Costa Rica doesn’t have an off-season — not really. The Gulf of Papagayo produces world-class fishing twelve months a year. But the mix of species shifts with the seasons, and knowing what’s running when is the difference between a great trip and an unforgettable one.
Here’s how the year breaks down from the water’s edge in Guanacaste.
January – March: Sailfish at Their Peak
These are the months the locals wait for. The dry season brings consistent trade winds, flat swells, and cool, clear water pushed down from the north. Sailfish stack up in numbers you won’t find anywhere else — it’s common to raise a dozen fish in a single morning. Blue marlin are actively feeding too, especially in February and March as water temps begin to rise. If a billfish slam is on your bucket list, book now.
Best species: Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Roosterfish
Conditions: Calm seas, excellent visibility, light winds by afternoon
April – May: Transition Season (and Trophy Marlin)
April marks the shift between dry and green season. The trade winds ease, water temps climb, and the offshore action transitions to bigger game. Blue marlin reach peak density in May — this is when the record books get rewritten. Yellowfin tuna schools move in from the Pacific, and dorado appear in force. Sailfish are still around but less concentrated than peak season.
Best species: Blue Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna
Conditions: Warming water, occasional afternoon showers, productive offshore
June – September: Tuna Season and Dorado Runs
The green season (aka rainy season) gets a bad reputation from tourists who’ve never been here. From a fishing standpoint, it’s exceptional. Morning conditions are typically calm. Rain usually falls in the afternoon, long after you’re back at the dock. Yellowfin tuna school in massive numbers through the summer months. Dorado peak in July and August, often in huge pods around floating debris lines. Wahoo come into range more frequently this time of year.
If you don’t mind some afternoon rain, the green season is some of the best fishing of the year — with fewer boats on the water and lower resort rates.
Best species: Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Wahoo
Conditions: Calm mornings, afternoon rain showers, baitfish-rich water
October – November: The Big Push
October and November are transition months that can produce spectacular mixed-bag days. Blue marlin linger from summer. Sailfish start showing up in advance of their peak season. Yellowfin tuna are still abundant. It’s common to land four or five species in a single outing during this window — the inshore and offshore grounds are both productive simultaneously.
Best species: Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Roosterfish
Conditions: Variable — some rough days, some glass-calm days
December: Holiday Fishing
December transitions back into dry season. Sailfish numbers start building again, and the holiday crowds haven’t yet figured out that fishing this month is excellent. Water clarity improves, seas flatten, and the bite picks up ahead of the January peak. One of the most underrated months to book.
Best species: Sailfish, Roosterfish, Snapper
Conditions: Improving daily, early dry-season feel by late December
The Short Answer
If you can only come once and want the absolute best shot at a billfish slam, come between January and March. If tuna and dorado are your priority, June through August is your window. Any other month will still produce excellent fishing — Papagayo is that productive.
Questions about timing? Get in touch and our captains will match you with the right trip for the time of year you’re visiting.