Marina Pez Vela

The main charter dock on the Central Pacific

If you book a fishing trip anywhere around Quepos or Manuel Antonio, there's a good chance you'll board at Marina Pez Vela. The marina sits right on the Quepos waterfront, inside a basin protected by a stone breakwater, with a commercial plaza of restaurants and shops on the shore side. Most mornings start the same way: crews loading ice and bait, anglers with coffee on the dock, and boats easing out past the breakwater at first light.

Quepos has long been one of Costa Rica's busiest sportfishing towns, and the marina has turned it into a tournament hub too.

Booking a boat

The marina runs a charter desk, open every day from 7 am to 8 pm, that books inshore, offshore and fly fishing trips. You can choose half, 3/4 or full days and pick a boat size: 26 to 31 feet, 32 to 38 feet, or 40 feet and up. The desk answers by phone or WhatsApp on +506 2774 9006, or by email at tours@marinapezvela.com. Many independent charter crews are based here as well, and our charters section lists several of them.

Offshore, Quepos crews fish for sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna and dorado. Inshore, they work the rocky points and reefs along the coast for roosterfish, snapper and jacks. Sailfish and marlin are released by Costa Rican law, and you'll need a fishing license, which your crew can usually arrange.

Tournaments

Marina Pez Vela's calendar runs most of the year. The 2026 to 2027 list on its site includes the Dorado Derby and Dorado Derby Dos in November, the Marlin Invitational in December, the Rock Star Offshore Tournament in January, the Rooster Rodeo, the Flor de Caña Signature Open and the Pescadora Billfish Championship in February, the Sailfish Slam and the IGFA Open in March, then Bisbee's Costa Rica Offshore Tournament and the Offshore World Championship in April, and Tuna Thunder in June.

Bisbee's is a newer addition. The marina says its first edition in April 2026 was the series' first event outside Cabo San Lucas in its 44-year history, and its first all-release billfish tournament. Dates change from year to year, so check the tournaments page before you plan a trip around one.

Fuel, slips and the yard

For boat owners, the marina lists about 250 wet slips on floating concrete docks, for boats up to 200 feet, with a safe operating depth of 14 feet. There's a dry rack for 40 boats up to 38 feet, served by a forklift. The fuel station sells polished fuel, and the slips have power, pump-out, fiber internet and 24-hour security. The yacht yard has a 200-ton travel lift. The marina monitors VHF channel 69 and helps visiting boats with Costa Rica's entry requirements.

Around the marina

The plaza has places to eat and drink, which helps when the boats come in. Quepos town is a short walk away, and Manuel Antonio National Park, with its beaches and monkeys, is a short drive up the hill, so non-fishing days are easy to fill.

For other big Pacific marinas, see Los Sueños farther north near Jacó and Marina Papagayo in Guanacaste. Our sister site costaricasailing.net covers the marina from a sailor's side.