LOCATION
Manzanillo, Costa Rica (Caribbean Coast)
SEASON
Spring Season: March 1 – June 15
Fall Season: September 1 – November 15
CAPACITY
The lodge utilizes a maximum of five boats and guides, meaning there is a maximum of ten fishing guests per week.
SPECIES
Tarpon, with some possibilities for snook, jacks, mackerel, and others
GENERAL INFORMATION
If you’re looking for a remote Caribbean tarpon fishing destination that offers great value and an impressive number of medium-to-large-sized tarpon, then Manzanillo, Costa Rica might be the place for your next trip.
LENGTH OF STAY
Standard package length consists of seven nights and five days of fishing, although trips of any length can be arranged.
THE FISHING
This is a tarpon fishing destination – plain and simple. Whether you an experienced angler looking for a triple-digit “silver king”, or a first-timer looking to land your first tarpon on a fly, the waters of the Manzanillo are a great choice for your next tarpon fishing adventure. Anglers who visit Tarponville will fish the coastline that extends south from Manzanillo all the way past the Sixaola River, the border of Costa Rica and Panama. Unlike other Costa Rican tarpon fisheries, the waters you will be fishing are clear during most times of the year. While you will not necessarily be sight casting to flats tarpon the way you would in the Keys or in Northern Belize, you are constantly fishing to rolling concentrations of tarpon, something that eliminates the tedious “blind-casting” that many people associate with fishing the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Whether you are casting to rolling fish in the murky waters at the mouth of the Sixaola River, or fishing the crystal clear waters of Gandoca or Monkey Island, the action is usually consistent, and the fish are usually large!
Tarpon in the area average 75 to 80 pounds, with fish in the 120 to 160-pound range not at all uncommon. Fish under 40 pounds are rare. For that reason, anglers traveling to Tarponville should bring at least 2 (if not more) heavy tarpon rods (11 to 13 weights,) numerous tarpon leaders with 100 pound shock and 20 pound class tippet, and a good selection of large tarpon flies.
While the guides in the area are still developing – both in regards to experience and equipment – their boatmanship and knowledge of area waters reflects their lifetime experiences fishing on the ocean. The time has never been better to fish an area that few anglers have ever had the chance to visit. This is a very legitimate fishery that we highly recommend for the angler looking to focus on tarpon.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
All boats utilized by Tarponville are 26 to 28 foot pangas, each equipped with a 60 to 100 HP motors. While the boats are not as cleanly laid out as other flats-type skiffs that we have seen and fished out of, they are large and roomy, often-times enabling two anglers to fish at the same time. As the operation continues to grow, we expect that the lay-out and features of the skiffs to improve as well – probably sooner rather than later! In the meantime, the boats utilized are very fishable and extremely roomy and comfortable.
As far as gear and equipment goes, rental tarpon rods and reels are available for a charge of $25.00 per day for the complete package. Anglers are advised to bring their own gear, however, as tackle and flies are limited.
THE LODGING
Complete Tarponville Lodge fishing packages include accommodations in beachfront rooms located just outside the village of Manzanillo. Each room at the small lodge has two beds, ceiling fans, a private bathroom, and a beachfront view of one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Caribbean. Guests will also have access to the internet and the lodge telephone, where they can make or receive calls. The rooms are located only a few yards from the waters edge on a beautiful beach perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or just plain relaxing. The combination of the ceiling fans and consistent ocean breezes make sleeping quite comfortable. The lodge is located in the middle of the Manzanillo/Gandoca Wildlife Refuge, one of the most beautiful places in the entire area. Howler monkeys, sloths, a ridiculous number of bird species, and other wildlife can all be viewed from your front porch in the mornings and evenings.
All meals at the lodge will be prepared by local cooks, and the menu will include such items as snapper, lobster (seasonal), local fruits and vegetables, and other local delicacies. The Lodge bar and kitchen area is stocked with complimentary beer, rum, sodas, and mixers for any alcohol that you would like to purchase at the duty free store in San Jose and bring with you to the lodge. A normal fishing day will start with breakfast at 6:00 AM. You will depart for the fishing grounds by 6:30 AM (a 20-30 minute run.) Normally you will return by noon for a prepared lunch, return to fish at about 2:00 PM until dark. This schedule allows you to be on the water during the prime fishing hours. Fishing aside, this is a gorgeous Caribbean destination loaded with activities options and numerous things to see and do.
RATES & DETAILS
2009
TRIP LENGTH |
2 Per Room, 2 Per Boat |
1 Per Room, 1 Per Boat |
Non Angler Rate |
8 Nights /
6 Fishing Days |
$3,180 |
$3,830 |
$1,320 |
7 Nights /
5 Fishing Days |
$2,780 |
$3,730 |
$1,150 |
6 Nights /
4 Fishing Days |
$2,280 |
$3,090 |
$990 |
5 Nights /
3 Fishing Days |
$1,880 |
$2,490 |
$825 |
Additional rate for single room with a shared boat (2 anglers per boat) = Add $95.00 per night to double occupancy package.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
The number of nights lodging and days fishing as specified in your package, all meals, open bar for beer and rum, private round-trip transfer or rental car from San Jose to Manzanillo, all taxes, nights in San Jose when necessary, flies and custom leaders.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare from original destination to San Jose, Costa Rica, gratuities for guides, shuttle driver and lodge staff, phone use, travel insurance, liquor other than beer and rum, and equipment.
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YDFA) within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
HOW TO GET THERE
Anglers traveling to Manzanillo will begin their journey by flying into the Costa Rican capital of San Jose. Upon arrival, you will be met by a Tarponville representative at the San Jose International Airport (SJO)
If you arrive into San Jose in the morning or afternoon, you can transfer directly to Manzanillo via private van or a rental car (both are included in the price of the overall package.) If you choose the private van option, a driver will transport you from the airport directly to Manzanillo – a journey of approximately 4 hours. If you choose the rental car option (something that allows you a greater degree of transportation options while in Manzanillo,) the representative at the airport will assist you with the rental car procedures and guide you through San Jose, delivering you safely to the Limon highway. From there, it is an easy drive to Manzanillo.
If you arrive into San Jose in the late evening or at night, you will be transferred directly to the Costa Verde Inn where you will spend the night. You will depart early the next morning for the 4 hour drive to Manzanillo. Depending on what time you leave San Jose, you can either fish upon arrival in Manzanillo, or you can spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the area’s numerous non-angling activities. Having done so ourselves we recommend that you avoid traveling the roads at night – especially the main east-west highway. The road is narrow and windy, and the nighttime semi traffic from the Caribbean coast the Pacific coast is usually heavy. Keep in mind that Costa Rica is a beautiful country – if you’re going to drive through this much area, you might as well see the sights and enjoy the drive during daylight hours!
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Entrance to Costa Rica requires a valid passport with a minimum of three months remaining before the expiration date. For more details and specifics, please visit the website of the Costa Rican Embassy is Washington D.C.
NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
For non-anglers, Costa Rica is one of the most activities-filled destinations in this part of the world. Aside from enjoying the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere of the Manzanillo area, other activities include jungle tours, canopy cable tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, dolphin tours, beachcombing and swimming in the crystal clear ocean waters. This is an area that Outside Magazine designated in 2000 as one of the top ten most beautiful, deserted beaches in the world.
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