Costa Rica Cross Country Fishing

Destinations: San Jose, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio

Duration: 10 days

*Price Range: $$$

*Rates inclusive of full vacation experience – hotels, tours, domestic transfers, and tax (excluding international airfare).  Actual price based on length of travel, number of travelers/rooms, seasonal rates (high, low, peak), number of tour activities, and mode of domestic transportation.

$$$: At or under $1,200 per person.

$$$: $1,200 – $1,800 per person.

$$$: $1,800+ per person

1. Day 1

   Fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) where one of our local airport representatives will meet you before immigration holding a sign with your name on it.  They will guide you through an expedited immigration process and to baggage claim.  Outside the airport you’ll find your private transfer that will be waiting to help you with your luggage.  You’ll spend your first night at the gorgeous Grano de Oro Hotel in downtown San Jose. This Victorian-mansion is home to authentic, upscale accommodations and arguably the best restaurant in the city.  Have dinner this evening at Grano de Oro and then enjoy their rooftop jacuzzis with a glass of wine or cold beverage.

2. Day 2

   Wake up early and get ready to fly to the Caribbean Coast because you’re fishing today! After a quick 30-minute flight you’ll arrive in Tortuguero on the northeast Caribbean Coast.  Known primarily for it’s amazing biodiversity and being one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites on the planet, it’s also home to incredible tarpon fishing.  You’ll be met at the airstrip by your hotel, the Aninga Lodge, and they’ll take you for a five minute boat ride to their secluded property.  Hidden off the main canal, the Aninga Lodge offers eco-luxury accommodations in one of the most remote and untouched regions of Costa Rica. After checking into the hotel you’ll have a chance to grab a quick bite to eat, use the bathroom, and change then you’ll head back to the main dock to board your private fishing boat for a day of exciting tarpon fishing.  Our local expert guides boast 25+ years of experience fishing these waters and are native English speakers so they’re sure to show you a good time and put you on the fish. These waters are home to triple-digit-sized tarpon and world record sized snook so be ready to battle with monsters!

3. Day 3

   Enjoy a buffet breakfast and then head down to the dock because the mighty tarpon are waiting for you.  Enjoy another full day of fishing for tarpon, or if you want to try and catch dinner you can target snook, snapper, kingfish, jacks, and mackerel.

4. Day 4

   You’ll depart Tortuguero by boat at 9:00 AM and speed through the freshwater canals of the Tortuguero National Park in a covered boat for 1.5 hours before you reach land. Our driver will meet you and take you across the country in a private, air conditioned transfer to the busy town of La Fortuna, home to the towering Arenal Volcano.  You’ll spend your next three nights at the boutique El Silencio del Campo.  Featuring just 19 individual cabanas, stunning views of the volcano, and it’s own set of thermal hot springs (exclusive to hotel guests only), a stay at El Silencio del Campo is a great way to experience one of the true highlights of Costa Rica.

5. Day 5

   Take a break from fishing and see what else Costa Rica has to offer! Nicknamed the ‘adventure sports capital of Costa Rica’, while in Arenal you can raise your adrenaline by going canopy zip-lining, waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, cave spelunking, and waterfall cliff jumping.  If nature and wildlife are more your style you can enjoy a hike to the gorgeous La Fortuna Waterfall, a river safari float trip, or the iconic hanging bridges.

6. Day 6

   Get back on the water for more fishing – this time the fresh water Lake Arenal!  Head out for a day of freshwater fishing with our local expert guide who is both a naturalist guide and one of the best captains on the lake.  Cast poppers, crankbaits, buzzbaits, and spin baits for big machaca, tilapia, and the grand prize on the lake – the rainbow bass.  This hard-fighting fish is as beautiful as it is delicious, but the big ones are hard to trick and harder to land.

7. Day 7

   Head down to the Pacific Coast so you can end your vacation relaxing on the beach.  Manuel Antonio is home to the country’s most visited national park, gorgeous beaches, great local restaurants, and the new Marina Pez Vela.  You’ll spend your last three nights at the adult-only, 28-room La Mansion Inn.  Featuring panoramic ocean views from all rooms and an incredible rooftop pool and swim-up bar, you’ll end your Costa Rica vacation on a high note.

8. Day 8

   Enjoy a leisurely hike through the Manuel Antonio National Park with your bilingual naturalist guide.  Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, three types of monkeys, reptiles, insects and hundreds of birds.  An early morning tour will allow you to see the wildlife when they’re more active and leave the rest of the day to enjoy swimming the white sand beaches inside the park.

9. Day 9

   Come see why Quepos is the ‘sport fishing capital of Costa Rica’ and home to the Offshore World Championship since 2013. Head offshore on your private sport fishing boat for a day of intense deep sea fishing for pelagic species like marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna.  If big game fishing doesn’t interest you, your trip can be customized to spend the day bottom fishing for dinner or inshore fishing for prizes like roosterfish, snapper, and snook.

10. Day 10

    Take a quick 25-minute domestic flight back to San Jose for your international flight home.