Costa Rica, especially the north Pacific region where Hacienda Pinilla is located, is renowned for its exceptional sport fishing. Known for its billfish and other hard-fighting, record-breaking species, the area offers an unparalleled fishing experience and a bevy of Costa Rica fishing charters to delight.
Whether you opt for a half-day, three-quarter-day, or full-day trip, the Pacific Ocean becomes your playground. Get ready to cast your line and chase that trophy catch. When it’s time to take a break, enjoy an open bar and catered lunch. If you like, we’ll even anchor in a nearby bay for snorkeling, swimming, or just relaxing. Afterward, it’s back to the ocean to pursue Costa Rica’s famous fish once more. Because here, the ocean is yours… And so is Hacienda Pinilla, one of the most exclusive Costa Rica luxury estates.
Here’s everything you need to know about Costa Rica fishing charters off the shores of Hacienda Pinilla:
Sport Fishing Season at Hacienda Pinilla
Tamarindo offers year-round sport fishing opportunities, with resident and migratory species perpetually present for either mating and/or feeding. However, the late green season (September, October, and November) is an especially exciting time in our local Tamarindo/Playa Avellanas waters, due to several factors.
During this period, Costa Rica fishing charters chase large marlin, particularly blue and striped marlin, are drawn to the area by the abundance of phytoplankton and schooling fish. The rains and rivers stir up floating debris, creating a habitat for bonitos, mahi-mahi, and yellowfin tuna, which can reach weights of 125-150 pounds. (See our Species Guide, below.)
This season also provides excellent conditions for inshore fishing. Anglers can expect to catch small yellowfins (up to 25 lbs.), roosterfish, mackerels, jacks, and snappers. Additionally, black marlin are often found near inshore reefs during this time.
That said, if you’re not here during the green season months, not to worry; it’s always fishing season here at Hacienda Pinilla! Get in touch and we’ll fill you in on which species are likely to be biting during your visit.
What to Fish: Inshore & Offshore Species near Hacienda Pinilla
Inshore and offshore Costa Rica fishing charters offer a diverse array of opportunities to target some of the world’s most coveted sport fishing species. They include:
Inshore Species:
- Bonito (Sarda sarda): Renowned for their speed and agility, Atlantic bonito are mackerel-like fish prized for their fighting prowess, making them an exhilarating catch around Playa Flamingo and its surroundings.
- Grouper (Family Serranidae): Relish the taste and power of red grouper (Epinephelus morio), prized for their delicious meat and powerful strikes. As an impressive inshore species, grouper makes for an exciting Tamarindo sport fishing adventure.
- Mackerel (Family Scombridae): Experience the thrill of catching these rapid predators, including species like Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus). Known for their sharp teeth and impressive speed, mackerel present an exciting challenge in Costa Rica’s fishing waters.
- Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis): For those seeking rooster fishing in Costa Rica, we use our expertise to pursue this distinctive species, characterized by the seven spines protruding from their dorsal fins. Roosterfish in Costa Rica are a thrilling catch-and-release target.
- Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis): Test your angling skills against Costa Rica’s swift-moving skipjack tuna. They swim in schools, offering abundant and thrilling fishing experiences.
- Snapper (Family Lutjanidae): Engage with these toothy predators, including Cubera snapper (Lutjanus cyanopterus), known for their strength and intense battles. We employ various techniques, such as slow trolling and free-lining live bait, to target these formidable fish.
Offshore Species:
- Black Marlin (Makaira indica): Sought after for their elusive nature, black marlin come closer to shore during Costa Rica’s rainy season (May through November) and can sometimes be hooked as near as three miles offshore. Alfred Glassell, Jr. holds the record for the largest black marlin caught on rod and reel, weighing 1,560 lbs.
- Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans): Hunt for one of the world’s largest “bony” fish while marlin fishing in Costa Rica. Males rarely exceed 330 lbs., while females can surpass 1,000 lbs. The waters off Tamarindo and Flamingo yield large blue marlin annually, averaging around 300 lbs.
- Dorado / Mahi-Mahi / Common Dolphin Fish (Coryphaena hippurus): Large numbers of dorado are sighted in Tamarindo and Flamingo each year, especially during the rainy season (May through November), when floating debris accumulates. Known for their strength and speed, these fish are quick to reproduce and have a lifespan estimated at no more than five years.
- Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus): Known for their incredible speed (over 68 mph), Pacific sailfish provide a thrilling challenge with the potential for double-digit daily catches on Costa Rica fishing charters. Carl Stewart’s 221-lb sailfish is believed to be the largest ever caught on conventional tackle.
- Striped Marlin (Kajikia audax): Smaller yet extremely agile, striped marlin offer multiple daily hook-ups for boats based out of Flamingo Marina, Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Flamingo, and Garza. The largest striped marlin on record weighed 494 lbs. and was caught by Bill Boniface.
- Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri): Also called ono, wahoo are exceptionally fast with razor-sharp teeth. They can be found both offshore and near shore along the Nicoya Peninsula when conditions are optimal. These fish are famous for their impressive speed and ability to evade hooks.
- Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares): Known for their torpedo-like shape and bright yellow sides, yellowfin tuna are highly coveted when fishing Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, and the surrounding areas. One reported catch weighed 445 lbs., though it has yet to be confirmed by the IGFA.
Costa Rica Fishing Charters Out of Hacienda Pinilla
We offer a range of fishing charter boats that cater to various budgets based on the size of the vessel and the length of your trip. You can choose from Half Day, ¾ Day, and Full Day fishing trips.
Half-Day Sport Fishing: Half-day fishing trips focus on nearshore areas, with the captain guiding you to prime reefs about 4 miles out. Typical catches include red snapper, roosterfish, white mackerel, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. These 5-hour excursions can be scheduled from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm or from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
3/4-Day Sport Fishing: Three-quarter day fishing trips are geared towards targeting big-game fish like mahi-mahi and sailfish. This 7-hour adventure runs from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Full-Day Sport Fishing: For deep-sea fishing enthusiasts, the full-day experience offers the chance to catch the largest fish that inhabit the deeper offshore waters. Departing at 7:00 am and returning at 4:00 pm, this trip is perfect for those seeking the ultimate fishing adventure.
Our Boats: Luxury Costa Rica Sport Fishing Charters
We operate several sportfishing charter boats, including:
Coyote Tres
The Coyote Tres is a 35′ Carolina Classic sportfisher powered by twin 500 HP Cummins diesel engines. It features a spacious cockpit with a fighting chair, a covered seating area for up to seven people, and a full cabin with a private marine toilet. This boat is equipped for professional fishing and is ideal for two or three couples or a mixed group of up to six people.
Sea Cruz
The Sea Cruz is a 35′ Cabo Express with Cummins QSB6.7 480hp engines. It offers a large cockpit with a fighting chair, a covered seating area for up to eight people, and a full cabin with a private marine toilet. Outfitted for professional fishing, the Sea Cruz is perfect for three or four couples or a mixed group of up to eight people.
Seacario
This is a 48′ Jarrett Bay Custom Carolina boat powered by two Cummins QSM engines, each with 630 hp. It boasts a closed salon cabin with AC, two bedrooms, and a luxury bathroom. Equipped with security equipment and rescue gear, this boat is outfitted for professional fishing and is well-suited for three or four couples or a mixed group of up to eight people.
Please contact us for additional sportfishing charter options.
Where to Stay
Pair our luxury Costa Rica fishing charters with these gorgeous vacation homes at Hacienda Pinilla, one of the top Costa Rica luxury estates.
Casa Bonita Beach
6 Beds | 6 Baths | 19 Guests
What do a private waterslide, an expansive outdoor terrace, and epic surfing have in common? They’re all within your reach from Casa Bonita Beach, located just 600 meters/yards to a secluded beach, accessible only by guests in the community.
Welcome to the chance to carve out your own, private surf retreat: a luxury home, ripe with amenities including a private pool and shaded outdoor dining, top-of-the-line everything, and superior accessibility. First and foremost, the beach: It’s just a 7-minute walk, so you’ll be free to grab your board and go, whenever the surf itch hits.
Of course, your own private retreat is about more than what you do beyond the front door. Because here, your vacation rental is half the fun!
Casa Hamacas
6 Beds | 6 Baths | 20 Guests
Infused with the energy of the sea, Casa Hamacas is the kind of place that bids you relax and enjoy the hammocks. That is the genesis of the name, naturally: Hamacas accent the dreamy hammock garden, which encompasses elegant swings and cozy hammocks and surrounds this private paradise of sleek lines, a Balinese-style rancho, gentle lighting, and decadent luxury.
And if “dreamy hammock garden” hasn’t already sealed the deal, know that this is only one magical element of Casa Hamacas’s overall setting: a tropical home to parrots and butterflies and hummingbirds, plus expansive outdoor entertainment, including dining, grilling, lounge furniture, and one of our favorite roofed patios in the country. Deal, sealed. Private Costa Rica luxury estates? Yeah, we have ‘em!
Indeed, Casa Hamacas strives to meet and then exceed every expectation. Recent remodeling has upgraded its gourmet-ready kitchen, six spacious bedrooms, and sleek design, which combine to define and exemplify Costa Rican tropical luxury.
Casa Serena
5 Beds | 5 Baths | 10 Guests
The labyrinthine interiors at Casa Serena spare no luxury, no touch of comfort, no exquisite detail. No bones about it, this home was designed for decadence – for the kind of Costa Rica luxury that many seek but few find, because it is, simply, so very hard to find.
And that’s because, in Costa Rica, the beachfront is a rare commodity. And yet, Casa Serena sits on the Pacific Oceanfront, steps to the sand, at any time of day or night. Its custom infinity pool is built around a tree. Its decks overlook soft sand. There’s a full gym and even a spa, right in the house. Because you seek the extraordinary – this uniquely serene, only-at-Casa-Serena, sense of luxury.
Costa Rica Fishing Charters, Concierge Services, and Hacienda Pinilla
When you reserve a home with us at one of the top Costa Rica luxury estates, you gain access to not just Hacienda Pinilla, but also to our full concierge services.
When you book with us, we’ll get in touch to help you plan all the details of your stay, including your choice of Costa Rica fishing charters. Our job is to get to know you, so we can help you plan the trip of your dreams. Whether you just need help arranging transportation or would like a full itinerary – everything from your airport shuttle to a full trip’s worth of activities, private chef services, and golf cart rental – we’re happy to help.
Even better, our concierge services are always free. So, why wait? Get in touch and let’s get started!