Tarponville: Costa Rica Tarpon Fishing Lodge

Giant Tarpon on the Caribbean Coast

Tarponville Fly Fishing Lodge is Costa Rica's southernmost fishing lodge on the Caribbean coast within the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, just above the border of Panama. Tarpon weighing over 200-pounds have been landed on both lure and fly.

Lure or Fly Fishing at Tarponville

Tarponville is a full-service fishing lodge located on the border of Panama and Costa Rica on the Caribbean side. The Lodge is located on the coast on the upper river mouth in the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. They have beautiful shallow reefs out in front with fish in them. There are cuts in the reef and beach that you can swim and snorkel.
The Lodge specializes in large tarpon in shallow water. You'll mainly be fishing from a 24 to 28-foot Panga using floating or intermediate sink lines and casting to pods of working fish.
Tarponville Lodge Offshore, target tuna, dorado, and sailfish, and in the lagoons, target snook and snapper.
Bonefish and Permit Fishery: For an added fee of $110.00 for two anglers, you can take a 30-minute shuttle ride and get in three hours of flats fishing with a local captain. Bonefish, permit, triggerfish, and other species.

Click here for a 4-minute Vimeo Video about Tarponville Lodge.

Tarponville Fishing Facts:

Season: Tarponville has two fishing seasons—March through May and August through October. These periods take in the drier times of the year and calmer seas.
Boats: 24’ to 28’ super pangas with Yamaha motors. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Guides: English-speaking local guides.
Fishing: You're guided 7 to 8-hours each day. You can also fish unguided for baby tarpon in the lagoon using a kayak from the Lodge. Equipment: You’ll need to bring your own gear and tackle. A comprehensive tackle and gear list is included in our confirmation packet. The Lodge has 12-weight rods and reels available to rent for $35.00 per day with a $100.00 damage deposit.
Fishing License: is included in the package.
Typical Fishing Day:
At 6:30 a.m., you'll enjoy breakfast. At 7:00 a.m., you'll meet with you guide and take a short panga ride to the Sixoalo River mouth, about a 20-minute ride. Keep your eyes peeled as the tarpon can be seen feeding on bait or rolling anywhere between the Lodge and the river mouth. Once you are near the river mouth, the guide will scout the area for signs of tarpon (rolling fish, bait, birds, and boils).
At 11:00 a.m., you'll return to the Lodge for lunch and a siesta. At 2:00 p.m., you'll start another session of fishing. Water depths targeted are between five and 20 feet deep, with the color line being at the top four feet of water. On days with calm conditions, this allows you to fish with intermediate tarpon lines and even floating lines. When the tides start to turn and the fish turn on the "feed button," be ready. For typically an hour, they will eat any fly you put in front of them. At 5:30 p.m., you'll return to the Lodge. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is a complimentary beer and rum bar Happy Hour plus appetizers. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m.

About Tarponville Lodge

Tarponville Lodge is in the jungle under the canopy, a short hike from the water. Three hot meals are served each day. There are four double-occupancy guest rooms. The Lodge accommodates up to eight guests. Each room has two beds and a private bathroom. A ceiling fan encourages fresh coastal breezes in to cool each room. The Lodge is only a few yards from the water's edge on a beautiful beach perfect for fishing, swimming, snorkeling . . .
In the morning and evening, there are opportunities to see howler monkeys, sloths, a large number of bird species, and other wildlife, all from the Lodge's front porch.

Fly Fishing for Tarpon - Tarponville
2:42 YouTube Video

Getting to the Lodge:

Upon arrival at the Limon International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a Lodge representative. He will drive your group in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, a one-hour drive along the stunning Caribbean coastline to the village of Manzanillo. (The cost for the roundtrip ground transfer is $160.00 per person.) At the entrance to the Gondoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll be met by the Lodge staff. You’re guided on foot the last 200-yards down the jungle path paralleling the beach until you reach the Lodge.

2022 USD Rates:

Two anglers per boat and room

8-nights at Lodge
and 7-days guided fishing
$4,950.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room
$1,975.00 per person
7-nights at Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing
$4,400.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room
$1,750.00 per person
6-nights at Lodge
and 5-days guided fishing
$3,865.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room
$1,500.00 per person
5-nights at Lodge
and 4-days guided fishing
$3,350.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room
$1,250.00 per person
4-nights at Lodge
and 3-days guided fishing
$2,880.00 per person
Non-angler sharing room
$1,175.00 per person
For a single occupancy room with a shared boat - Add $100.00 per night to angler rates above.

2022 USD Rates:

One angler per boat and room

8-nights at Lodge
and 7-days guided fishing
$5,550.00 per person

7-nights at Lodge
and 6-days guided fishing
$5,025.00 per person

6-nights at Lodge
and 5-days guided fishing
$4,500.00 per person

5-nights at Lodge
and 4-days guided fishing
$3,900.00 per person

4-nights at Lodge
and 3-days guided fishing
$3,300.00 per person

Packages Include:

Lodging at Tarponville as specified in your package, all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages at the Lodge, daily Happy Hour (beer and rum), guided fishing, fishing license, use of boat per specified fishing days in the package, and laundry service.

Packages Do Not Include:

Airfare, airport reception (Limon), ground transfer between Limon and the Lodge ($160.00 per person roundtrip), accommodations outside of specified package dates, meals during travels to the Lodge, fishing equipment, gratuities (guides, staff, and shuttle driver), beer and rum outside of happy hour, phone use, Global Rescue, IMG Signature Travel Insurance, airport departure tax (approx. $29.00 to be paid at the airport if not included in the price of your ticket), and anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Sample Itinerary:

Day one: Arrive in San Jose and then fly to Limon. Take a shuttle to Tarponville. Check-in. Upon arrival and after a quick orientation, you'll get settled into your room, have lunch, and prep your gear for fishing.
Day two through the day before your departure: Enjoy seven to eight-hour guided fishing days on the water.
On your last day at Tarponville, after breakfast at the Lodge, you'll take the one-hour shuttle to the international airport in Limon.

Tarponville Lodge