The Gulf of Papagayo in Costa Rica is well known for excellent fishing. You can find mahi mahi, jack, wahoo and many other types of fish even just a couple kilometers from shore.
You can go inshore or offshore fishing but I recently got into kayak fishing. It’s great exercise, a fun way to spend some time with friends and even though you can’t go as far, you still catch some good sized fish.
Kayak Fishing in Playas del Coco
After watching some kayak fishing videos I was ready to go for the first time, so I started to look for a “tutor” that will teach me where the good spots are and the techniques of kayak fishing. Luckily I was introduced to Diego, one of the locals who has been fishing in Playas del Coco since he was a kid and back when Coco was a small fishing village.
He loves to take his kayak and bring some fish home and goes at any chance he gets. He’s been kayak fishing for years in the Gulf so he knew all the good places to go and all the secrets to kayak fishing. So here are some important facts to know if you want to do some kayak fishing in Playas del Coco.
Where to get a kayak?
In Coco there are some places where you can rent a kayak on the beach. One good option is to go to “Cafe de Playa” located in front of the beach by Pelican entrance. Most of the people knows where it is and they are really nice and you can rent out their kayaks.
Where to get fishing equipment?
If you didn’t bring your equipment or don’t have your own equipment, there are a couple fishing stores in town, such as the one next to the Super Luperon. That one is the biggest and has all of the fishing equipment.
There is another place on the road to Playa Ocotal called the Jobo that also sells fishing equipment and bait.
You can also buy fishing gear at the supermarkets in Coco, they aren’t the best but they do sell some basic poles, nets and things like that.
Where to go?
The best spot Diego taught me was behind the Pelonas Island. It might take you 20 to 30 minutes paddling, and what you need to look for is “Bajo la sorpresa.”
This spot is right behind the big Pelona (there are 2), as soon as you see a wooden cross you will know that you are in the right spot. To be right in front of it, paddle about 40 to 50 feet.
Kayak fishing has definitely become on one of my favorite activities in Costa Rica. I work out, clean my mind and I bring dinner home! It is a must do for fishing lovers visiting Costa Rica.
Here is a video of my very first catch. See what it’s like to go kayak fishing in Playas del Coco!
Eric Bender says
I am coming to playas del coco in about two weeks. I am going to scuba and try surf fishing. My question is how heavy of a pole and line would you recommend? I plan to bring my own. Special hooks?
Sammi says
Hi Eric, to be honest I am not sure. I recommend going to Coco’s Fishing Supply, the main fishing store in town to check.
Jonathan Nguyen says
Hi
I am jonathan Nguyen, we are planning a trip to costa rica at the end of december through second week of January 2018. We are big on kayak fishing, but , never been to Costa Rica. We are planning to stay 1 week in central pacific and 1 week in south pacific of Costa Rica. Any suggestions would be very helpful for us, like places to stay, rent kayak, places to fish in shore etc… We are from Boston area, never caught rooster fish, and yellow fin tuna, and welcome any advice. Thank you so much
Sammi says
Hi Jonathan, in the Central Pacific, you can go sport fishing out of Playa Herradura. They have a big marina there with lots of sport fishing boats. In the South Pacific, Drake Bay is a great place to go sport fishing. I am not sure about kayak fishing though, you may need to ask the fishing companies if they can also rent kayaks as well.
Jim Riley says
Greetings,
Great blog. I am coming down next month and waned to see if you had a contact for kayak fishing. I will be staying in Papagayo and Playa Conchal. Any help would be outstanding. Thanks, Jim
yeison says
Hello Jim, when you are in Coco go to this store “Cocos fishing supply” the owner’s name is Carlos Barrera and he knows a lot of excellent kayak fishers they might help you to put a trip together. “Diego” is the best in the area.
This store is located next to a supermarket call “Luperon” they also sell Yamaha bikes and engines.
Betty & Jim Stafford says
We are enjoying all your helpful information that you send to us.We will be in Coco for Feb./16 & look forward to a new experience.
Great info on bug repellant, will be sure to bring some.
Are the sailing day trips very expensive?We are retired & on a limited budget, but would like to do and see a lot.If we are lucky we may get to meet you both.
Please keep sending us very helpful information, thanks, Betty & Jim Stafford.SEE YOU SOON!
Sammi says
Hi Betty and Jim! Glad to hear the information is helpful!! Sailing trips are a bit on the expensive side but there are many options. There are half day morning and evening trips and depending which company you go with, they run around $70 which usually includes snorkel gear, beverages and snacks. There is one company that runs only in dry season on Thursdays called Arroyo Adventures that isn’t a catamaran but it’s $40 for a morning half day including snacks, drinks and use of snorkel/kayak.
We don’t know where we’ll be in Feb 2016 but if we’re in Coco we’d love to meet! Thanks for reading and happy travels!!
ron smiley says
hi I like your site I plan on fishing there soon my shoulders are sore are there leg powerd kayak s for rent ? how much$ how do I contact some one to get me started I love to fish but I don’t love computers I was wondering what a fela does with his catch I love to eat fish cooked or raw what fish do ticos target for the table thank this is my first conversation on a website
yeison says
Hi Ron,
I am glad you like the site :).
As soon as you are in Playas del Coco go to a place call Coco’s Fishing Supply the owner’s name is Carlos, he can help you to find a guide and a Kayak. I used to go Kayak fishing with his cousins.
We like to catch mahi mahi, wahoo and snappers.
Have a great trip
Dana @ Wanted Adventure says
I grew up going out fishing with my dad for years, but I’d never even heard of kayak fishing! Although, those boats are a little bigger than what I picture in my head when I hear the word “kayak” lol Love your blog! Keep up the great work 😀
Sammi says
You would really enjoy it I think! It’s a bit harder because you don’t have a lot of room to move around haha but it’s a really fun experience. Thanks Dana!!
Gary (Yakmando) says
Hi, I moved here from San Diego and live about 2 kilometers from the RIU in Playa Matapalo, not far from Playa Coco. Costa Rica is a wonderful country with great people. I have become good friends with many Ticos who would do anything for you if they can. People who are complete strangers that will invite you into their homes. It took a while to get used to living where there wasn’t a McDonalds and a 7/11 on every corner but I wouldn’t live anywhere else now. This area of Costa Rica, specifically the Nicoya Peninsula not far from me, is considered a ‘Blue Zone’. There are only five Blue Zones in the entire world where people have a ten times greater opportunity to live to 90 and 100 years old. Costa Rica IS Pura Vida.
Sammi says
Absolutely agreed! Pura vida!
Michael Orobona says
I love kayaking and fishing, but I’ve never done them together. I’d think it would kill my back sitting still like that though. I almost HAVE to move in a kayak.
Sammi says
It´s so fun! DOes your kayak have seats? It helps so much!
Jason says
I just started kayak fishing here on the Texas gulf coast. It is a blast!
I might be moving my family down there, though it will be about 3 years from now. I have lots of family in Heredia and Atenas. It’s going to be a shock to the system as I left CR when I was 4 and have been in the US ever since, with really relatively little Latin American influence except my childhood meals : \
One concern is I love to hunt and fish, and Costa Rica is very different. Probably I’ll have to give up hunting unless I want to head up to Nicaragua every now and then, which our budget probably won’t allow. BUT, it looks like the fishing opportunities are there. I wonder, does fishing tackle cost a lot down there? I was thinking of maybe bringing some lures and stuff each time I come down, and maybe leaving them at a relative’s house.
Also, is “Yeison” really his name? I’m Jason, but of course my CR relatives pronounce it Yeison : D I’ve known a lot of Mexicans here in TX, and somehow my name comes out of many of their mouths as “YACK-son”. Haha! Anyway, hope to see Yeison out on the water sometime. Right now I fish in lakes, rivers, and protected bays. Looks like I’m going to have to stretch my comfort level and learn some BTB (beyond the breakers) kayak fishing, in preparation for some of that deep-water Pacific fishing.
Kayak fishermen here often meet up so it’s not just one person on the water. When a handful get together we call it a Plastic Flotilla. Maybe Coco needs a plastic flotilla : )
Love your site!
yeison says
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your nice comment !
Yes they are HUGE differences between Costa Rica adn the US, but don’t worry you have it in your blood. You are right about hunting it will be better if you go to Nicaragua where is allow or maybe you can focus 100% on your fishing :), In regards to prices are relative I will say that it cost maybe 20 to 30 % more if you compare the prices on Amazon and the local fishing store we have, but if it is not difficult bring your lures and toys.
My name sounds like “jason” my dad is corean and my mom is a tica, so he did the best he could when he wrote my name on my birth certificate. I kind of like !
I like the plastic flotilla maybe when you moved you can be our new president of la flotilla plástica, I went fishing today and the ocean was as clear as an aquarium. I spend more time snorkeling than fishing the visibility was awesome.
Thanks again for your comment and yes I hope to see you around take care and if you need anything from us please let us know and don’t forget to subscribe to our blog.
Pura vida Mae
Nick says
About once a year I make it down to Costa Rica and fishing is always at the top of my list of things to do. We go kayak fishing out of Playa Hermosa and I think the place you are describing is on the back side of the islands between Coco and Hermosa. The past few years I have gone north towards Panama and have had some success but it has been hit or miss. This year I will try going south towards Coco and see if I have more luck. About 5 years ago I caught a 50lb Rooster off the beach where the Riu is now located. What a fight!
Email me if you are intersted in connecting to fish when I am down there in June.
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey says
I like fishing, and I like Kayaking. But this sounds like too much work for me. Do they make kayaks with a side cart so I can be dragged along?
Sammi says
haha I’m sure they can invent one like the sidecar! I wish they did actually so then I could go along because it’s a bit much work for me too.
Marie-Carmen says
Kayak fishing? That sounds awesome! Damn we gonna have to come and try it out one day!
Sammi says
yeison loves it! I haven’t tried yet but it’s one of his favorite things to do here.
Sharon @ Where's Sharon? says
That looks like awesome fun. Love your pics!! 🙂
Constance - Foreign Sanctuary says
Awesome! I have been fishing in a boat before but never in a kayak! I would love to try it sometime!!
yeison says
Is way different compare to fish in a big boat you are closer to the ocean, and you are the engine.
A Southern Gypsy says
I love kayaking and fishing and really have been wanting to combine the two. My brother does this a lot back here in Tennessee…I think I’ll make it a priority this summer! Great post guys 🙂
yeison says
Thanks, and yes go for it is very fun !
A Brit and A Southerner says
I don’t generally go kayaking or fishing so whenever I started reading this I was a little skeptical that my interest level wouldn’t be very high! However, after reading your post this certainly would encourage even folks like myself that are not expert at either aspect but I would love to try it out for the experience.
Great post as always guys!
yeison says
You should try it, is a unique experience.
Syd says
I’ve always thought fishing would be too slow for me, but I think I would like it in a kayak. I love kayaking–it’s such a great upper body workout. Always kills my shoulders! Great application for the gopro too, haha.
yeison says
You work out a lot, and is not like normal fishing, you really feel that you are in contant with the ocean. You should try it out.
frankaboutcroatia says
Didn’t even know about kayak fishing. Sounds great. Ecological too. Go Pro did a job of capturing the fun, but kudos to you for catching the fish (ok, and a little bit to Diego for showing you the best spot to fish 🙂
yeison says
Yes, is a fishing rule at the beginning you need a local to teach you.
Greg says
I love this article! I have not been fishing since we moved here and we are closer to coffee farms than the beach but this post has fired me up. The GoPro did a great job of capturing the fun – nice editing. Question – the kayak dolly you use – how do you secure it while you are off having fun?
yeison says
I have a bike lock, that I use to lock the kayak dolly to a tree. Playas del coco is very safe in general but just in case I prefer to use it.
Frank says
Very impressed your youtube video.
I should have done like you. I have never been to costa rica. Is it good place for kayak fishing?
yeison says
Hi frank, yes Costa Rica is well know for good fishing, hopefully you can come here and do some fishing, let us know when you come around
sean kellogg says
I found your site by accident. I will be there jan 23 – feb 1 . I would love to go fishing with you . I am from great falls Montana look it up . we have some of the best trout fishing in the world I fish all the time . I will be traveling with my mom she is 70 years old and will not be fishing with me . do you have any connections or recommendations for a condo for my dates . also I would like information on kayak rental and where to go. want to catch lots of fish do you now any locals to fish with ? I would love to share costs or pay for fuel. I just want to fish affordable. looking forward to hearing from you skellogg43@yahoo.com
yeison says
Hi Sean ! nothing happends by accident for sure we will catch a huge fish hehehe .. I will send you an email 🙂 thanks for stoping by
Carmella says
We are coming down in June and def wat to rent a rod (we will bring our reels) and surfcast!!! Hopefully we can meet
Sammi says
Awesome! Let us know when you’re here! 🙂
Dusty says
Why did you buy a “sit on” instead of a “sit in”? Was because you intended to use it on open water as well? I have been thinking about a kayak for a while and although I don’t fish, you have got me thinking about it again.
Sammi says
I think mostly because we were going out in open water and it’s easier for Yeison to do fishing since he has a lot more room to just put stuff on top… it’s been great so far! Kayaking is super fun, great exercise 🙂 I don’t fish personally but Yeison loves it haha
Dusty says
Even if you don’t fish, it is great that you can do it together. Plus is motivates all us land lubbers to get our feet wet.
Sammi says
True true! 🙂
Alex says
Thanks for a nice ride. What a great shot you had. You didn’t have to wait that long to catch a fish… lucky.
yeison says
Hi Alex ! Normally fishing is very good, I have been 3 times by now at the same sport, and usually it takes from 10 to 20 minutes … poppers work very well here 🙂
Have a great day !