Many of us who love Tarpon and tarpon fishing, have also experienced the crowding that can happen in some water and the lack of proper etiquette that should be shown to anglers working a school of rolling tarpon. NOT HERE! Imagine a beautiful river flowing through an incredibly beautiful jungle; a veritable highway for fish leaving the ocean to run up river to spawn, or to feed. Expect to have fish largely to yourself and your guide; and largely unpressured fish to boot!
Tarpon are known to reach over 50 years of age here, and fish in the 80 to 150-pound range are the norm; with fish over 200 pounds very possible. These are not the heavily pressured super educated tarpon many of us are used to. The river itself averages around 5’ to 10’ deep. Ideal depths to work with fly rod, or spin tackle. So when a 6-foot-long tarpon grabs your offering- they will hit the air, going high and often repeatedly. This lodge has been doing these trips for over 30 years and they have hosted many of the big name fishermen we all know of. They spare no effort to make you happy and are very family friendly. A great venue for family fun with superb fishing to boot. For variety you can also run into the ocean and fish around the river mouth for schools of fish; or take a 5-mile jaunt out to the reef area for many species.
This Lodge in Costa Rica is highly praised for its exceptional Tarpon fishing and overall experience, with many guests describing it as a fishing trip of a lifetime. Reviewers consistently highlight the abundance of Tarpon, the quality of the fishing guides, the delicious food, and the comfortable accommodations. The lodge’s location on the Rio Colorado, known for its strong Tarpon population, and the well-equipped boats and attentive staff, contribute to its reputation as a top-tier fishing destination.
Key aspects mentioned in the reviews:
• Exceptional Tarpon Fishing:
Many reviewers specifically mention the abundance and size of the Tarpon, with some describing it as the best Tarpon fishery in the world.
• Experienced Guides:
The fishing guides at the Lodge are frequently praised for their knowledge and effectiveness in helping guests catch fish.
• Excellent Service:
Guests appreciate the friendly and attentive staff, who go above and beyond to ensure a positive experience.
• Delicious Food:
The food is often mentioned as a highlight, with a variety of options available, including fresh catches of the day.
• Comfortable Accommodations:
The rooms are described as comfortable and clean, providing a relaxing space after a day on the water.
• Beautiful Location:
The lodge’s location on the Rio Colorado in a lush, tropical environment adds to the overall appeal.
• Other Amenities:
TripAdvisor reviews mention amenities like a pool, hot tub, and massage services, providing opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
• Well-Equipped Boats:
Excellent snook fishing, particularly in the river and near the river mouths. November and December are highlighted as peak months for catching snook in the 8-12 pound range. Anglers also report success with larger snook (25lbs+) in the fall, fishing near the river mouths. The lodge offers both back country and ocean fishing, with opportunities for other species like tarpon, Guapote, Machaca, Roncador, and Mojarra.
LODGING
The lodge sits on the banks of the Río Colorado, an isolated oasis of comfort surrounded by dense jungle. Elevated entirely on stilts, the property feels seamlessly integrated into its natural setting, with all cabins and lodge buildings connected by raised wooden walkways.
The lodge features ten well-appointed cabins, each offering twin double beds, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and satellite television. The main dining room and bar serve as the social heart of the lodge, while a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and dedicated massage room provide welcome relaxation after a day on the water. Scattered throughout the property are hammocks and deck chairs—along the dock and beside the pool—inviting guests to unwind between fishing excursions.
SEASONS
Both tarpon and snook can be taken any month of the year. But like fishing anywhere, there are never any guarantees, and at certain times of the year chances of scoring big are greater than others. The dry season, from January through May, is considered the peak season in the quiet river and lagoons for tarpon as the aerial acrobats swarm in by the thousands to spawn. We have also had some outstanding sport as late as July and early August on the inside, but in the fall the sea is calm and the fish move to the ocean, providing prime action along the coast. In other words, the fishing is good year around.
The snook are also present year around and are taken casting, trolling, surf fishing and even on flies. Small snook, called “calba” move into the rivers in November-December and provide furious action for two to three months, with 20 to 80 fish per rod not an unusual day’s catch. They average about five pounds, so light tackle is in order. But beware! There are always a few up to 30 pounds mixed in with the smaller calba. The best surf fishing and trolling in the waters near the river mouths is in the late fall, and that’s when the monsters from 25 pounds on up are usually caught. You’re also likely to tie into a big jack crevalle, bonita, dorado or mackerel while fishing in the sea.
Light tackle gamesters including guapote, mojarra, machaca, and drum are taken in the rivers, creeks and estuaries 12 months of the year, so don’t forget a light bait casting or spinning outfit.
TARPON
These are the king of all game fish, and there is no thrill in fishing to compare with hooking a tarpon. Set the hook hard when they strike, then watch the water erupt as they head for the stratosphere, leaping and twisting clear of the water eight or twelve times! Average size of the tarpon taken at the Lodge is around 80 pounds and fish to 207 pounds have been landed. You can expect to jump eight or ten fish a day, and when things are really hot, anglers often jump 25 or more tarpon in a day’s fishing. Only artificial lures are used, and all of the fish are lip-gaffed so they can be released after the photos have been taken.
Most of the action will be in the calm waters of the jungle rivers and lagoons, with monkeys and brilliantly hued birds to be seen in the vines and branches of the verdant, orchid draped trees that line the shore. When the fish are on the outside, your guide will often put you in the middle of a school of literally hundreds of leaping fish spreading over an acre or more of calm sea.
SNOOK
You will troll along the banks of the quiet jungle river or drift silently into a likely lagoon, plugging toward the brush. When the snook hits, you’ll know you have a real fish on the line as these sluggers know all the tricks, one moment bulldozing toward cover, then often reversing their field to break water as they try to shake barbs. Except during the calba runs, the average snook of close to 20 pounds. Thirty-pounders are not uncommon, and fish in the 50-pound bracket have been taken locally.
Hooking a snook in the surf as you stand waist deep in the warm waters of the Caribbean is an experience you won’t soon forget, especially since the fish in the surf tend to run much larger. They will circle and jump frantically, using the surge of the tide and waves to their advantage and testing the angler’s skill to the limit.
TACKLE
For both tarpon and snook, we recommend a six to seven foot rod, stiff enough to set a hook in the tarpon’s bony mouth, and a quality conventional or spinning reel spooled with 150 to 200 yards of 12 to 25 pound test line. A lighter bass outfit or spinning rod spooled with 6 to 12 pound line is suggested for small snook and light tackle gamesters, and a little longer rod is more suitable for fishing in the surf. The Lodge maintains quality loaner equipment if a visitor should be caught short.
Favored lures for tarpon fishing inside the river are Rapala Magnum 11 Series 14 in orange, red/white or silver and green mackerel colors. Two ounce Coasthawk lures are used in the deeper holes and 65M-11 Mirrolures are used when the fish are in the lagoons.
In the Caribbean tarpon will readily take a variety of lures with jigs being the most popular. Jigs should be one to two ounces with a strong short-shank hook.
Popular jigs are Bomber 1 to 1 1/2 ounce in white, green or yellow and 12 Fathom Shad Tail Jigs. Coasthawk and 65M-11 Mirrolures also work well. CD9 or CD11 Diving Rapalas can be slow trolled in the ocean for tarpon jack crevalle, or an occasional king mackerel or barracuda.
Snook prefer jigs in the surf and lures inside the river. Bucktail or shad tail 3/4 ounce jigs work best when casting. Bomber 600HD series in fluorescent orange or green and Magnum 11 series Rapalas are trolled inside the rivermouths for snook. During the calba run 1/2 to 3/4 ounce black/red bucktail jigs are the most productive. For casting in the lagoons, 7M model floating Mirrolures or similar lures are the best bet. Chartreuse or black/silver are productive colors.
A selection of “small” bass plugs and spinners including surface poppers and medium runners are effective for guapote, mojarra, machaca, drum and other light tackle gamester. Rooster tails, Rebel Teeny Crawfish and small floater/diver Rapalas are the favored lures. Hooks for all types of fishing should be very sharp, so take a file to the barbs ahead of time.
GETTING THERE
DAY 1- Arrive in San Jose. Collected and transferred to your hotel in San Jose. (Hotel not included)
DAY 2- Collected approx 04.30 and transferred to SANSA terminal for 30-35 min charter flight to lodge. Breakfast, orientation and fishing for a full day on arrival.
DAY 3-4- Two full days fishing.
DAY 5- Depart lodge after breakfast and return flight to San Jose. Transfer back to your hotel or international airport as required. International flights should not be scheduled prior to 12.00hrs.
2026 USD Rates
Season: The Lodge is open year-round.
Two anglers per room and boat:
3-nights and 3-days guided fishing $4,050.00 per person
4-nights and 4-days guided fishing $4,915.00 per person
5-nights and 5-days guided fishing $5,780.00 per person
6-nights and 6-days guided fishing $6,645.00 per person
7-nights and 7-days guided fishing $7,250.00 per person
One angler per room and boat:
3-nights and 3-days guided fishing $4,550.00 per person
4-nights and 4-days guided fishing $5,500.00 per person
5-nights and 5-days guided fishing $6,730.00 per person
6-nights and 6-days guided fishing $7,575.00 per person
7-nights and 7-days guided fishing $8,180.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion:
3-nights and 3-days guided fishing $3,000.00 per person
Additional day for non-anglers $500.00
Rates are subject to change without notice.
TRIP INSURANCE
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