--- title: Costa Rica Fishing Trip | How to Plan It Step by Step url: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/plan-fishing-trip-costa-rica/ language: en description: Plan your Costa Rica fishing trip step by step: flights, getting to Quepos, how many days to fish and which charter to choose. Read the guide and book. alternates: en: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/plan-fishing-trip-costa-rica/ es: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/es/blog/planear-viaje-de-pesca-costa-rica/ fr: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/fr/blog/organiser-voyage-peche-costa-rica/ de: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/de/blog/angelurlaub-costa-rica/ pt-BR: https://costaricafishingcompany.com/pt/blog/planejar-viagem-de-pesca-costa-rica/ business: Costa Rica Fishing Company, Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica booking: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/costa-rica-fishing-company-fighting-rooster-5858829175#about-this-trip --- Skip to content ![Planning a fishing trip to Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-45.webp) Quepos Travel 7 min read Quepos Travel · Costa Rica # How to Plan a Fishing Trip to Costa Rica — *Step by Step* When to go, which charter to book, how to get from San José to Quepos and how many days to plan — everything you need for a Costa Rica fishing trip. Ready to Fish? Book a Private Charter Half-day inshore or full-day offshore — available year-round from Marina Pez Vela. View Charters WhatsApp Us At a Glance Sailfish peak: December–April · Blue marlin: May–September Airport: San José (SJO) SJO to Quepos: ~2.5–3 h by road or ~30 min by air Stay: Quepos or Manuel Antonio (10–15 min apart) Related Posts Best Time to Fish in Quepos, Costa Rica Quepos vs Manuel Antonio — Where to Stay for a Fishing Trip What to Bring on a Costa Rica Fishing Charter — Packing Checklist How Much Does a Fishing Charter Cost in Costa Rica? Costa Rica Fishing Company August 18, 2026 ## Quick Answer - Pick your season first (sailfish peak December–April, blue marlin May–September), then choose your charter. Fly into San José (SJO) and continue to Quepos by road — roughly 2.5 to 3 hours — or on a domestic flight of about 30 minutes. Stay in Quepos or nearby Manuel Antonio, plan at least three or four nights so you can fish without rushing, and book early in peak season. The fishing license and all gear are included in our charters. ## Step 1: Choose When to Go Quepos fishes well all year, so the right season depends on what you want to catch. The dry season, December through April, is prime time for sailfish. The green season, May through November, brings blue marlin, big yellowfin tuna and some of the best inshore action of the year. Dry season is also high season for travel, so flights and hotels fill up earlier. Green-season mornings are usually calm, which is when charters run, and the rain tends to arrive in the afternoon. ## Step 2: Choose Your Charter Inshore charters stay near the coast in calmer water and target roosterfish, snapper and jack crevalle — a great fit for families and first-timers. Offshore charters run out to blue water for sailfish, marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi. Our Half-Day Inshore runs 5 hours with departures at 7:00 AM or 1:00 PM; the 3/4-Day charters run 7 hours and return by 2:00 PM; the Full-Day Offshore runs 9 hours, from 7:00 AM to about 4:00 PM. Every charter is private, so the boat is yours and your group's. If you are not sure which one fits, our inshore vs offshore guide and charter cost guide walk through the differences. ![Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica near Quepos](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-44.webp) Quepos sits on the Central Pacific coast, about 2.5–3 hours by road from San José — Costa Rica Fishing Company ## Step 3: Fly Into San José Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José is the closest international gateway to Quepos and has direct flights from many cities in North America and Europe. If your flight lands late in the day, plan to spend the first night near the airport and travel to the coast the next morning. ## Step 4: Get From San José to Quepos By road, Quepos is about 164 km from San José — usually 2.5 to 3 hours via Route 27 and the Costanera (Route 34) along the coast, depending on traffic. You can rent a car or book a shared or private shuttle. If you prefer to skip the drive, domestic airlines such as SANSA fly from SJO to Quepos's La Managua airport (XQP) in about 30 minutes. ## Step 5: Decide Where to Stay Quepos puts you closest to Marina Pez Vela, where our charters depart, which helps on early mornings. Manuel Antonio, about 10 to 15 minutes away, has the beaches, the national park and a wider choice of hotels. Either works well; our Quepos vs Manuel Antonio guide compares both in detail. ## Step 6: Plan How Many Days Plan at least three or four nights in the area. Avoid fishing on the day you arrive, and keep one spare day in case weather or sea conditions move your charter. Many anglers fish one or two days and spend the rest on the national park, canyoning, an ATV tour or a catamaran cruise. ## Step 7: Book and Prepare Book your charter as early as you can, especially for the dry season; for short-notice dates, WhatsApp is the fastest way to check availability. The fishing license, rods, tackle and bait are included, and hotel pickup can be added when you book. Before you travel, check our packing checklist so you arrive ready for a day on the water. ## Your Trip at a Glance Here are the key facts, at a glance: - Sailfish peak: December–April · Blue marlin: May–September - Airport: San José (SJO) - SJO to Quepos: ~2.5–3 h by road or ~30 min by air - Stay: Quepos or Manuel Antonio (10–15 min apart) - Trip length: at least 3–4 nights, plus a spare day - Included: fishing license, rods, tackle and bait More local fishing guides on our partner site: [manuelantoniofishingcharter.com](https://manuelantoniofishingcharter.com/) Ready to Book? Start Planning Your Costa Rica Fishing Trip Pick your dates and your charter, and we'll take care of the fishing. Private charters from Marina Pez Vela, every day of the year. View Charters WhatsApp Us - Trip Planning - Costa Rica Fishing - Quepos - Quepos Travel - San José to Quepos - Sport Fishing ![costa-rica-fishing-company-v3 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/costa-rica-fishing-company-v3.svg) #### Costa Rica Fishing Company Expert Local Fishing Guides — Quepos, Costa Rica Our team of experienced local captains and fishing guides has been operating out of Marina Pez Vela for years. We share our knowledge of the local fishery to help anglers plan the perfect Costa Rica fishing trip. Frequently Asked Questions ## Planning Your Trip *— Common Questions* **How far is Quepos from San José airport?** Quepos is about 164 km from San José, usually a 2.5 to 3 hour drive via Route 27 and the Costanera (Route 34), depending on traffic. **Can I fly directly to Quepos?** Yes, on a domestic connection. Airlines such as SANSA fly from San José (SJO) to Quepos's La Managua airport (XQP) in about 30 minutes; international flights land in San José. **How many days should I plan for a fishing trip?** At least three or four nights in Quepos or Manuel Antonio. That lets you avoid fishing on arrival day and keep a spare day in case the weather moves your charter. **Do I need my own fishing license?** No. The fishing license is included in every Costa Rica Fishing Company charter and covers everyone on board, so there is nothing to arrange in advance. **How far in advance should I book my charter?** As early as possible, especially for the dry season, when demand is highest. For short-notice dates, message us on WhatsApp for the fastest answer on availability. **Is hotel pickup available?** Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off can be added as an optional extra when you book. Many hotels in the area also offer their own shuttle to the marina. Keep Reading ## More Fishing *Tips & Guides* ![costa-rica-fishing-company-52 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-52.webp) Quepos Travel ### [Things to Do in Quepos & Manuel Antonio Besides Fishing](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/things-to-do-quepos-manuel-antonio/) October 20, 2026 · 7 min read ![costa-rica-fishing-company-48 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-48.webp) Fishing Tips ### [How to Avoid Seasickness on a Fishing Charter — 10 Tips](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/avoid-seasickness-fishing-charter/) September 22, 2026 · 6 min read ![costa-rica-fishing-company-42 - Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-42.webp) Species Guides ### [Blue Marlin Fishing in Quepos — Season, Tactics & Charters](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/blog/blue-marlin-fishing-quepos/) August 4, 2026 · 7 min read ![Fishing on the Pacific Ocean off Quepos, Costa Rica](https://costaricafishingcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/costa-rica-fishing-company-20.webp) Private Sport Fishing · Marina Pez Vela ## Ready to Fish *Costa Rica?* Private charters available every day of the year from Marina Pez Vela. Expert local captains, all tackle included, hotel pickup available. View Charters WhatsApp Us