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lbp1126 Dec 9th, 2003 02:07 PM

Family Fishing Trip
 
We are planning a family fishing trip to Costa Rica this summer. Would appreciate advice on places to charter a large sportsfishing boat, good places and guides for offshore Billfishing and backcountry fishing and great accomodations and locations to go to that a family with two boys (pre-teen) would enjoy.

Sam_Salmon Dec 9th, 2003 08:43 PM

Well you're really talking about 2 different activities here and one is not advised.

Offshore Big Game fishing out of http://www.lossuenosresort.com/ will be excellent-if you can stand the expense.
It's on the Pacific side and there is no 'backcountry' fishing although Inshore-Snook and other smaller species are possible.

At one time the Caribbean side of Costa Rica was famous for Tarpon fishing in the jungle shrouded lagoons and river mouths that line that coast.However pollution from inland banana farms has changed the feeding patterns of Tarpon-now they rarely come 'Inside' and must be pursued on the Ocean-which requires bigger boats and different tackle than formerly.

Combining an Offshore trip on the Pacific with Tarpon fishing on the Caribbean and 2 young kids is almost certain to be an ordeal IMO-it'll be hot and humid on the Caribbean side just hot on the Pacific.

If you want some more suggestions as to Charters try having a look at http://www.tamarindosportfishing.com/ they can arrange accomodations as well.

scs Dec 10th, 2003 12:04 PM

We stayed at the Marriott at Los Suenos last January. It was a beautiful property right on the water with great pools and restaurants. We had a great time there, and it is within walking distance to the marina. You never actually leave Los Suenos property to get to the marina. There are also condos there, but I wouldn't know about rentals. I'm sure there is info on the website Sam gave you.

Suzie2 Dec 10th, 2003 08:06 PM

The Barra Colorado area of Costa Rica is known for some of the best Tarpon, snook, backwater fishing in Costa Rica. Don't know what your budget is but there are some incredible fishing trips up that way. You can rent a houseboat that has its own chef and small boats to get into the smaller areas.
Silver King lodge is supposed to be quite good.
There is a place called Rio Indio that has several options and is actually located in Nicaragua. We will be staying there for several days ourselves this coming Feb.
A good bit of the fishing is done on the San Juan River and is much further north than the banana plantations that were refered to.
Unfortunately you pay a good price for good fishing. I would look through several guide books for one that gives you the best info on those areas.
For the billfishing, we have had the best luck out of Quepos. There are quite a few fishing trips out of the Flamingo area further north also. We have gone out for bill 4 times out of the Osa area (Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez and have never had as good a catch as we have out of Quepos). There is a relatively new place in Puerto Jimenez called Crocodile Bay. It has been there for a few years and have heard some good reports about it. I have walked/driven past it several times and it is not the prettiest place but once the plants grow up to hide the cinderblock buildings it will probably look better. It does have airconditioning and from what I have heard the service and food are top quality as are the fishing boats/captains.
If you do decide to go to Los Suenos do get out of the complex. There is so much more to Costa Rica that you would miss. The Manuel Antonio/Quepos area would be a great place for the kiddos if they want to see lots of monkeys. There are lots of rainforest tours around there also.
Fishcostarica.com is a good web site.

scs Dec 11th, 2003 12:30 PM

If you were to go to Los Suenos, I agree with Suzie2 that you should get out of the resort/marina area and see Costa Rica. There is so much to do and see, you wouldn't want to miss it.


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