parismina — parismina river mouth
Village with no road access at the Parismina bar, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, at the southern edge of Tortuguero National Park: tarpon and snook at the bar, in the channels and at sea.
Barra de Parismina is a village in Siquirres canton, on the north Caribbean coast, at the mouth of the Reventazón–Parismina system. It sits on the southern border of Tortuguero National Park and connects to it by canal or by sea. Tarpon is the bar's fish: it is fished from a launch at the river mouth and in the nearby sea, with jigs, heavy lures and natural bait, and also in the canals and lagoons when the sea closes. White snook and fat snook (calva) are in the surf and at the caño mouths, and jacks pass in schools. Freshwater canals hold guapote and machaca. The village lives on fishing and tourism, with small hotels and cabinas geared to adventure fishing and turtle protection work.
best season
Tarpon are in the area all year. The most-cited months run from January to May and from September to October, when the bar is usually calmer for heading out to sea.
Local rules: INCOPESCA sport fishing card for each angler. Just to the north begins Tortuguero National Park (SINAC), with 76,937 ha, of which 50,284 ha is marine and under absolute conservation; fishing is prohibited in national parks, including the park's canals. During the nesting season, do not use bright lights on the beach or disturb turtle nests. Release the tarpon. Confirm local rules.
- getting there
- No road access. From San José, drive to the Caño Blanco landing in Siquirres, then take a launch through the canals to the village; there is an airstrip for small planes.
- facilities
- Small hotels, cabinas and fishing lodges, guides with boats ready for the bar. Shopping is minimal: bring your own gear.
- country
- Limón, Costa Rica
tip
At the bar the sea breaks hard: only cross with a local pilot, wearing a life vest, and in calm seas. On a closed-bar day, fish for tarpon in the canals and lagoons.
Loading…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
what you can catch here
before you fish in Costa Rica
Every sport angler must carry the INCOPESCA sport fishing card (license), for nationals and foreigners alike. It can be obtained online on the INCOPESCA website or at regional offices. For boat fishing, the INCOPESCA table lists US$16.95 for 8 days, US$28.25 per month and US$56.50 per year (fees set in 2018, kept for 2025 by agreement AJDIP/296-2024, including tax). The annual card for shore or kayak fishing is for nationals and residents. Inside refuges and parks, inland-water fishing may also require a SINAC license.
- Marlins and sailfish: in sport fishing, catch and release in the water, according to INCOPESCA.
- In SINAC protected areas, the rules of each area's management plan apply (for example, at Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge fishing is only allowed with hook, rod or handline, and nets are prohibited).
- Anglers must observe minimum sizes, catch limits and closed seasons set by INCOPESCA.
The rules and closed seasons in the rest of the app are Brazilian. Outside Brazil, the regulations of the country and province apply: confirm with the official agency.
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.
- official ICT — Miniguía de Tortuguero y ParisminaParismina bar on the southern border of Tortuguero National Park, Siquirres canton, linked by canal or sea; hotels and cabinas geared to adventure fishing; Caño Blanco landing
- official SINAC — Parque Nacional Tortuguero76,937 ha, of which 50,284 ha marine, dedicated 100% to absolute conservation
- official ACTo/SINAC — Información turística Parque Nacional TortugueroFishing is prohibited inside Costa Rica's national parks
- official INCOPESCA — Pesca deportivaLicense required for nationals and foreigners, including boat-based anglers; marlin and sailfish catch and release, with the photo taken in the water