quepos — marina pez vela
Central Pacific marina in Costa Rica, base for an offshore fishing fleet targeting sailfish and marlin, next to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Marina Pez Vela is in Quepos, on the central Pacific coast, a few kilometers from Manuel Antonio. The fleet heads to deep water after sailfish and blue, black and striped marlin, trolling with teasers and natural baits. Mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna show up along the current lines and in patches of floating debris. There are day trips and overnight trips of 1 to 3 fishing days to more distant, less-fished spots. Near shore, rocks and islands produce roosterfish and Pacific dog snapper on poppers and live bait, and there is bottom fishing. The marina hosts tournaments through the season, from mahi-mahi in November to billfish between December and April.
best season
Sailfish and marlin are most productive from December to April, in the dry season, when the marina hosts the billfish tournaments. There is a mahi-mahi tournament in November and a tuna tournament in June.
Local rules: Every angler needs the INCOPESCA sport fishing card, bought online. Marlin and sailfish are catch and release, with the photo taken in the water. Manuel Antonio National Park, next to the marina, has marine habitats and islands, and fishing is prohibited there (SINAC). Confirm local rules.
- getting there
- Juan Santamaría International Airport, in Alajuela. Quepos is about 3 hours by car, via Route 27 and the Costanera; there are domestic flights to the local airstrip.
- facilities
- Marina with a charter fleet of 26 to over 40 feet, restaurants and shops; hotels in Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
- country
- Puntarenas, Costa Rica
tip
Use a circle hook and release the fish without taking it out of the water, alongside the boat. On a rough-sea day, swap the deep water for the coast and roosterfish on the rocks.
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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 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
- official INCOPESCA — Carnés (licença de pesca deportiva)Card types and fees
- official SINAC — Parque Nacional Manuel AntonioPark in Quepos canton, with marine habitats and islands; among the prohibitions: no fishing or hunting
- market Marina Pez Vela — FishingSailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi; billfish catch and release; trips of 1 to 3 days; boats of 26 to over 40 feet; 2026-2027 tournament calendar