whale-watching boat tours. Book through its website or by contacting the team directly.
Pacific Dirt Road Adventures, best known for ATV rentals at Playa Carmen, also lists fishing trips with gear and bait included, sold by the hour.
Zuma Tours in Montezuma books inshore and offshore trips leaving from Mal País, Santa Teresa, Tambor and Montezuma.
Your hotel or a tour desk can also put you in touch with local captains at the Mal País harbor.
When to go
Fish move with water temperature and food, and seasons shift from year to year, so ask your captain what's biting when you plan to visit rather than relying on fixed calendars. What's easy to predict is the weather. The dry season, about December to April, usually brings calmer mornings and more reliable trips. In the rainy season, about May to November and wettest around September and October, trips still run but some days get called off for weather. Early starts are normal year-round, since the sea is often calmer in the morning.
Tips for a good day
- Book ahead in high season. There aren't many boats, and the best ones fill up from December to April.
- Confirm what's included: license, drinks, snacks, lunch, cleaning your catch, hotel pickup.
- Confirm where you leave from. Mal País, Montezuma and Tambor are quite far apart by road.
- Take seasickness tablets before you board if you're prone to it, especially for offshore trips.
- Bring sun protection: a hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Watch for wildlife. Dolphins, turtles and, in season, whales are often seen from boats along this coast.
Frequently asked questions
Where do fishing trips leave from?
Mostly from the small fishing harbor at the southern end of Mal País, or from Montezuma and Tambor on the gulf side. Confirm the meeting point when you book.
Can I keep the fish?
Not marlin or sailfish: Costa Rica's billfish are catch-and-release. Many other species can be kept, and some crews clean and fillet them for you. Ask your captain.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. INCOPESCA requires every angler fishing from a boat to carry a current sport fishing license. Ask your operator whether they arrange it.
Is inshore fishing good for kids?
Usually, yes. Inshore trips are shorter and closer to land, with calmer water than offshore trips.
Can fishing be combined with other boat trips?
Some operators, including Jason Tours, also run snorkeling and Tortuga Island trips. See our snorkeling guide and activities guide.
The places in this guide
Mal País
Mal País, Mal País, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica
Mal País is the southern stretch of coast below Playa Carmen, running toward the fishing harbor and Cabo Blanco reserve. It's rockier and quieter…
Isla Tortuga
Montezuma and Cabuya, Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica
Isla Tortuga is a pair of small, forested islands in the Gulf of Nicoya with a white-sand beach and calm, clear water. From Santa Teresa, most people…
