Quepos Sports & Outdoors

Sailfish are not to be missed by any fisherman! The experience is incredible and remains one of my best memories in Costa Rica (even thought I came for the birds!!).

These big and muscular fishes will give you the fight of your life, as they rush away and jumped many time on your line. They are amazing and beautiful to see, purple, dark brown and gray ballet dancers on the ocean!

Best place we found was on the Pacific side, in the world renoun city of Quepos. We went in the beggining of February, during the best time. Many charters there, we choose Aventura Poseidon for their good prices, info, recommendations and equipment. We weren't let down! We paid 495$ each day, plus the fishing licenses (15$) and tips. It included one of the smaller boat, the Wahoo, 22-24' with outboard engine (very powerfull, we topped every other boat!) and t-top, lunch and drink (a lot of drink, don't worry!), two guides and all the fishing equipment and baits. They take us out on the ocean, about 32 miles (1 hour) at sunrise, we troll for sail fish and if opportunity arise other wonderfull fishes (mahi-mahi, rooster fish, yellow tuna, wahoo, red snapper...) and they bring us back to shore just before sunset.

The promoter was very efficient. We called him the night before and he arrange for a taxi to pick us up at our hotel and bring us to the docks. Always on the radio, he immediately called our boat and work as a translator with the taxi driver. At night, he offered to call a taxi to take us back to the hotel.

A nice point we found: these fisherman are not only very good, experience and proud of their fishes, but also very conscientious. They use circa hooks not to hurt the fish. And once the fishes are by the boat, the only take them out of the water for a few seconds (for the picture of a lifetime).

More pictures of boat, staff and (most of all) sailfishs in the travelogues of my Quepos page.

Equipment: Everything should be included in your deal. You only need maybe sunscreen, hat, shades and camera. We were recommended to take remedy against sea sickness but since it causes drowsiness we didn't took right away... and never needed it later. When we were there the sea was calm and even in our small boat we never came close to being sick.

PS We went back a year later, hired the same team since we were so happy with what we had the first time. Same great experience! See the second year's pictures in my Quepos travelogues.