Costa Rica advice

[ChuckD]

Thinking of making my belated honeymoon there. Would love to get some fishing(both inshore and offshore) in as well as maybe some golf. Don't want to break the bank but I hear the guides charge U.S. type rates(compared to Mexico) unless anyone knows otherwise. Love to hear your suggestions fellow Reeltimers.
Chuck

[CaptGeneKelly]

It doesn't have to be that expensive.
For some info on fishing in Costa Rica, check out http://www.tropicalfishing.com/costarica.html

[ChuckD]

sounds like U.S. rates to me. I may just head to Mexico.

[ChuckD]

if anyone has any ideas....thanks

[mmcke]

Hey Chuck.....Would you guys be interested in renting a house? Then you can do day trips as you want.I've rented quite a few homes in different locals from the web site VRBO vacation rentals over the past bunch of years and have done the do it yourself type of vaca. Just takes a little research.
Thanx,
Mark

[Vic T]

Chuck,

My wife and I spent a week on the Osa Peninsula last January where I had hoped to do some bluewater flyfishing. I brought my own gear, lots of flies that I had tied, and researched numerous guides and outfitters in the Golfo Dulce and Golfito areas. Prices for a day trip were $900 - $1,000 for the boat and crew, you bring your own lunch, plus they expect a tip. Needless to say, I was really disappointed and I never went out with those outfitters. Even if you had two guys flyfishing, those prices are quite prohibitive. The place is really geared to 4 or 5 guys who prefer trolling. Maybe a select few can afford to pay their rip-off rates to flyfish with just two anglers sharing a boat. I tried fishing with a local guy who as it turns out only uses bait and couldn't comprehend what flyfishing was about or why a crazy gringo fishes that way. It cost less than the regular outfitters, but it sure wasn't worth much either.

[ChuckD]

it seems like there has been collusion down there to keep rates at the same as U.S. rates. Probably the result of U.S. investors because it is still a third world country and there is no reason why a local fishing guide down there couldn't charge half of these rates and still make a great living given their economy. Anyway, I appreciate the color but Mexico is looking more and more likely(the rates are more than half Costa Rica and the fishing can be just as good). Maybe when I have 6-7 grand to throw around some day I'll give it a try(or do the Panama mother ship to Hannibal Bank!)
Thanks for the responses.

[PanamaJack]

Hi Chuck
I sense I'm going against the flow here, but here's my four penny-worth from this side of the 'Pond' for what it's worth.

Firstly some of the rates being quoted seem to be out of line from my experience which relates to the Golfito Sailfish Lodge. Certainly this year rates, based on two to a boat, worked out to just under 2400$US for a package including 3 days fishing. That rate does of course include the first night's hotel accommodation in San Jose (its capital) and the return airflight to Golfito. Were you to stay somewhere else though I believe the daily charter rate on a 29 footer centre console is 600$US.

The lodge, whilst not perhaps as up-market as Crocodile Bay, was of a very good standard and professionally run by a lady from Virginia - Betsy Bullard. Her husband, Abraham, is an excellent fly fisherman and all the captains and mates seemed well versed in fly fishing techniques and spoke at least a modicum of English.

Catch rates for Sails are not up to some of those numbers taken in Guatemala, but still we had up to 10 strikes a day on the fly. Prime time seems to run from January to May and, as well as the Sails, you'll encounter big Dorado offshore at that time of year. And some of our Club members have even taken small Blues on the fly from the lodge.

Inshore there are of course Roosterfish to target, with Snook in the Gulf itself. And very occasional, and I must stress the VERY Tarpon - Megalops atlanticus. And remember you're in the Pacific.

We hooked up several whilst livebaiting for Roosters off Isla Coiba (Panama) and, whilst I was in Golfito, I quizzed Abraham about Tarpon there. He was insistent they didn't exist until two of his clients caught small ones a few weeks later.

(It's another story but an American guide I fish with out of Panama City - Panama, not Florida - has had Tarpon up to 270lbs from the Bayno River on that Pacific coastline.)

Just back to the intimation that it's a bit of a rip-off price -wise. That may well be the case, but you try and get a booking for the last week in February at either Golfito or Crocodile Bay. You might be disappointed.

And finally whilst Isla Coiba, and the Hannibal Bank, are superb fishing, albeit a tad expensive, if you're with your wife, and particularly for a belated honeymoon, Tropic Star Lodge might be worth considering.
Kindest regards
Dave

[Capt. John]

There are places and great outfitters to fish in Panama that are between $2,200-$3,000 for 5 days fishing all inclusive packages. For some reason it seems everyone wants to fish Costa rica?? In my personal opinion Panama makes CR look like a second rate fishery for everything but sailfish, and much safer to travel around. There are also second rate outfitters to avoid in Panama as well who are not very professional....

[ChuckD]

My guess would be political instability(and leftover fear of it/association with it). I am not opposed to Panama. But as you say $2200-$3000 for 5 days of fishing is $440-$600/day, which to me sounds like U.S. rates. When I fished in Mexico I was able to fish for $200/day offshore and much less inshore. Granted I realize the fishing IS better, but it can be damned good in Mexico and I am not convinced it is worth 3X the money to fish Panama when you could have a similar experience in Mexico. I just don't understand how these prices are so inflated as the value of the U.S. dollar down there must be still strong(though maybe not as strong as versus the peso)

[Capt. John]

I agree it's probably the left over "stigma" with the name Panama from years ago. I would walk the streets in Panama city any night of the week with no fears, America and alot of other countries have a strong interest there -the CANAL so it's important for the place to be stable, I know many americans whi have moved there! When you talk $400-$600/day you are talking ALL INCLUSIVE prices- from fishing,Airport transport to lodging, meals and even some include BEER. I have yet to find a better fishery anywhere for many species and you can fish all day without seeing another boat....that wins my vote every tiime.