Fishing the Southern Nicoya Peninsula
Montezuma, Tambor and the Gulf
The southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, from Paquera and Tambor around to Montezuma, Cabuya and Santa Teresa, is small-boat fishing country at the mouth of the Gulf of Nicoya. Roosterfish, snapper and jacks are caught around the islands and points all year, and sailfish, dorado and tuna are a short run offshore, with the fishing quietest around the Cabo Blanco reserve, where it's banned.
At a glance
- Leaves from
- Beaches at Montezuma and Cabuya, the bays at Tambor and Paquera (no marinas)
- Inshore
- Roosterfish, snapper, jacks, mackerel
- Offshore
- Sailfish, marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna
- No fishing
- Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve
- Getting there
- Ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera, or a domestic flight to Cóbano
The peninsula's southern tip
The Nicoya Peninsula is the long arm of land that forms Costa Rica's northwest coast, with the Gulf of Nicoya on its inner side and the open Pacific on the other. Its northern half, around Tamarindo and Sámara, belongs to Guanacaste. This guide covers the southern tip: the quiet gulf-side towns of Paquera and Tambor, the bohemian beach village of Montezuma, the fishing hamlet of Cabuya, and the surf towns of Santa Teresa and Mal País on the Pacific side.
There are no marinas down here. Boats are pangas and small center consoles, launched from the beach at Montezuma and Cabuya or kept on moorings in the sheltered bays at Tambor and Paquera. Fishing is relaxed and personal: you'll often fish with the same captain who fixes the boat.
What you'll catch and when
The mouth of the Gulf of Nicoya is a meeting point of nutrient-rich gulf water and the open Pacific, and its islands and rocky points are good structure for roosterfish, snapper, jacks and Sierra mackerel. Those inshore fish are caught all year.
Offshore, captains run out past Cabo Blanco for sailfish, marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna. This area sits between Guanacaste and the Central Pacific, so fish can show up in both of their seasons; FECOP, the Costa Rican sport fishing federation, gives roughly November to April as the peak for the central Pacific and May to December for the north. Ask local captains what's been running.
Where the boats leave from
- Montezuma: small-boat fishing, diving and snorkeling trips launch off the beach in front of the village; book through local operators or your hotel.
- Cabuya: a fishing village near the tip of the peninsula, a short drive past Montezuma, where pangas fish the gulf mouth and the waters around Cabo Blanco.
- Paquera and Tambor: the calm inner-gulf side, close to the islands. Bahía Rica, a small lodge near Paquera, runs fishing trips with stays.
One rule to know: Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, at the tip of the peninsula, was Costa Rica's first protected area and is strictly protected on land and sea. Fishing isn't allowed inside it, so captains fish outside its marine boundary.
Carry your INCOPESCA sport fishing licence (buy it online), and check that the boat has life jackets and a radio.
A typical day
Most trips here start early from the beach or a mooring, when the sea is calm. Inshore, captains work the rocky shoreline and islands with live bait or lures, looking for roosterfish and snapper; the gulf-side waters near Tambor and Paquera are especially sheltered. Offshore, they run out past Cabo Blanco and look for birds, current lines and floating debris that hold dorado and sailfish.
Half days are common, and many captains will add a snorkeling stop or a swim. On the Pacific side, the beach launch can be wet when there's swell, so bring a dry bag and wear sandals.
Where to stay
Montezuma has small hotels, guesthouses and hostels within walking distance of the beach and the village. Santa Teresa and Mal País, about 30 minutes away, have the biggest choice of hotels and rentals on this part of the peninsula. Tambor and Paquera are quieter, with a few hotels on the gulf, and Cabuya has a handful of cabins for anyone who wants to be close to the fishing boats.
Getting there
- Ferry: from Puntarenas on the mainland, car ferries cross the Gulf of Nicoya to Paquera several times a day. From Paquera it's a short drive to Tambor and under an hour to Montezuma.
- By air: SANSA flies from San José to the Cóbano airstrip (listed as Santa Teresa-Malpais), a short drive from Montezuma and Santa Teresa.
- Water taxi: a fast boat links Montezuma and Jacó across the gulf, weather permitting.
- By road: from Liberia airport, it's a long but scenic drive down the peninsula.
Other things to do
- Montezuma waterfalls: a river hike to a series of falls just outside the village.
- Isla Tortuga: boat trips from Paquera, Tambor and Montezuma to this island for snorkeling and beach time.
- Cabo Blanco reserve: forest trails down to a wild beach.
- Surfing: Santa Teresa and Mal País are some of Costa Rica's best-known surf towns. Our sister site Santa Teresa covers the area in depth.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go fishing on the southern Nicoya Peninsula?
From Montezuma and Cabuya on the Pacific side, and from Tambor and Paquera on the gulf side. All boats are small and launch from beaches or moorings.
Can I fish at Cabo Blanco?
Not inside the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve. Boats fish outside its boundary.
How do I get to Montezuma from San José?
Drive to Puntarenas, take the car ferry to Paquera, and drive about an hour south. You can also fly to the Cóbano airstrip, or take the water taxi from Jacó.
What's the most common fish here?
Roosterfish, snapper and jacks inshore. Offshore, sailfish and dorado are the usual catches.
