It’s no surprise that Los Sueños is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica. This 1,400-acre luxury resort separates luscious green mountains from golden beaches and crystal clear waters, giving you stunning views wherever you look. Marvel as you enjoy the scenery, top-class service, and experience the vacation of a lifetime. But there’s one thing missing – a Los Sueños fishing trip!
Fishing here is what dreams are made of. The productive inshore and nearshore waters quickly give way to the deep seas of the Pacific. Out there, it’s a Billfish playground almost 365 days a year! The resort caters to anglers of all levels, too, allowing you to make the most of Los Sueños’s fishing grounds. Head down to the marina and hop aboard a charter, or grab some tackle from the local bait store. Whatever you choose, a real angling adventure awaits.
Best Fish to Catch in Los Sueños
Before choosing where to go on your next fishing vacation, you’ll want to know what you can target. We’re here to tell you that it doesn’t get much better than Los Sueños. Some of Central America’s most sought-after inshore fish can be found in the bays, with the reefs offering up plenty of delicious creatures too. Add to that some world-class big game creatures offshore, and you’re in for a real treat.
Roosterfish and Jacks
We’ll start our guide to Los Sueños’s fishing pick inshore. All over Central America’s Pacific coast, but nowhere more so than Costa Rica, inshore fishing is synonymous with targeting Roosterfish. These impressive, exotic creatures will dazzle you with their beauty and incredible size, and they’re also great fun to catch. And alongside them, you’ll find a whole range of Jacks, too.
Whether on shore or on a boat in the bays, you’ll want to test your skills and strength against these creatures. While both Roosterfish and Jacks will gobble up any bait or flies you put out there, they promise to run away with your line to the depths. Roosterfish won’t hide under rocks, so light tackle can do the job, but make sure you have something a little stronger for the Jacks.
Snappers and Groupers
A little further out into the bay, and your attention will turn to the reefs. These underwater feeding and breeding grounds attract numerous colorful and sought-after fish. But none are as versatile as Snappers and Groupers. Exciting to do battle with and delicious in equal measure, these creatures promise fun during the day and delicious rewards long into the night.
Cubera Snapper and Broomtail Grouper will be your main two targets, but there are plenty of members of both families out there. Bottom fish these productive hunting grounds and you could land yourself Mullet, Yellow, Rock, or Dogtooth Snapper, along with Bigeye or Yellowfin Grouper. You may even come across a monster Goliath Grouper! But you’ll want to release these beasts to fight another day.
Yellowfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi
If Snappers and Groupers come close to being all-round fish, then Tuna and Mahi Mahi tick all the boxes. Strong, tough-fighting, and incredibly tasty, there’s pretty much nothing that these fish can’t do. And, the best part is – they’re available whenever you come to Los Sueños! While they usually migrate to find warmer climes, the temperature here is ideal year-round. Head to the edge of the bays and out to the deep, and chances are, you’ll take ‘em on.
Trolling yields the greatest rewards when going after these two beauties, and you’d better get ready for a real fight when you hear the reels scratch. Mahi Mahi will use their rapid speed to run away with your line, while Tuna will plummet to great depths to escape your hook. You’ll be forced to work hard for every inch! But it’ll all be worth it as you snap a picture with ’em before cooking ‘em up for a delicious dinner.
Sailfish and Marlin
If you thought it couldn’t get any better, just wait ’til you see the Billfish that Los Sueños has in store for you. With the continental shelf just 20 miles offshore, big game creatures are all around you. On top of the wishlist – and, indeed, most anglers’ bucket lists – are Marlin and Sailfish. These two monsters are truly the fish you want to catch.
Stunning Sails are sure to leave you lost for words with their beauty, while Marlin provide an even more impressive acrobatic show as they try to evade your hook. Strong in the extreme, these beasts love to put up a fight, so you’ll need to bring your A-game if you want to reel one in. And when you do, there’s no feeling like it! Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin are all possible, along with Sailfish, so you’re always in with a chance of landing a trophy!
How to Go Fishing in Los Sueños
As one of Costa Rica’s prime resorts, Los Sueños provides plenty of ways for you to get your fish on. Grab your tackle from the bait shop in the resort itself, or hop aboard one of the numerous fishing charters in the marina. If you fancy fishing further afield, you can also head out of the resort to any of the neighboring towns and cast a line there. Here’s our pick of how to make the most of your Los Sueños fishing trip.
Los Sueños Shore Fishing
While there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in the resort all day every day, you may also want some peace and quiet. It is your holiday after all! Shore fishing in Los Sueños may be just what you need. Rent some gear and bait and away you go! Hit the surf, the jetties, or any bit of land you can find, and cast away to target the prized inshore creatures that you can find from shore.
Surf fishing is not as popular as hiring a charter, but that just means more space for you! Explore the mouths of the small rivers to experience the best of the action. You may even find Snook biting away at your line. However, if you want to land a Roosterfish, get a very long line and cast out into the heart of Herradura Bay. Just make sure your tackle is heavy enough.
Los Sueños Kayak Fishing
Now we’ve mentioned that Los Sueños is one of Costa Rica’s leading resorts. But what kind of resort would it be if it didn’t keep up with the latest trends? Los Sueños leads the way in innovative ways to enjoy your vacation, and so kayak fishing is on the long list of things you can try when you come.
Not only does it guarantee a good workout, but it’s also an incredibly fun way of exploring the inshore waterways. Paddle or pedal your way to sea, then cast your line to attract the fish! There are plenty of guides in the resort to give you a helping hand, but you can also head a little further south to Jacó. This is a popular starting point for kayak fishing, and it will give you the chance to explore the area.
Los Sueños Party Boat Fishing
From the solitude of shore and kayak fishing to the madness of party boat fishing. Fishing aboard a large vessel with up to dozens of other anglers is exactly what it sounds like! You’ll head out on the water with like-minded individuals, and it’s a great option for solo anglers or those of you on a budget.
Party boats are large and slow, so you won’t venture much further than Herradura Bay. But that’s okay. There are plenty of Jacks, Roosterfish, and even Groupers and Snappers to keep you entertained. You may need to take turns casting a line due to space constraints. However, that helps avoid the chance of lines getting tangled and the fish getting scared, so you may get action as good as on a charter!
Los Sueños Charter Fishing
Speaking of charters – without a doubt, the best way to experience Los Sueños’s fishing grounds is on one. Not only is it the only way you can get offshore, but it’s also your best bet of ensuring plenty of fish inshore and nearshore. Bring your nearest and dearest aboard and target all of the prized creatures that call these waters home.
You’ll have all the equipment you need for a productive day out – including rods, reels, bait, lures. Some charters may even provide food and drinks! Your professional captain, and sometimes even a mate, will also be on hand to help you land whatever you want. These pros will take you to all the best spots, using all the most effective techniques. So settle in for a thrilling day out with plenty of rewards!
Los Sueños Fishing Spots
Now you know what you want to catch and how to go about it. The next step is finding out exactly where to go. The crystal clear waters will grip you from wherever you look in Los Sueños. But here are our recommendations of where to go to get the biggest bang for your buck:
- Jacó Beach: Just a short trip down the coast, the town of Jacó boasts its own beach with incredible angling opportunities. This is the best place for surf fishing, with a jetty in the south and a river in the north to attract all the best inshore fish.
- Herradura Bay: The “Horseshoe” Bay that Los Sueños looks out onto is full of Roosterfish, Jacks, Snappers, Groupers, and more. What better way to explore it than by getting out on it?
- Gulf of Nicoya: Just beyond the bay, the Gulf of Nicoya opens up. This is a playground for all reef fish that grow to incredible sizes. Come here to get your fill of tasty treats for dinner!
- The Pacific Ocean: This may seem a little vague, but you can’t go wrong once you hit the deep waters. Let your captain’s fishfinder do the work of finding those monsters, before you go after the fish of your dreams!
When to Go Fishing in Los Sueños
Like the rest of Central America, Costa Rica generally experiences two different seasons – a wet and a dry one. The wet, or the “green season”, as the locals call it, runs from May through November while the dry season takes place from December through April. The fish will bite during both seasons, but most visitors tend to pick the dry period to fish in Los Sueños.
Besides from offering the most favorable weather conditions, the dry season is also the peak time to hunt for Billfish along the central part of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. It’s when you’ll see the biggest numbers of Marlin and Sailfish, and it’s when most of the area’s famous tournaments take place.
But if you happen to visit during the green season, you’ll discover it’s almost as good as the dry one. First of all, there’ll be fewer tourists and less fishing pressure. Secondly, even though it’s called a wet season, it typically rains in the afternoon, leaving you the whole morning to fish. Also, the Billfish action during May, June, and July is absolutely incredible.
So when’s the best time to fish in Los Sueños? The answer is – as soon as you can!
Los Sueños Fishing Regulations
Before going fishing anywhere, but especially in a foreign country, you’ll want to get acquainted with local rules and regulations. Fortunately, there are very few restrictions when it comes to keeping the most edible creatures in Costa Rica. To amplify that point – unlike in the US, Snook is available year-round in good quantities. Take advantage of year-round open seasons and get your fill of meat!
All Billfish and Roosterfish must be released, however. But that’s no issue, as you’ll have done everything you can with them by reeling ‘em in. Snap a photo and let them loose to fight again.
If you’re planning on going fishing from shore, then you won’t need a license. However, if you’re out on the water, you’ll have to get one from INCOPESCA. Some captains may offer to get them for you, but check with them before you decide anything, as you can get them pretty easily online. After all, there’s no need to overpay when the process is simple!
Los Sueños Fishing Tournaments
There’s just one more thing we need to let you in on when it comes to fishing in Los Sueños. And that’s its world-famous tournament! The Signature Triple Crown takes place in January, February, and March, and anglers from all over the world flock to land the largest Marlin and Sailfish out there, among many more. Come and join the action or marvel at the monster fish brought back to shore!
And You’re Good to Go!
You’re now an expert on fishing out of Los Sueños! If you’re looking for a vacation destination that ticks all the boxes when it comes to fishing and more, there’s nowhere better. Kick back and unwind in this five-star resort, target some of the most sought-after fish in the world, and discover some of Costa Rica’s riches. What more could you want? A Los Sueños fishing adventure promises it all.
If you crave more information on how to fish in Costa Rica, visit our Costa Rica Fishing: The Complete Guide and enjoy reading about fish species, hotspots, angling techniques, and regulations.
Have you ever been to Los Sueños? Did you engage in the top-class angling action? How was it? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
