REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS 

5.0/5 (18 reviews)
 Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, PU 60601, Costa Rica

REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS 

Quepos, PU, Costa Rica
42 ft
9
5.0/5 (18 reviews)

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At Southern Escapes, our mission remains unchanged: delivering excellence through unmatched fishing adventures. Starting June 1, 2026, Reel Freedom is launching an upgraded charter menu, featuring new pricing options, premium amenities, and bespoke add-ons.

Choose Your Adventure:

Pura Vida Lite (Half-Day / Inshore-Nearshore): Quick saltwater therapy for tight   schedules, full itineraries, or families trying Costa Rican fishing for the first time.

Pelagic Sprint (3/4 Day / Offshore): High-impact offshore targeting Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and Dorado. Perfect for groups short on time or testing their offshore legs.

Pelagic Express (Full Day / Offshore): Our signature experience. A complete day on the water targeting premier offshore gamefish.

Pelagic Deluxe (Extended Day / Offshore): For the anglers who always want 'just one more.' Extends your day past standard charter limits.

Pelagic Pursuit (2 Days, 1 Night / Ultimate Offshore): The ultimate bucket-list trip for heavy hitters (max 4 guests). Overnight targeting massive Blue/Black Marlin and giant Yellowfin Tuna.

What Is Included:

All-Inclusive Gear: High-end rods, reels, tackle, and expert Crew.
Signature Lunches: Included on all trips except Pura Vida Lite

What is Not Included: Costa Rican fishing licenses (can be purchased online in advance).

Tailor your trip with our premium upgrades:

Connectivity: High-speed onboard Wi-Fi.
Media: Professional photo, video, and drone packages with full editing.
Catering: Premium culinary menus, fine wine, and top-shelf liquor.
Celebrations: Custom arrangements for your special occasion. 
Private Stewardess: Elite onboard service to bartend, prep, and serve premium culinary items.

At Southern Escapes, our mission remains unchanged: delivering excellence through unmatched fishing adventures. Starting June 1, 2026, Reel Freedom is launching an upgraded charter menu, featuring new pricing options, premium amenities, and bespoke add-ons.

Choose Your Adventure:

Pura Vida Lite (Half-Day / Inshore-Nearshore): Quick saltwater therapy for tight   schedules, full itineraries, or families trying Costa Rican fishing for the first time.

Pelagic Sprint (3/4 Day / Offshore): High-impact offshore targeting Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, and Dorado. Perfect for groups short on time or testing their offshore legs.

Pelagic Express (Full Day / Offshore): Our signature experience. A complete day on the water targeting premier offshore gamefish.

Pelagic Deluxe (Extended Day / Offshore): For the anglers who always want 'just one more.' Extends your day past standard charter limits.

Pelagic Pursuit (2 Days, 1 Night / Ultimate Offshore): The ultimate bucket-list trip for heavy hitters (max 4 guests). Overnight targeting massive Blue/Black Marlin and giant Yellowfin Tuna.

What Is Included:

All-Inclusive Gear: High-end rods, reels, tackle, and expert Crew.
Signature Lunches: Included on all trips except Pura Vida Lite

What is Not Included: Costa Rican fishing licenses (can be purchased online in advance).

Tailor your trip with our premium upgrades:

Connectivity: High-speed onboard Wi-Fi.
Media: Professional photo, video, and drone packages with full editing.
Catering: Premium culinary menus, fine wine, and top-shelf liquor.
Celebrations: Custom arrangements for your special occasion. 
Private Stewardess: Elite onboard service to bartend, prep, and serve premium culinary items.

Stan Cook
Captain
Stan Cook
29 years of experience
responds within an hour

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
August 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
Pura Vida Lite
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Jack Crevalle
Marlin (Blue)
Roosterfish
+6
US $1,600
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Pelagic Sprint
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue)
Sailfish
Tuna (Yellowfin)
+2
US $2,400
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Pelagic Express
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue)
Sailfish
Tuna (Yellowfin)
+2
US $2,800
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Pelagic Deluxe
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
10 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue)
Sailfish
Tuna (Yellowfin)
+2
US $3,000
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Pelagic Pursuit
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
2 Day Trip starts at 7:00 PM
Overnight stay, liveaboard
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue)
Sailfish
Tuna (Yellowfin)
+2
US $5,800
Entire boat: up to 9 people
There are 3 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
18 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (40)

All reviews (18)

Frequently mentioned
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Showing 15 of 18 reviews
Steven S
Steven S
Member since 2026
5.0
Great trip. Stan is a great host and captian.
Pelagic Express on May 16, 2026

The wife and I had a great trip. We caught a bunch of new fish for us. the boat was great and we really could not have asked for me. We will be back to CR and book with Stan again.

Reported catch:
Sailfish
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Yellowfin Tuna
Black Marlin
Stan Cook
Response from Captain

Thanks Steve! It was a pleasure and cant wait to see you again.

Lisa Trebilcock
Lisa Trebilcock
us
Florida, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Caught the Big One!
Pelagic Sprint on December 2, 20255 adults

No sooner did we say, "we'd love a big marlin," a big one hit the line! Followed by a sailfish! We were thrilled. Captain Stan and crew really delivered. Highly recommend. Not to mention a delicious lunch, and seeing tons of dolphin and a couple sea turtle. Great 3/4 day! Thank you, Captain Stan and crew!

Reported catch:
Blue Marlin
Sailfish
Ryan Duncan
Ryan Duncan
us
Florida, US
Member since 2026
The captain canceled
March 11, 2026
Trip was supposed to happen on March 11, 2026

The charter operator canceled 2 days prior to the trip date. This is an automated posting.

FishingBooker Member
FishingBooker Member
5.0
Unforgettable days on the water with Captain Stan and the Reel Freedom Crew!
Pelagic Express on May 5, 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of fishing with Captain Stan on the Reel Freedom out of Quepos, Costa Rica—and what an incredible experience it was! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. Captain Stan is the real deal—professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about what he does. He put us right on the fish, and we had non-stop action throughout the day. His years of experience and calm confidence made the whole trip smooth and exciting. A huge shoutout to the mates onboard—these guys were phenomenal! Friendly, hardworking, and incredibly skilled, they made sure everything ran like clockwork. Whether it was rigging lines, helping land the catch, or just keeping spirits high, they were top-notch the entire time. And we can't forget Michele, Captain Stan's wonderful wife. From the moment we booked the trip, Michele was warm, welcoming, and incredibly helpful in making sure everything went off without a hitch. You can tell this is more than just a business—it's a true family-run operation built on passion and pride. If you're looking for an unforgettable fishing adventure in Quepos, look no further than Reel Freedom. Thanks again to Captain Stan, Michele, and the amazing crew—we'll definitely be back!

Reported catch:
Sailfish
Yellowfin Tuna
Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin
+1
Chad Michaelsen
Chad Michaelsen
Repeat angler
us
Florida, US
Member since 2021
3 trips
5.0
Verified
Epic Sailfish day!!
Pelagic Express on April 23, 20257 adults

We had an amazing day on Reel Freedom. I've fished out of Quepos numerous times and our entire group thought Reel Freedom, Captain Bill and his team ran a spectacular boat. We had a rather large group of friends and all 7 of us caught sailfish - ended up landing 11 overall. Not only did Bill put us on the fish but his guys were great at keeping everyone engaged. The equipment was top notch and the boat was perfect for a larger group. Lunch was excellent !! I would absolutely go fishing with this crew when I am in Quepos and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to catch fish during their stay in Quepos!.

FAQs about REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS

REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $1,600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 6 guests - Pura Vida Lite (4 hours)
  • US $2,400 per group, additional US $100 per person after 6 guests - Pelagic Sprint (6 hours)
  • US $2,800 per group, additional US $98 per person after 6 guests - Pelagic Express (8 hours)
  • US $3,000 per group, additional US $100 per person after 6 guests - Pelagic Deluxe (10 hours)
  • US $5,800 per day per group - Pelagic Pursuit (2 days)
When you book a trip with REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Reel Freedom has (1) bathroom. The bathroom has a standard, marine toilet similar to what you would find on land, handwashing sink and a shower. (shower not available to single day charters)
  • Air conditioning
  • Fighting chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Live bait well
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Multimedia system
  • Outriggers
  • Tuna tubes
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (Before we make our run offshore, our first priority of the morning is getting live bait, depending on the species we are targeting that day. Mother Nature controls the schedule here—availability changes daily, sometimes it's fast, sometimes it requires pa)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Expert cleaning and fillet service is included with each charter. Our crew completes this process prior to docking. Your catch is expertly filleted and bagged for you to take home for dinner. Take all of it or some of it, whatever you don't take will be d)
  • Snacks (We have you fully covered with fresh fruit as a snack, your lunch, water, soda, and beer—all included with your charter. Just show up ready to fish, and let us handle the rest.)
  • Drinks (Water, soda, and local beer are included with your charter. If you have any special requests, we are happy to accommodate with advance notice and an additional charge.)
  • First mate (Ready for an unforgettable trip with the best in the business? Meet Garden Smith, our Costa Rican born and raised first mate and relief captain. Garden knows these pelagic waters like the back of his hand, and his passion for fishing is truly contagious. )
  • Lunch (Lunch is included and catered directly from the highly reviewed restaurant The Butcher Block, located at Marina Pez Vela and go to location for post fishing beverages, air conditioning and fish stories.)
REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (How far offshore we travel depends entirely on the specific trip you purchase. For our full-day and extended-day charters, we go as far out as we need to go to put you on the fish. For shorter trips, we maximize your time by hitting our proven, secret hon)
REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly fishing
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS include:
  • Cero Mackerel
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Marlin (Black)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (Striped)
  • Roosterfish
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Cubera)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)

Your captain

Stan Cook
Stan Cook
Stan Cook

Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

7 Fishing Reports
18 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since December 2024

Captain Stan is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and professional angler with over a decade of experience guiding in Quepos, Costa Rica. From running charter vessels for his Special Operations brethren in North Carolina after retirement to commanding his fourth offshore boat today, Stan operates his business alongside his wife, Michele—who passionately champions women in sportfishing—and their famous boat dog, Coco of Quepos.

Our Team
Garden S.

Garden S.

First mate

Michele C.

Michele C.

Business partner

Bill C.

Bill C.

Captain

Stan C.

Stan C.

Captain

7 Fishing Reports
18 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since December 2024

Captain Stan is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and professional angler with over a decade of experience guiding in Quepos, Costa Rica. From running charter vessels for his Special Operations brethren in North Carolina after retirement to commanding his fourth offshore boat today, Stan operates his business alongside his wife, Michele—who passionately champions women in sportfishing—and their famous boat dog, Coco of Quepos.

Our Team
Garden S.

Garden S.

First mate

Michele C.

Michele C.

Business partner

Bill C.

Bill C.

Captain

Stan C.

Stan C.

Captain

The fish you can target

Cero Mackerel
Cero Mackerel
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Black Marlin
Black Marlin
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin
Striped Marlin
Roosterfish
Roosterfish
Sailfish
Sailfish
Cubera Snapper
Cubera Snapper
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
Cero Mackerel
Cero Mackerel
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Black Marlin
Black Marlin
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
Striped Marlin
Striped Marlin

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
9 persons
Boat length
42 ft
Year built
1999
Restored in
2025
Boat manufacturer
Ocean
Boat type
Sportfishing
Engine model
Caterpillar C7.1
Powered by
2 x 420HP
Max cruising speed
28 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
How far offshore we travel depends entirely on the specific trip you purchase. For our full-day and extended-day charters, we go as far out as we need to go to put you on the fish. For shorter trips, we maximize your time by hitting our proven, secret hon

Which fishing techniques you can try

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

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Reel Freedom has (1) bathroom. The bathroom has a standard, marine toilet similar to what you would find on land, handwashing sink and a shower. (shower not available to single day charters)
Air conditioning
Fighting chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Flybridge
Live bait well
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Multimedia system
Outriggers
Tuna tubes
Ice box
Radar

What's included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Before we make our run offshore, our first priority of the morning is getting live bait, depending on the species we are targeting that day. Mother Nature controls the schedule here—availability changes daily, sometimes it's fast, sometimes it requires pa
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Expert cleaning and fillet service is included with each charter. Our crew completes this process prior to docking. Your catch is expertly filleted and bagged for you to take home for dinner. Take all of it or some of it, whatever you don't take will be d
Snacks
We have you fully covered with fresh fruit as a snack, your lunch, water, soda, and beer—all included with your charter. Just show up ready to fish, and let us handle the rest.
Drinks
Water, soda, and local beer are included with your charter. If you have any special requests, we are happy to accommodate with advance notice and an additional charge.
First mate
Ready for an unforgettable trip with the best in the business? Meet Garden Smith, our Costa Rican born and raised first mate and relief captain. Garden knows these pelagic waters like the back of his hand, and his passion for fishing is truly contagious.
Lunch
Lunch is included and catered directly from the highly reviewed restaurant The Butcher Block, located at Marina Pez Vela and go to location for post fishing beverages, air conditioning and fish stories.

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 30 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child friendly
At Southern Escapes and aboard Reel Freedom, we absolutely love kids and want to create lifelong memories and future offshore anglers who are just as passionate about the sport as we are! Our only request is supervise them as you would at home.
You keep catch
Catch and release mandatory
By Law all Billfish are catch and release

How you can pay

Book with 25% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

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

 Bank transfer

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Quepos right now

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Black)Marlin (Black)
Marlin (Blue)Marlin (Blue)
Marlin (Striped)Marlin (Striped)
RoosterfishRoosterfish
SailfishSailfish
Snapper (Cubera)Snapper (Cubera)
Tuna (Yellowfin)Tuna (Yellowfin)

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REEL FREEDOM CHARTERS
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Group size 1 - 9
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Fish 1
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+7
4 hour trip • 6 persons
US $1,600