On the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, just miles from the Panama border, this stretch of coastline — from Cahuita through Puerto Viejo down to Manzanillo — is a day-trip fishery for anglers who want to explore a different part of the country. Palm-lined beaches, a living coral reef, jungle-fringed lagoons, and a shot at tarpon, Jack Crevalle, and freshwater species like guapote and mojarra, all in a much less-fished corner of Costa Rica than our main destinations.
Ask us about a day on the water in Manzanillo.
Manzanillo sits inside the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where lowland rainforest, mangrove wetlands, and a living coral reef come together in one of the most biodiverse corners of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Howler and white-faced monkeys move through the canopy behind the beach, and the reef just offshore — rare on this stretch of coastline — adds a layer few other Costa Rican fisheries can offer: you can be fighting a fish in the morning and snorkeling over coral by afternoon.
This trip works well for anglers already staying anywhere along this coastal corridor — Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, or Manzanillo itself — since all three towns sit within a short drive of the fishing grounds.
Unlike the remote river systems further north, Manzanillo fishes river mouths, nearshore structure, and open beach — a mix that rewards anglers who enjoy variety over a single relentless target.
Manzanillo doesn’t see the volume of tarpon that our northern Caribbean destinations do, and conditions can vary trip to trip. We offer this as a day trip for anglers already exploring the area or looking to add a different fishing experience to their visit — not as our primary tarpon destination. See our top tarpon fisheries →
Tarpon pass through this stretch of coast, though in lower numbers than our northern Caribbean fisheries. Some days produce shots at fish, others don’t — we’ll always be upfront about what we’re seeing before you book.
Generally the more reliable target on this stretch of coast — aggressive and hard-fighting on the fly.
Snook hold in the river mouths and mangrove edges. On calm days, other species have been spotted working the beach flats
Explore our Barra del Colorado tarpon trips
Beyond the beach and reef, the jungle-fringed lagoons behind Manzanillo offer a completely different day of fishing. Working the mangrove edges and quiet backwaters, we target guapote (rainbow bass) and mojarra — both aggressive, topwater-friendly species that make for a technical, close-quarters style of fishing far removed from open-water tarpon and jacks.
A hard-hitting predator that holds along structure and mangrove roots — poppers and streamers both work well here
Aggressive surface feeders, great for anglers who enjoy visual, topwater strikes in calmer
Lagoon fishing is a good option to pair with a beach morning, or as a standalone half-day for anglers who prefer calmer
On the Caribbean coast generally, tarpon activity tends to pick up January through May and again September through early November, when seas flatten. In Manzanillo specifically, conditions vary more than at our primary destinations — ask us about current activity before booking your dates.
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This is a day trip only, covering beach, reef, and lagoon fishing around Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Manzanillo, rather than remote inland river systems. Tarpon numbers here run lower and less predictable than at our main destination, Barra del Colorado, so we recommend this trip for anglers already in the area or looking to add variety — like a lagoon session for guapote and mojarra — to their visit, rather than as a primary tarpon destination.
| By air | SANSA flight SJO → Limón (LIO), ~45 min, then ~1–1.5 hr transfer south to Manzanillo |
| By road | ~4–5 hour drive from SJO via Limón, Cahuita & Puerto Viejo |
| Nearby towns | Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Manzanillo |
Yes, required by Costa Rican law for saltwater fishing.
Tarpon are always returned to the water. Unlike tarpon, some fishermen choose to keep a jack, and the guide can help you get it prepared at a local restaurant.
You don’t need years of experience, but since this is technical fly fishing, having a solid cast and a clean presentation will definitely up your game. Don't worry, though—you’re not alone out there. Your guide will be right by your side, coaching you like a pro to sharpen your skills and help you land that Silver King
Absolutely. We also provide all necessary equipment at no extra cost if you'd rather travel light.
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