Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish
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Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish

9 reviews
Calle Ocotal
Coco GU, Costa Rica

Papagayo Charters invites you to join them on Costa Rican angling adventures and experience the best of what the waters of Playa de Ocotal have to offer! Captain Nelson is a passionate fisherman and a dedicated captain who will get you on the best catch of your life.

Inshore or offshore trip, half day or full, it is entirely up to you to decide — your captain will take you out and show you some of the hottest fishing grounds around.

More experienced anglers that want the thrill of the chase and are eager to battle big gamefish. Billfish fans would definitely want to book an offshore trip. Pacific Sailfish, Striped or Blue Marlin are the upper crust you’ll be going after, as well as Bull Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Roosterfish that won’t go down without a fight.

Go on an inshore trip when you’re in the mood to admire the gorgeous coastline of Costa Rica and want to hook anything from Amberjack and Red Snapper, to Bonito and Jack Crevalle. Your little ones will have lots of fun on these trips too, so bring them along for a fishing outing to remember.

Your ride for the day is the “Tuna Fish” — a 30’ Phoenix Tournament Yacht made ​​of fiberglass, powered by a 450 HP Cummins engine. The vessel is fully equipped to take up to 5 anglers fishing, built for long-range high-speed runs to get you on the fish fast.

Fishing gear that includes rods, reels, tackle, live bait, and lures will wait for you on board. Snorkeling equipment is also available upon request, in case it gets too hot from being face to gills with the fish. Bottled water, sodas, and snacks are also provided, as well as lunch on full day trips.

Want your impressive catch cleaned? Capt. Nelson’s first mate will take care of that for you, and help you out throughout the trip, so tipping him at the end of it is encouraged.

Let Papagayo Charters take you on your next fishing trip and you’ll have such a great time, that you’ll always be back for more!

  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Toilet
  • Child Friendly
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Fighting Chair
  • Food (Lunch & Snacks)

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    $1,000
    price breakdown
    $1,000
    The full day trip is the perfect choice when you want to experience going after Billfish such as Striped or Blue Marlin and Pacific Sailfish in the waters of Gulf of Papagayo. Offshore trips usually take place 25-30 miles away from the coast. If you prefer inshore fishery, then you might hook anything from Roosterfish, Amberjack, and Wahoo, just to mention a few.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
    $900
    price breakdown
    $900
    Be an early bird and start your morning with a fishing trip that will keep you on the trail of Amberjack, Bonito, Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, Roosterfish, Jack Crevalle, and the list goes on. Whether you come with your family or angler friends, great fun and an even better catch is guaranteed.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $900
    price breakdown
    $900
    Half day inshore fishing is a great pick for those who want to enjoy Costa Rica's landscapes on a 4-hour fishing charter. You will be fishing in the middle of the Gulf of Papagayo where you could catch Mahi Mahi, Roosterfish, Bonito, Red Snapper, Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, and much more. Take your family, friends, or your partner fishing, and enjoy Costa Rica from another angle. Will be worth every penny!

About the Captain

Nelson Mendez
Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
5 Fishing Reports
12 Customer Reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since December 2013
Captain Nelson Mendez will be your guide for the fishing trip on the Tuna Fish. He has fished around all Central and North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica looking for big game sportfish including Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Roosterfish, and Mahi Mahi. His ample experience in both inshore and offshore fishing makes him a well-rounded angler able and ready to target any pelagic species in the Gulf of Papagayo. Nelson is in love with every form of fishing — be it sportfishing, inshore or offshore, he truly commits to doing it all. He is simple, responsible, kind, and persistent, all the qualities that make an amazing captain. Nelson started fishing when he was 13 years old, and at the age of 18, he started working as the first mate and hasn't looked back since. Nelson also participated in 3 international fly fishing tournaments, where he made amazing results and won the third place once, and a second place twice.

About this listing

Targeted Species

Amberjack Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Goliath) Grouper (Goliath)
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle

Marlin (Blue) Marlin (Blue)
Rainbow Runner Rainbow Runner
Roosterfish Roosterfish
Sailfish Sailfish

Snapper (Red) Snapper (Red)
Spanish Mackerel Spanish Mackerel
Tuna (Yellowfin) Tuna (Yellowfin)
Wahoo Wahoo

Boat Specs

Phoenix (Offshore sport fishing) originally built in 2000. Powered by a 450HP Cummins engine.

Length
30 ft
Capacity
5 persons

Types of Fishing

Inshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Fishing Techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Life Jackets
Fishfinder
Snorkeling Equipment
Live Bait Well
Multimedia System
Outriggers
Tuna Tubes
Ice Box
Toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Life Jackets
Fishfinder
Snorkeling Equipment

Trip Includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Drinks
First Mate
Lunch

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

Customers can cancel or modify their booking up to 7 days before the trip date free of charge. If the trip is canceled or modified later, or in the event of a no-show, 100% of the deposit will be charged.

Listing Policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
No Smoking
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
Pay remaining balance to captain
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
Cash
Visa
Mastercard
PayPal

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, there is a 5% fee.

Coco Fishing Calendar

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Customer Reviews

Rating Summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (11)
4.74
out of 5 stars from 9 reviews
See details
Boat
Crew
Experience
January fishing trip
January fishing trip
Full day 30'
+8
Angler Rating
7
1
1
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
75%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
89%
Appropriate for children
50%
Satisfied with the boat
67%
Catch intended fish
100%
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5 of 9 reviews
Phillip S.
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

January fishing trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on January 31, 2020
Phillip S. recommends Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish
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Chis G.
La Fortuna, A
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Great Day on the Water.

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on April 10, 2018
Captain Nelson and his brother were great.  They picked us up on the beach of our resort to start the day.  They...
Chis G. recommends Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish
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John C.
Safety Harbor, Florida
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Full day with Captain Nelson and Carlos

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on July 14, 2017
It was a real dream of my husband’s to go deep sea fishing in Costa Rica. And this trip more than fulfilled it for him....
John C. recommends Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish
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Albert A.
Puntarenas, P
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Full day 30'

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on April 28, 2019
Requested thar we target roosters,yellowfin tuna, and a cubberra snapper. Captain got first two done and then we trolled....
Albert A. recommends Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Valerie S.
San Jose, CA
 3.33
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

March fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - Inshore (AM) on March 5, 2020
Valerie S. does not recommend Papagayo Charters - 30' Tuna Fish
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