Sailing in Costa Rica

Sail or fish? Often both

Costa Rica draws most of its boating visitors for the fishing, but a day under sail is one of the easiest ways to see the coast from the water, and a good choice for anyone in your group who'd rather not spend 8 hours staring at a spread of lures. Many anglers book a sail on a rest day. Some sailing catamarans troll a line on the way out, and the bays where the sailboats anchor are often the same rocky points where inshore crews hunt roosterfish.

For the sailor's view of the country, with every sailing tour and charter profiled, see our sister site Costa Rica Sailing. Here's the short version from a fishing traveler's point of view.

Where people sail

The Gulf of Papagayo. Guanacaste's big northern gulf, between Playas del Coco and the Papagayo Peninsula, is the busiest sailing area in the country. Catamarans leave from Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa, and Marina Papagayo on the peninsula is home to private yachts and sportfishing boats alike.

Flamingo and Tamarindo. Farther south, sunset sails leave from Playa Flamingo, Potrero and Tamarindo, often with a snorkel stop at a quiet cove or near the Catalina Islands.

The Gulf of Nicoya. This large, sheltered gulf is calmer than the open coast. Day trips to Tortuga Island, with white-sand beaches and snorkeling, leave from Puntarenas, Herradura, Jacó and the southern Nicoya shore.

Central Pacific. Los Sueños at Herradura and Marina Pez Vela in Quepos are 2 of the country's main marinas. Catamaran tours out of Quepos sail along Manuel Antonio's coast, and boat tours from Uvita visit Marino Ballena National Park, known for humpback whales in season.

The far south. Golfito sits on a deep, calm bay inside the Golfo Dulce and is a common first or last stop for yachts sailing between Costa Rica and Panama. Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula, is the base for boat trips to Isla del Caño.

The Caribbean. There's little sailing on the Caribbean side. The coast is mostly open beach with few safe anchorages, and the action there is snorkeling and boat tours around Cahuita and Manzanillo.

The wind and the seasons

The north has a wind season. From roughly November to March, strong offshore winds called the Papagayo winds funnel through gaps in the mountains and blow across the Gulf of Papagayo. They make for fast, exciting sailing close to shore, but they can also kick up rough seas out in the gulf and cancel trips to exposed spots.

The dry season, roughly December to April, brings the most sunshine across the Pacific side. The rainy season, May to November, usually means calm mornings, afternoon storms and fewer people. Farther south, the Gulf of Nicoya and the Golfo Dulce stay sheltered most of the year.

Kinds of trips

Half-day catamaran sails are by far the most common. They usually last 3 to 5 hours, include a snorkel stop and food and drinks, and often run at sunset. Group sizes vary a lot, from small private boats to big party cats, so ask how many people will be on board.

Private charters can be booked by the half day or full day, and some crews will mix in a bit of fishing or a longer run to islands.

Multi-day sailing is rarer. A few operators offer overnight or longer trips, and some sailing schools run courses, but most visitors stick to day sails.

Arriving on your own boat

Cruising yachts must clear in with immigration, customs and the port captain at an official port of entry before cruising the coast. Golfito, in the far south, is a common first stop for boats coming north from Panama, and its marinas can help with the paperwork. Rules and fees change, so check current requirements before you leave your last port.

Tips for anglers who want to sail

• Book the sail on a day when the offshore fishing is slow or the sea is up; sheltered bays are still pleasant.
• Ask whether the boat trolls a line. If it does, check that the crew has the right licenses and releases any sailfish or marlin.
• Bring a hat, a long-sleeve shirt and reef-safe sunscreen. Shade on a catamaran deck is limited.
• If snorkeling is part of the trip, our snorkeling guide covers the best spots.