Los Sueños Fishing Charter Prices: What to Budget in 2026

Every year, anglers fly into San José, drive an hour to the Central Pacific coast, and walk onto a dock that’s produced more trophy catches than almost anywhere else in the Americas. Los Sueños fishing charter prices reflect that reputation. This isn’t a budget destination, but they also reflect a level of quality and consistency that makes the trip worth every dollar.

If you’re asking what a sport fishing charter out of Los Sueños costs in 2026, the honest answer is: $825 to $4,000+, depending on what you want. That’s a wide range. This guide breaks it down by trip type, boat size, and what you actually get, so you can figure out which option fits your group before you book.

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Why Los Sueños?

Los Sueños Marina sits inside Herradura Bay, about 10 minutes north of Jacó. It’s the largest and best-equipped sportfishing marina on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast: full-service fuel docks, tournament-grade boats, bilingual captains who’ve been running these waters for decades, and a fleet that’s continuously maintained and upgraded to tournament standards.

The fishing itself is the reason people come back. Within 20 to 30 miles offshore, there are blue marlin and black marlin. Sailfish school up in numbers that would be hard to believe if you hadn’t seen the photos. Yellowfin tuna are common in the 20 to 100-pound range, with trophy fish regularly hitting 200 to 300 pounds or more in the right season. Closer to shore, roosterfish patrol the rocky points — one of the most dramatic inshore species anywhere in the world, and a fish you’re far more likely to land here than almost anywhere else.

The marina’s infrastructure is a big part of why the fishing is so good. When you can get to the offshore grounds quickly and efficiently, you spend more time fishing and less time in transit.

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Half-Day vs. Full-Day: What’s the Difference

This is the first decision you’ll make, and it matters more than boat size.

Half-Day Inshore (4-5 hours)

Half-day charters run roughly 7:00 AM to noon, or occasionally an afternoon shift from 12:30 to 4:30 PM. These trips stay inshore, meaning within a few miles of the coast, and target roosterfish, snapper, grouper, jack crevalle, and sometimes smaller tuna near the surface.

2026 pricing (pre-tax):

• Smaller boats (27-31 ft, up to 4-5 anglers): $825 – $1,100
• Offshore half-day, 35 ft Cabo Express (up to 6 anglers, May–November only): $1,900

Half-day is the right call if you’re a first-timer who wants to test the waters without committing to a full day, if you have kids in the group who might lose patience, or if offshore fishing genuinely doesn’t interest you and you’d rather focus on roosterfish. It’s also the cheaper option, for obvious reasons.

The tradeoff: you can’t reach the offshore grounds in a half-day. If you’re dreaming of marlin or sailfish, you need the full day.

Full-Day Offshore (8-9 hours)

Full-day trips depart at 7:00 AM and run until roughly 3:30 to 4:00 PM. Most of that time is spent offshore, targeting sailfish, marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi (locally called dorado). You’ll typically run 20 to 40 miles out depending on where the fish are holding.

2026 pricing (pre-tax), from boats currently operating at Los Sueños Marina:

• 27-31 ft boats (up to 4-5 anglers): $1,150 – $1,550
• 35 ft Cabo Express (up to 6): $2,400
• 42-43 ft Maverick or Viking (up to 6-7): $2,850 – $2,920
• 47-50 ft sportfish (up to 7-8): $3,200 – $3,600
• 50-52 ft luxury sportfishers (up to 8-12): $3,500 – $4,000

All prices exclude Costa Rica’s 13% IVA tax. Add that before you budget.

A three-quarter day (6-7 hours) is offered by some operators as a middle option, typically $1,200 to $1,500, and can reach offshore grounds if conditions are good. Ask the captain directly whether offshore is feasible on a 3/4-day trip before booking.

What About Jacó Departures?

Jacó Beach is a 10-minute drive from Los Sueños Marina, and several smaller operators launch from the beach or from the Jacó pier rather than the marina. You can often save 10 to 25 percent compared to equivalent boats inside Los Sueños. The tradeoff is that the infrastructure isn’t the same: the boats tend to be smaller, and the launch point adds time to reach offshore grounds.

If offshore billfishing is the goal, Los Sueños Marina is worth the premium. For inshore or nearshore trips, Jacó departures are a reasonable option.

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What’s Included in the Price

Most Los Sueños charter prices include the following, though confirm when booking:

Always included:

• Professional bilingual captain and one deckhand/mate
• All fishing tackle, rods, reels, and rigging
• Fresh and artificial bait
• Ice for keeping fish (if you’re keeping any)

Included on full-day trips:

• Full lunch, usually sandwiches, rice, beans, and fresh fruit prepared on board
• Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day

Included on half-day trips:

• Snacks and cold drinks (non-alcoholic)

Usually NOT included:

• 13% IVA tax (adds roughly $200-$400 on a mid-range charter)
• Crew tip (15-20% is customary and genuinely expected; if your crew worked hard, tip well)
• Beer and alcohol (bring your own or ask in advance)
• Costa Rica fishing license

A Note on the Fishing License

Costa Rica requires all anglers aboard charter boats to have a valid fishing license issued by INCOPESCA. The cost is approximately $15–17 per person for an 8-day tourist license ($30 for a monthly license; $50 for an annual one). Some operators include this in the charter price; others charge it separately. Ask before you book. It’s a small detail that’s easy to overlook and can cause headaches at the dock.

Catch and Release vs. Keeping Fish

Most marlin and sailfish fishing at Los Sueños is catch and release. It’s not a legal requirement for all species, but the conservation culture here is strong, and most captains run their trips that way for billfish. You’ll get photos with the fish at the side of the boat and then watch it swim off.

For tuna, dorado, and roosterfish, keeping fish is common. The marina has a cleaning station. If you want your catch processed and vacuum-sealed to take home or to your rental, that’s available for an additional fee at the dock.

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Operators Worth Knowing

Maverick Sportfish is one of the most established names at Los Sueños. They build their own custom cold-molded sportfishing yachts on site at the marina, which tells you something about how seriously they take the operation. Their custom-built fleet runs 36 to 50 feet, with air-conditioned salons and tournament-tested crews. Our concierge team recommends them for serious anglers and groups who want the best equipment on the water. Full-day rates start around $1,800+ for smaller vessels and reach $4,000 for their 50-foot flagship boats.

Los Sueños Fishing Charters CR runs a fleet of 36- to 52-foot luxury yachts from the marina with bilingual captains and full provisioning on all charters. They’re well-regarded for peak billfishing (December through May) and offer vacation packages that combine accommodations with fishing, if you want everything handled in one booking.

JacoVIP is a concierge booking service that works with a vetted group of captains at Los Sueños Marina. Rather than owning boats themselves, they match groups with the right captain based on target species, group size, and budget. Their Los Sueños Marina fleet runs from around $1,500 for smaller sportfishers to $3,500 for their largest luxury boats, with most mid-size options in the $2,100–$3,200 range. They’re a practical option if you’re already using them for other trip planning.

StayInCostaRica maintains a full fleet directory for Los Sueños with published rates, a useful comparison tool even if you end up booking elsewhere.

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Best Time to Fish Los Sueños

The short answer: there’s never a bad month to fish here. The longer answer is that different months are better for different species.

December through April (Dry Season / Peak) The dry season brings the most consistent weather and the best sailfish action of the year. Calm seas, clear water, and high concentrations of Pacific sailfish make this the peak period. It’s also the busiest time of year on the water, so boats fill up early. If you’re traveling during this window, book your charter well in advance: 2 to 4 weeks ahead is smart, longer around the holidays.

May through August (Green Season Transition) As the rains begin, the offshore conditions stay fishable. Blue marlin fishing peaks June through August, coinciding with the FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) season offshore. Black marlin follow a slightly different pattern: August through October is their prime window. Yellowfin tuna are excellent during these months too. Fewer boats on the water means easier availability.

September through November The rainiest months, but still fishable, especially in the mornings before afternoon squalls build. September and October are considered two of the best months for dorado (mahi-mahi). Inshore fishing for roosterfish stays consistent year-round, and this period offers strong action with fewer crowds and occasionally lower charter rates.

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First-Timer Tips: What to Bring

You’re paying $1,500 to $4,000+ for a day on the water. Don’t undermine it by showing up wrong.

What to pack:

• Polarized sunglasses (non-negotiable — both for fishing and sun protection)
• High-SPF sunscreen, applied before you board; the sun at sea reflects off the water
• Light long-sleeve sun shirt; a t-shirt looks fine until you’ve been out for 3 hours
• Closed-toe shoes with rubber soles (boat decks get slippery)
• Seasickness medication if you’re sensitive to motion — take it the night before, not the morning of
• A dry bag or waterproof case for your phone
• Small amount of cash in USD or colones for tip and dock fees
• A light jacket for the ride back if you run late in the afternoon

What NOT to bring:

• Heavy luggage or multiple bags; there’s minimal storage on a sport fishing boat
• Strong perfume or cologne; it can make seasickness worse for others
• Dark-colored clothing that absorbs heat if you’re prone to overheating

The crew will handle everything else. Your only job is to hold the rod when they hand it to you.

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Book Through Nest Stays Concierge

If you’re staying in one of our Los Sueños or Jacó properties, booking your fishing charter through our concierge is the easiest way to do it. We know which captains are producing, which boats are in top condition, and how to coordinate timing so your fishing day slots cleanly into the rest of your trip.

We can arrange half-day and full-day offshore and inshore charters, coordinate your 5:30 AM pickup from the property, and handle the back-and-forth with the operator so you don’t have to manage WhatsApp messages across time zones.

Fishing is one of the main reasons people come to this part of Costa Rica. Our guests who plan ahead get on the water with the right crew. Those who wait until they arrive often find the best boats already booked.

Reach out before your trip and we’ll sort it out.

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Quick Reference: 2026 Price Summary

Trip Type	Boat Size	Anglers	Approx. Price (+ 13% tax)
Half-Day Inshore	27-31 ft	4-5	$825 – $1,100
Half-Day Offshore (May–Nov only)	35 ft Cabo Express	6	$1,900
Full-Day Offshore	27-31 ft	4-5	$1,150 – $1,550
Full-Day Offshore	35 ft	6	$2,400
Full-Day Offshore	42-43 ft	6-7	$2,850 – $2,920
Full-Day Offshore	47-50 ft	7-8	$3,200 – $3,600
Full-Day Offshore	50-52 ft	8-12	$3,500 – $4,000

Prices are per boat, not per person. Crew tip (15-20%) and fishing licenses (~$15–17/person for an 8-day license) are additional.

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Planning a trip to Los Sueños or Jacó? Explore our vacation rentals at Los Sueños and activities guide for the Central Pacific.