Playa Flamingo

Why anglers like Flamingo

Playa Flamingo sits on a curve of pale sand on Guanacaste's north Pacific coast, a short drive up the coast from Tamarindo. It has been a fishing town for decades, and the reason is simple geography: deep blue water isn't far offshore, and the rocky points and small islands along the coast hold fish close in. That means you can choose between a long offshore day after billfish and a few hours inshore after roosterfish, both from the same beach.

It's also a quieter place to stay than Tamarindo. Flamingo is mostly hotels, rental homes and a handful of restaurants on the hill above the bay, which suits anglers who want an early night before a 7 a.m. start.

The marina is back

For years Flamingo's old marina sat closed, and boats worked off moorings and the beach. That changed in February 2023, when the new Marina Flamingo was officially opened. It's a modern facility built for visiting yachts and sportfishing boats, and Dockwalk lists it with 92 slips and plans to grow. Some charters now board at the marina docks, while others still pick up guests from the sand. Ask your crew where to meet; it can differ from boat to boat.

What you'll catch

Offshore, the main targets are Pacific sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo. FECOP, the Costa Rican sport fishing federation, puts the north Pacific's best offshore stretch at roughly May through December, which is the reverse of the Central Pacific, where billfish peak in the dry months.

Inshore, crews fish the rocks and islands for roosterfish, snapper, amberjack and jacks. FECOP says roosterfish can be caught all year on the Pacific side, so a half day inshore is a good option in any month.

A note on the wind: from about December to April, strong offshore winds can make mornings rough along this part of the coast. Crews deal with it by fishing in the lee of headlands or running farther to find calm water. If you're coming in those months, a longer trip gives the captain more options.

Who to fish with

Two long-running Flamingo charters on this site are still operating and were checked in November 2026:

• Yellowfin Sportfishing Charters, founded in 2002, has one of the bigger fleets in town, from small center consoles to 48-foot yachts, and includes transfers in the Flamingo and Tamarindo area.
• Bushwacker Sportfishing is a single 42-foot Bertram that boards on the beach at Playa Flamingo.

For a closer look at the fishing grounds and seasons, see our separate guide to sportfishing in Playa Flamingo. If you're staying farther south, Tamarindo's charters are about half an hour away.

The much more: days off the boat

Even keen anglers usually take a day or two off, and Flamingo makes that easy.

• Beaches. Playa Flamingo itself is generally calm and good for swimming. Playa Potrero, just north, is quieter still, and Brasilito and Playa Conchal are a few minutes south.
• Snorkeling and diving. Dive boats run from this stretch of coast to the Catalina Islands, a group of rocky islets offshore known for rays and reef fish.
• Sunset sails. Catamarans and sailboats run sunset trips along the coast, a relaxed outing for anyone in the group who doesn't fish.
• Tamarindo for the evening. If you want more choice of restaurants and nightlife, Tamarindo is close by road.

Many charter companies, Yellowfin included, can also book snorkeling, sailing, canopy and horseback trips, which keeps everything with one contact.

Getting there

Flamingo is reached by road. The nearest international airport is Liberia's Daniel Oduber Quirós, and the drive from there takes roughly an hour, depending on traffic. Most visitors rent a car or book a shuttle. Coming from San José, it's a long drive, so flying into Liberia saves a day.

Rules worth knowing

Costa Rican law requires sailfish, marlin and roosterfish to be released, and FECOP notes that billfish must stay in the water for photos. Circle hooks are required with bait, and every angler needs a fishing license. Some charters include it, many don't, so ask when you book.